Hi All, I am interested in trying to grow some tree collards in my greenhouse. I would like to find a source of cuttings here in BC so that I can get a few started. Tree collards are perennials which, apparently, rarely set seed. They can stand a few degrees of frost, but perhaps not as much as we can get on the coast. They grow well outside in the southern US and in California. They can easily grow to over 6 feet tall and bear a nice crop of leaves year around. They can stand some shade in the summer. This is why I thought they might do well in my grape house. Shade in the summer, sun in the winter, plus they would have protection from the wind. I would hate to see what a gale wind would do with a 6 foot tall collard plant! If anyone knows where I could get a start or two, I would love to find out. Cheers!
Here's additional information on this plant for those wanting to know more: Tree kale, Perennial kale (.pdf)
Hi Dnumerow, No, I never did! Durgan's video above was very interesting. Maybe I can beg a couple of starts from him. Cheers, Barbara
I just ordered some seeds of both green and purple tree collards from projecttreecollard.org. They are located down in northern California. They say that their plants set a few seeds each year, but they do not isolate them, so the seeds may be a cross between other cole crops and the parent tree kale. I just have to grow them out and see. Ah well, they will be good to eat, I am sure. I will let you know how they turn out. Cheers, Barbara
So what sort of luck did you have with them? I've been interested in tree collards and thought of ordering seed from projecttreecollard.org.