Kohlrabi are flowering vegetable plants that belong to the plant family Brassicaceae and it originates from northwestern Europe, probably Germany, and it is one of the least popular plants that belong to this family.
This vegetable plant, kohlrabi, is an odd-looking plant that can reach a height of 6 to 18 inches depending on the variety and this plant is artificially developed through selective breeding.
The kohlrabi plant is a cruciferous vegetable that develops big leaves that look like that of cabbage with irregular wavy edges which can either be greenish or purple-greenish colored.
The name of this plant “kohlrabi” is derived from two German words “kohl” and “rube” which means “cabbage” and “turnip” respectively and they can be literally referred to as turnip cabbages which originate from the cabbage-like appearance of the plant and the turnip-like taste.
The edible part of this plant is the bulbous, modified stem that the plant possesses has been an important part of the human diet for a very long period of time and the leaves and leaf stalks can also be used as a garnish for dishes.
Kohlrabi is a vegetable plant that has fresh taste when young and they are a very good source of vitamin C and others in the B group and minerals such as copper, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Kohlrabi develops fruits that re 4 to 5 inches long and yellow or white-colored flowers that are arranged as clusters at the tip of the flowering stalk.
This plant is usually propagated via seeds and it can either be an annual or biennial plant depending on the growing location and this it is a fast-growing plant that will attain maturity within 55 to 60 days after sowing.
Kohlrabies are plants that grow well in regions with very cool climate and fertile, well-drained soil that receives direct sunlight in an appropriate amount and it is generally grown as a source of food – there are researches that claim that this plant contains certain substances that can prevent the development of certain types of cancer.
This plant can be grown on homes as a source of regular supply of vegetables; as an addition, after attaining maturity it has a shelf life of about 30 days.
In this article, we will take you through the steps involved in growing kohlrabi plants in containers so you should read further to learn more about them. Read and learn!
When is the right time to plant Kohlrabi?
Kohlrabi plants are early-maturing plants; however, planting can either be done directly into the soil or in containers.
However, regardless of the mode of planting, this plant thrives well under a cool climate that receives sunlight well. The right and appropriate time for planting kohlrabi plants are during spring or winter.
As a result of its early-maturing characteristic, this plant will be able to attain its matured height within the space of 2 months. Below are the perfect times to plant kohlrabi:
Spring:
Planting should be done as soon as the land is able to be worked or as soon as the winter season has passed.
Planting during spring will encourage the growth of a vigorous plant that does not have to experience frost – as long as the environmental condition is favorable it will definitely attain the desired maturity.
This is the perfect growing season for most plants as the environmental condition will be very favorable for the plant due to its cool climate.
Fall/Autumn:
Kohlrabi is a hardy plant that can tolerate mild weather to a particular extent so planting them during the fall will develop matured fruits before extreme frost sets in.
The kohlrabi plants should be planted either early or mid-fall to ensure that the plant attains maturity before winter sets in because the plant can be damaged by exposure to heavy frost if planted in the soil.
However, plants planted in containers during this season, if yet to attain maturity can be moved indoor under s more favorable condition for its development.
Varieties of Kohlrabi plants
There are two major cultivated varieties of the kohlrabi plants: white and purple varieties. This plant apart from its use as a source of food can be a natural way of adding a touch of color and class to your garden.
One important thing to note is that there is no true kohlrabi plant and each variety of this plant is developed through selective breeding. Below is a concise description of the two major varieties of the kohlrabi plant:
White variety:
This variety of the kohlrabi plant is also referred to as the light-green variety. This variety has a stem that is white in color which serves as the characteristic color of the whole plant at large.
Purple/violet variety:
This variety of the kohlrabi plant is very colorful – having a stem that looks stunning and attractive. The purple color of the skin differentiates it from the other variety.
NB: even though they are different varieties, they both have flesh that is creamy-white in color.
How to grow Kohlrabi in containers
Kohlrabi plants are interesting in their growth pattern and nature and they can be easily grown by following a few organized steps.
By making sure that the environment is suitable for the plant growth, in this section of the article we will take you through the steps to follow in growing kohlrabies in containers. Below are the steps for growing kohlrabi in containers:
Collect seeds of kohlrabi to grow:
You should collect seeds of kohlrabi plants or order seeds of this plant from a reliable store. Kohlrabi plants are usually propagated from seeds so you should make sure that you collect seeds of specific kohlrabi variety that you would love to grow in your garden.
Choose a well-sized container:
Kohlrabi plants develop large roots that occupy a lot of space so you should choose a container that is very wide and deep.
A container that has a diameter of 16 inches and a depth of 16 inches will work perfectly well for growing your kohlrabi plant and it will also provide enough space for effective root distribution.
The container to be chosen should have draining holes that will ensure that water is effectively released.
Select a suitable location:
Select a site that receives at least 5 hours of sunlight daily and the climatic condition of the growing location should be as cool as possible.
The spot where the container is to be placed must be open to sunlight and must be able to provide the necessary environmental factor needed by the plant.
Fill the container with growing mix:
Make an equal mix of cocopeat, perlite, and sand or add vermiculite to the growing pot. You can add compost to the potting mix so as to ensure that the media is as fertile as possible.
Make sure that the potting mix is not too compacted so as to ensure proper airflow within the soil profile and water the soil to keep it moist.
Plant the seed:
The seed should be planted at a depth of 1 – 2 inches so as to ensure the proper germination of the plant. Once the seed has been sown, cover the soil with potting mix and water carefully.
NB: germination will occur four days after planting has been carried out.
Provide enough space between plants:
Kohlrabi grows wide and large once germination occurs so you should leave appropriate space between plants to ensure efficient spread.
A space of 18 inches should be placed between neighboring kohlrabi plants to ensure plant growth and development. Plants that are too close might not grow well and won’t have enough space for spreading.
Feed your plant with fish emulsion:
If your aim is to grow a plant that is healthy and productive then you should provide a growth supplement that will encourage the overall development of the plant.
The fish emulsion should be supplied to the plant base every two weeks for the best result possible.
Water regularly:
Since this plant is grown in containers, ensure that you supply your plant with the right amount of water from time to time to ensure that it develops well. Always ensure that the growing mix is kept as moist as possible always.
Conclusion
Growing kohlrabi plants is very easy and convenient so you should think about growing one of these plants in your garden.
It is not popular but you will definitely enjoy its taste and nutritional benefit in your diet if you can grow it. Enjoy gardening in every possible way!
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
