Daubentons green kale - Brassica oloracea var. Ramosa
Daubentons kale is a very old variety of perennial kale that gives a tasty supply of greens all year round. Plants grow to about a metre tall but develop quite a horizontal habit as they get older, spreading and often rooting where branches touch the earth. They are very hardy and do not suffer much from pests, although they can be attacked by grey aphids in hot weather. Mildew can sometimes be a problem in mild damp autumns, but it disappears as the winter gets colder.
The green form differs from the variegated in structure as well as colour. The leaves of the green are slightly thicker and more convoluted, with more pronounced veins. Plants have a less upright, more sprawling habit.
A Daubenton’s kale plant will grow for many years and can be easily propagated by taking cuttings. Harvest tender leaves, leaving the biggest and toughest to support the plant with nutrients. Older leaves are best cooked but very young leaves can be eaten raw in salads.
Planting out
Kale plants can be planted out anytime as long as the ground is not frozen. Kales will grow in very low temperatures (if the temperature is above 6 degrees Celsius for even a few hours a day, you will see some growth). If you are planting out in summer, it is best to plant in the evening. Try to disturb the surrounding soil as little as possible and dig a narrow hole, deep enough to cover the top of the rootball with about 5cm of soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water before back-filling with soil. If there is strong sunshine, provide some shade for the first few days after planting. If it is really hot and the plants are wilting even in shade, you can cut a portion of the bigger leaves away to reduce the surface area through which the plant loses water. Either remove a few big leaves completely or cut them in half).
Propagation
To propagate perennial kales by cuttings, you can cut fairly large branches, trim all the leaves off except one or two of the smallest new leaves at the tip and simply push them deep into the ground. Smaller branches can be planted in pots (chose the branches lower down on the plant as these are usually a little woody and root best).
Spring and autumn are the best times for taking cuttings.
The green form differs from the variegated in structure as well as colour. The leaves of the green are slightly thicker and more convoluted, with more pronounced veins. Plants have a less upright, more sprawling habit.
A Daubenton’s kale plant will grow for many years and can be easily propagated by taking cuttings. Harvest tender leaves, leaving the biggest and toughest to support the plant with nutrients. Older leaves are best cooked but very young leaves can be eaten raw in salads.
Planting out
Kale plants can be planted out anytime as long as the ground is not frozen. Kales will grow in very low temperatures (if the temperature is above 6 degrees Celsius for even a few hours a day, you will see some growth). If you are planting out in summer, it is best to plant in the evening. Try to disturb the surrounding soil as little as possible and dig a narrow hole, deep enough to cover the top of the rootball with about 5cm of soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water before back-filling with soil. If there is strong sunshine, provide some shade for the first few days after planting. If it is really hot and the plants are wilting even in shade, you can cut a portion of the bigger leaves away to reduce the surface area through which the plant loses water. Either remove a few big leaves completely or cut them in half).
Propagation
To propagate perennial kales by cuttings, you can cut fairly large branches, trim all the leaves off except one or two of the smallest new leaves at the tip and simply push them deep into the ground. Smaller branches can be planted in pots (chose the branches lower down on the plant as these are usually a little woody and root best).
Spring and autumn are the best times for taking cuttings.
