What are the sun requirements for Brassica oleracea 'Redbor'?

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' need?

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' has Medium water needs.

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' (Redbor Kale) growing in a vegetable garden setting with its characteristic purple-red ruffled foliage

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Vegetables

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor'

Redbor Kale

Brassicaceae

F1 hybrid cultivar (Dutch breeding program); the species B. oleracea is native to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal Europe

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' is Redbor kale (red curly kale), a cool-season annual forming an upright rosette 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Deeply curled heavily ruffled purple-red to burgundy leaves 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) with prominent white midribs and blue-green undertones. The purple-red coloring (anthocyanins) intensifies in cool weather — the deepest color develops in fall and winter. In the mustard family (Brassicaceae). An F1 hybrid (Dutch breeding program) — seed does not produce true to type. The curly leaf form combined with the purple-red color distinguishes Redbor from green curly types ('Winterbor,' 'Vates') and from flat-leaved 'Red Russian.' Cool-season crop: bolts in sustained heat. Flavor and tenderness improve after frost. The deeply curled leaves trap soil and insects more readily than flat types — wash thoroughly before eating. Sow early spring through late summer. Harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again starting at 30 days; full-size at 60-75 days. Contains goitrogens (reduced by cooking). Cabbage worms (Pieris rapae), aphids, and flea beetles are the primary pests. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Full sun to partial shade. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

F1 hybrid cultivar from a Dutch breeding program. The species B. oleracea is native to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal Europe.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). The purple-red curly leaves for salads and cooking. F1 hybrid. Cool-season crop. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply curled heavily ruffled purple-red to burgundy leaves with white midribs and blue-green undertones in an upright rosette. The combination of curly texture and purple-red color distinguishes Redbor from green curly types and from flat red types. F1 hybrid. In Brassicaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Bolts in sustained heat or in the second year — yellow 4-petaled cruciform flowers. Bolting makes leaves bitter. Flowering is undesirable. Pinch flower buds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow, 4-petaled (cruciform), in terminal clusters when bolting

Foliage Description

Purple-red to burgundy with blue-green undertones; deeply curled and heavily ruffled; prominent white midribs and veining; the purple-red coloring intensifies in cool weather; 6-10 inches (15-25 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

60-75 days from seed to full-size leaf; 30 days for baby leaf

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Rich well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.5. Cool-season crop. Purple coloring intensifies in cool weather. F1 hybrid — cannot save true seed. Deeply curled leaves trap soil — wash thoroughly. Contains goitrogens. Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

Harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again starting at 30 days. Leave the central growing point intact. Remove bolting stalks and flower buds. Remove yellowed or pest-damaged leaves.