Is this a mustard green?
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Is this a mustard green?
Hello all,
I grew Lacinato kale, Russian red kale, Scotch dwarf kale, and collard greens from seed in the same tray. I planted them all outside and it seems that two of the seeds were not what they said they were! I didn't notice when I was planting them but my wife noticed when picking them.
I have attached photos. They have little white hairs on them. So I am guessing they're some kind of mustard green but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.
I grew Lacinato kale, Russian red kale, Scotch dwarf kale, and collard greens from seed in the same tray. I planted them all outside and it seems that two of the seeds were not what they said they were! I didn't notice when I was planting them but my wife noticed when picking them.
I have attached photos. They have little white hairs on them. So I am guessing they're some kind of mustard green but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.
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Canada Zone 5A
- bower
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- Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Re: Is this a mustard green?
Looks like a kale to me. Maybe a crossed seed? They should be good to eat anyway, if you like the flavor.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
- Pippin
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
My guess is Brassica napus (rapeseed/rutabaga green). From your list of kales, Russian red kale is Brassica napus (leaf form), the rest are true kales (Brassica oleracea). All are delicious greens to eat.
The leaf stems of the napus kales snaps/breaks exactly like in your picture, the texture is somehow different from other kales. Grows faster than other kales too. There are many leaf forms and colors of napus kales sold, and it is not uncommon to get few off-types. I have seen similar green individuals growing out from some red napus seeds.
The leaf stems of the napus kales snaps/breaks exactly like in your picture, the texture is somehow different from other kales. Grows faster than other kales too. There are many leaf forms and colors of napus kales sold, and it is not uncommon to get few off-types. I have seen similar green individuals growing out from some red napus seeds.
BR,
Pippin
Pippin
- Shule
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- Location: SW Idaho, USA
Re: Is this a mustard green?
My vote goes for cross-pollinated collard greens or kale. It looks a little too rubbery for mustard to me. But, I don't know how to explain the hair.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet
- stone
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
I often get surprises when planting when planting seeds that I purchased in bulk... but your pictures are typical of kale as stated above... The little hairs? I get those in kale...
- bower
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Michihili cabbage has lots of 'hairs', more like spines or bristles, on the outer leaves. I noticed them on napa cabbage too.
I suspect slug defenses.
I suspect slug defenses.

AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Thanks for your replies. I've added two photos of the two plants and one photo of the collard greens.
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Canada Zone 5A
- Shule
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
My vote changes to kale (in light of stone's assessment, and the new pictures).
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet
- pepperhead212
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Now that I see the new photos, with it getting more frilly, my vote is also for kale. The earlier photos looked somewhat like the senposai I grow (cabbage x komatsuna), but when I looked at mine closely yesterday, there were no hairs.
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b
- bower
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Seems on the money for a Scotch kale to me.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
- worth1
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Well has it been tasted yet?
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:34 am
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Re: Is this a mustard green?
Yes, and we're all still alive! It tasted like kale. But it wasn't any of the varieties I planted.
Canada Zone 5A