Meet my friend, Guy Lon

[digitS']

or, Gai Lan, Kai Lan, Kai Laan:

I guess this worked as a succession crop: Success with succession (click)

I've grown Guy Lon in the open garden from a spring planting -- poor results.

I've grown Guy Lon (South Seas variety) in a plastic tunnel from a spring planting -- wonderful results!

This is the first time I've planted in the open garden, late in the season. The plants are much, much smaller that when grown under the protection of plastic film! I really think that this region is too arid and with too cool of night-time temperatures for Guy Lon sown outdoors in the spring.

Guy Lon is a fairly close relative of cabbage & collards. It looks like collards to me but the flowering stalks are what are especially useful in the kitchen.

The plants in the photo are actually beginning to bolt. I'm surprised that they are doing that at this time and surprised that they are so small. Still, they are wonderfully tender and sweet! This will be the 3rd time we've had them at the table. I've been harvesting the thinnings and they have been very, very nice! Even tho' the plants are small, this must be a success !

Steve

 

[Greenthumb18]

Steve,

Looks interesting and it does look a lot like collards. I wonder how it tastes compared to collard greens?

Nice picture!

 

[thistlebloom]

Nice! Do you use them in stir fry?

 

[digitS']

Yes, Thistle' but it is so tender that a quick minute in boiling water is good, too. I bet some folks would be happy to use the thinnings in a salad .

My memory of collards is from quite a long time ago. I remember that it had a distinctive flavor not much like cabbage - quite different.

I'd say that Guy Lon is not a lot different from Bok Choy and similar also to Savoy cabbage.

Steve

 

[RidgebackRanch]

I grew some for the first time this year. It was delicious raw, steamed or sauteed.

A new favorite that will be grown again and again! Although quick to bolt here, it's also quick to grow another planting.