Asian Leafy Vegetables: Chinese Kale（芥兰）

Chinese Kale（芥兰）also known as Kai Lan or Chinese broccoli is a very popular Asian leafy vegetable used in Cantonese  cuisine. It belongs to the Brassica Oleracea species. It is a rich source of vitamin C and is believed to detoxify the body and lower the risk of cancer.

It grows well in tropical weather with lots of sunshine. Its typical growing period, from seeds to full grown size and ready to harvest is about 8 to 12 weeks. A well grown Chinese Kale can grow up to a diameter of 35 cm with full sunlight, so remember to allocate enough spacing between the seedlings. Typical size is about 20 to 25 cm in diameter.

Materials you need

· At least a space of approximately 2m by 1m for about 32 seedlings at a garden plot, balcony area or roof top garden.

· In Singapore, you can either grow the vegetable from seeds or buy the seedlings from professional seed plug transplants provider like farm 85

· This illustration is designed and documented using a green house garden lot. The vegetables are grown from seeds from Thailand as well as using ready seedlings from Farm 85.

 Fig.1 Seeds from Thailand JJ Market

Step 1: Use a small gardening pot to seed the vegetable (about 20cm diameter pot for up to 40 seeds). Leave the pot at a sunny spot ( ~ 28 to 32 degree). The seeds take about 4 to 8 days to germinate. Assuming a germination rate of 80%, you will have at least 32 seedlings with 40 seeds. It will take about 14 to 20 days to grow into seedlings, ready for transplant.

Fig. 2 Seeds spread out in pot (above, seeds in red circle) and Seedlings ready for transplant on day 18 (below)

Step 2: Water the planting plot with lots of water. You need about 20L of water to 2m x 1m space. Gently loosen the soil with a gardening spade and water with another 10L of water. Dig small holes about 20 to 25 cm apart. This ensures each seedling have sufficient space to grow.

Transplant the seedlings from the pot in Fig.2 to the ready planting plot. You need to prepare the soil 1 to 2 weeks before the actual transplant. Refer to how to prepare the soil or plot in this blog.

Fig. 3 Seedlings layout immediately after transplant. Seedlings developed from seeds (above in pot) and ready seed plug transplant purchased from Farm 85 (below in plot)

Step 3: On a bi-weekly basis, fertilise the seedlings. Refer to how to prepare the liquid fertiliser here.

Fig. 4 On week 1 of transplant ( week 3 after first seeded) for self seeded seedlings (above in pot) and seedlings developed from seed plug transplant (SPT in short, bottom)

 

 Kai Lan is typically very resistant to pests like black/golden beetles because their leaves are harder as compared to that of other leafy Pak Choy. However, they are very susceptible to aphids attack. Do check the under leaf regularly to keep aphids at bay. Wash the aphids off the leaves by spraying the under leaf with jets of water or with organic pests spray.

Fig. 5 Seedlings developed from SPT (from left to right) on week 2, 3 and 4. 

Step 5: Continue to water and fertilise the vegetables. The vegetables will be ready for harvesting 5 to 6 weeks after transplant or maximum 11 weeks after seeding. The biggest plant within a batch can grow up to about 30 to 35cm diameter and 30 to 40 cm height. Typical size will be about 20 to 25 cm in diameter and 25 to 30 cm in height for the garden/green house plot.

 

Fig.6 Chinese Kale ready for harvest  after transplanted for 5.5 weeks for seedlings seeded from seed plug transplant(above left and closed up on above right) and 8 weeks after seeded(below)

 

Like all green vegetables, harvest the greens by pulling the whole plant out and cut off the roots. Spread out the vegetables on a piece of newspaper. Let them air for half a day in a cool place. Do not place it under the sun and do not wash them. You will know if the vegetables are ready for storing when the leaves soften and their size seem to have shrunk.

Fig.7 Harvested giant Chinese Kale measuring approximately 35 cm diameter ( the pot base in the background is 30 cm in diameter)
 

Prepare a plastic air tight container and place the vegetable loosely into the container. Do not press them. Cover them and place it in the refrigerator.

Remove the the vegetable at least 1 hour before cooking. Soak them in water and let them expand (typically takes at least 30 mins). Cut/slice and cook as per normal. 

Disclaimer:

Information are documented to the best of my ability and your result may varies.

Products and brands mentioned directly or indirectly in this blog reflects the experience of the author and does not represent the views of the individual merchants. There are many factors like seeds condition, weather, actual soil mixed, individual planting habits etc which may affect your results.