SeedsWholesale

Chinese Broccoli or Kailan

Kai-lan (Traditional Chinese: 芥蘭; Simplified Chinese: 芥兰; pinyin: gaìlán; literally "mustard orchid"), also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale, is a slightly bitter leaf vegetable featuring thick, flat, glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems and a small number of tiny, almost vestigial flower heads similar to those of broccoli. As a group of Brassica oleracea kai-lan is of the same species of plant as broccoli and kale. Its flavor is very similar to that of broccoli, though not identical, being a bit sweeter.

Kai-lan is eaten widely in Chinese cuisine, and especially in Cantonese cuisine. Common preparations include kai-lan stir-fried with ginger and garlic, and boiled kai-lan served with oyster sauce. Unlike broccoli, where only the flowering parts are normally eaten, with kai-lan the leaves and stems are eaten as well, normally sliced into bits the proper size and shape to be eaten with chopsticks.

The pronunciation kai-lan and its alternate version gai-lan are Cantonese.

Although it is not widely available in Western markets, Chinese broccoli is quite versatile and is very common in Asia. A member of the mustard family, this handsome vegetable can be prepared much as you might prepare broccoli, although it looks more like kale. The flavor is a bit stronger than Western broccoli—peppery and pungent in the aftertaste. It's delicious—and most typical—in a stir-fry, but also makes a tasty addition to a fresh salad.

Description

Deep green leaves and flower buds are edible. The plant is suitable for home garden and tolerant to heat drought and cold.

The plant is easy growing and can be planted all year round. Seeds germinate in 3-4 days at 20-35 degC. Can be harvested 40 days later.

Chinese broccoli Brassica oleracea

Chinese broccoli is also known as Chinese kale, floweing kale (English) kailan (Cantonese), Gai lan, Jie lan (Mandarin), cai rô (Vietnamese), and Kat Na (Khmer). This crop resembles our more familiar broccoli with a longer stem and very small head. Unlike many other Asian greens in the Brasica family, this crop has a thick stem like cole crops that originated in the Mediterranean, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts ("cole" means stem in old English). It is believed that early Portuguese explorers brought cabbage to Asia and through generations of selections it has developed into Chinese broccoli.




Production
Direct seed and thin to 4 to 15 inches apart in the row and nine inches to two feet between rows, depending on the size of plant desired. The stem is harvested just as the flowers emerge. Like European broccoli, Chinese broccoli can be harvested multiple times. When the main shoot is harvested the first time, auxiliary shoots grow, which can be harvested two more times. Shoots will be smaller each time. Large-scale production will harvest once and use multiple plantings for constant supply.

For information on production and management of Chinese broccoli, refer to the The New England Vegetable Management Guide and click on "Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Minor Cole Crops".


Seed Sources
There are many open-pollinated varieties of Chinese broccoli available. One disadvantage to open-pollinated varieties is that the inflorescence will appear at different times. This makes harvest much more difficult.

Several varieties are available from Evergreen Seeds. The two more common hybrid varieties available in the States are "Kailan" and "Green Lance".

Found in: China Vietnam Laos Cambodia

Chinese Broccoli

Chinese broccoli has other names such as gai lohn, kai lan, and Chinese kale. It is one of the oriental vegetables that seem to do well in Florida gardens, particularly during the fall and winter.


DESCRIPTION
The plant resembles regular broccoli, although the leaves appear to be a bit broader and the stems somewhat longer than broccoli. The flowers form first into diminutive heads and then elongate rapidly into flower stalks bearing yellow flowers.

CULTURE
Chinese broccoli is a cool season vegetable that should be grown like regular broccoli. Pests, such as cabbage loopers, which bother regular broccoli, also attack the Chinese version. It seems to do well on plastic mulch if given adequate moisture. Space plants 6 inches apart in rows 12-24 inches wide.

Chinese broccoli.

HARVESTING AND USE
Harvest the flower stalk just before the flowers open. A few open buds do not reduce the quality. Leave a 4 to 6 inch portion of the flower stem attached. These stems are usually split before stir-frying or using in other cooked dishes.

Packet 2g 1000 seeds $2.95

Problems

Aphids—Watch for buildup of colonies of aphids on the undersides of the leaves. More information here

Cabbage worms—Three species of cabbage worms (imported cabbage worms, cabbage loopers and diamond back moth worms) commonly attack the leaves and heads of cabbage and related cole crops. Imported cabbage worms are velvety green caterpillars. The moth is white and commonly is seen during the day hovering over plants in the garden. Cabbage loopers ("measuring worms") are smooth, light green caterpillars. The cabbage looper crawls by doubling up (to form a loop) and then moving the front of its body forward. The moth is brown and is most active at night. Diamondback worms are small, pale, green caterpillars that are pointed on both ends. The moth is gray, with diamond-shaped markings when the wings are closed. The damage caused by diamondback larvae looks like shot holes in the leaf.

The larval or worm stages of these insects cause damage by eating holes in the leaves. The adult moths or butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves but otherwise do not damage the plants. The worms are not easy to see because they are fairly small and blend with the cabbage leaves. Cabbage worms are quite destructive and can ruin the crop if not controlled. They are even worse in fall plantings than in spring gardens because the population has had several months to increase. About the time of the first frost in the fall, moth and caterpillar numbers finally begin to decline drastically.