Tree Collards

15 years ago

I keep seeing messages about these in the California forum. Anyone here grow them or tried to grow them? Is it too hot and buggy here for this perennial to do well in the summer?

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Comments (15)

whgille
15 years ago
Tom

If we can find the source to get them, we can always experiment them in our gardens.

What have we got to lose?

Willy
tomncath
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Willy,

I'm interested, just wanted to see if Ill-Mannered, Treefrog, Castorp or any of the other guru veggie gardeners had tried these things....
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Yes, the purple "tree" collard or "walking stick" kale is Brassica oleracea var. acephala. It has no oxalic acid. After reading this link, http://treecollards.blogspot.com/I realize that it might be a more accurate description if we called it a "headless cabbage tree" or a "walking stick cabbage," because it's more of a cabbage. A lot of people order the cuttings from California: Tree Collard Cuttings from Bountiful Gardens. Apparently Annie's Annuals in N. California is now also selling plants. But I got mine on craigslist from someone who already grew the cutting. Here is a good search methodology on CL. Go to the "for sale" section of your local craigslist and cut and paste: " collard|brassica collard|acephala|tree" It should pull up any ads for tree collards. The little line is like an "EITHER/OR" in search terms. If you are interested in perennial greens, here is another search term setup for craigslist: "alba|procumbens|Longevity|Malabar spinach|basella|gynura." It will search for longevity spinach and malabar spinach. This site has more information on pruning and care: http://richardsfarms.vpweb.com/Tree-Collard-Information.html
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scents_from_heaven
15 years ago
Tree collards: Tree collards produce a kale-like brassica leaf year-round in cooler climates. The leaves are good steamed, braised and in soups, stews and casseroles. Tree collards may not be as productive where summers are hot. Tree collards can be left to spread out along the ground, eventually occupying a large area with a mini-thicket 3 feet tall or so. Alternatively, where space is tight, tree collards can be trellised.
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
15 years ago
Tom and Willy--If you find a source, I would be interested in trying them too. If we do an experiment, I want to be in on it. I am growing Dinosaur Kale, also called Tuscan kale and it grows on a tall trunk by spring but I haven't seen it called a tree collard. If you haven't tried that one, it's a good one to grow.

Christine
scents_from_heaven
15 years ago
Tree collards generally do not produce many seeds and most starts are by leave or branch starts. I have found several peop;e pffering smal plants for an exorbitant amount but I am still searching for a seed source.
junkyardgirl
15 years ago
Here's a thread on the California forum that might help.

I would think that if they do well in California, they won't do well here because of the humidity, but I could be wrong.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree Collard Thread
tomncath
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi JG,

I'm afraid you're right. That thread is the one that sent me on this quest but everything I've read really does lead me to believe this is a temperate climate plant...still, I'd love to get one now while things are cool and then see how it goes this summer.
bama49
15 years ago
I am looking for anyone who has a start of the tree collard for sell to please e-mail me. I have not been able to find much information on this wonderfull plant HELP PLEASE.

Bama49
climbthemtns
15 years ago
I've sold a few to folks in NC. I'll find out how they are doing & left
you folks know. I've got more for sale. Send me an email.
climbthemtns
15 years ago
Here's a post I just left on the California Forum regarding Tree Collard seeds. (BTW, for the person that commented about cuttings being expensive, please try to understand how much time goes into growing them, getting the cuttings to root and THEN packaging them and mailing them. Here's the post:

I've had requests from Europe for seed. Well, a most unusual thing is happening with about ten or so of my three month old cuttings: THEY ARE FLOWERING!!!*** This is really unusual since I've only seen five year old or older plants going to flower and most of the time those plants only have a few flowers on them.

SO~ I'll have seeds available for anyone in Europe that wants some (and for you mates in Florida that would like to give it a try). My thought is that you MUST keep them in a shady part of your garden during the hottest time of the day (afternoon). One you get them going, you can make your own cuttings each year as you approach Winter. Send me your contact info so I can let you know when the seeds are available; me thinks about 3-4 wks or more.
tomncath
Original Author
15 years ago
Christine & Willy - I'm in, I've sent a reply, you two still interested?

Tom
whgille
15 years ago
Hi Tom
I am still interested. Do they grow year round? Say hi to Cathy.
S willy
tomncath
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Swilly, yes they are perennial, although I get the impression they prefer a temperate climate and won't produce well in the summer unless kept fairly cool, thus CTM's comment about perhaps growing them in shade. Cathy says Hi...we hope you're all having a great weekend :-)
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
15 years ago
tom ~ Yes, I already sent a reply too.

Christine
tomncath
Original Author
15 years ago
Hey Christine, did you ever get a response back on that email, I didn't. A gracious Texas GW'er has sent me a message offering a few leaves. I'm really interested but afraid that now it's getting too hot here to start them now. Since you and Silvia are 10-12 degrees cooler than I am at night the chances of survival the first year might be better with one or both of you. Why don't you girls discuss it and drop me a line if you're interested, then I'll add you two my email response, if youÂre interested.

Tom