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.

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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.