Kohlrabi Grand Duke, also known as Cabbage-Turnip or Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes, is an annual, cool-weather cruciferous vegetable. This plant flourishes in the greenhouse and garden with careful attention to temperature and irrigation. Grand Duke is disease resistant, matures early, and is suitable for spring and fall plantings. Each plant produces edible greens and a tender, above-ground bulb 2-4" in diameter, similar to turnip in appearance and cabbage in flavor. Kohlrabi is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C raw in salads or steamed, freezes well, and keeps for several weeks in the refrigerator.
Kohlrabi Grand Duke Selling Tips
Sell Kohlrabi Grand Duke to customers looking for a spring and fall crop for the vegetable garden or a disease-resistant Kohlrabi variety. Grand Duke offers early maturity in 48-55 days, disease resistance, excellent vigor, and good nutrition and flavor. This above-ground bulb also offers greens well-suited for salads and cooking as it matures. Harvest the bulbs before mid-summer, when they reach 2-3" for spring plantings. Leave bulbs until they are 3-4" for fall plantings, as Kohlrabi is cold hardy to 0 degrees. This plant does well in well-drained soil in the vegetable garden or containers and holds well without becoming woody. Plant alongside Celery, Lettuce, Onion, Mint, Sage, and Marigold.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 12" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Water regularly, once or twice per week or more often in extreme heat and less often in rainy weather.
3. Start spring plants in the ground early enough so they'll finish before the hottest part of summer.
4. Remove the outer two layers of hard, green flesh and eat the tender, white inside raw or cooked. Greens are also edible and can be harvested apart from the bulb as the plant matures. For long-term storage, chop the bulb and blanch the pieces for one minute before freezing for up to 12 months.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Kohlrabi Grand Duke, plant one rooted liner per 4-inch container or 1801. Use a well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5, light feed (100-130 ppm N), and temperatures of 60-70 daytime and 40-50 nighttime. Don't pinch or use PGRs. You may see aphids and whiteflies. This plant is black rot tolerant.
Flowering
This plant is grown for its edible foliage and bulb.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration to the soil level of each plant.
Height Control
We don't recommend using PGRs on vegetables.
Pests
You may see aphids and whiteflies in the greenhouse.
Disease
This Kohlrabi variety is black rot tolerant. Take preventative measures in your greenhouse to prevent the spread of disease. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse. Space containers to allow sunlight to penetrate to the soil level of each plant.
Planting Kohlrabi Grand Duke Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch container or 1801. Use a well-drained soil and center the seedling in the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Kohlrabi Grand Duke Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 4-5 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Fall, Spring |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 12-18 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 40 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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