Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group)Chinese broccoli
科:十字花科
Family:Brassicaceae
属:芸薹属
common name:Chinese broccoli
introduce:Plant Type: Annual
Family: Brassicaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Not found in the wild
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: -
Bloom Color:
Sun: Full sun (only)
Water: Medium moisture
Maintenance: Medium
General Culture:
Start indoors in April or sow directly after last frost. Needs fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Can tolerate heat, and if past seedling stage, several degrees of frost. One of the easiest of the flowering Brassicas to grow. Sow throughout growing season, from late spring to early fall, in rows four inches apart. Thin to four to six inches apart, harvesting every other one and allowing remaining to grow larger for picking over long period (as late as November).
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Plants can be harvested in their entirety young or allowed to grow into large plants for picking over a long period. Slow growing; 60-70 days to full maturity. For mature plants, take main flowering shoot first, just before flowers open, then two cuttings of resprouts.
Potentially subject to all the common Brassica pests and diseases, but on the whole is quite hearty. Is susceptible to downy mildew and readily bolts in warm weather.
Uses:
Young flower shoots, flower stalks, buds, leaves, and flowers can all be used. Can be prepared in salads or steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or cooked alone or with meat, chicken, shrimp, or prawns.
