Kohlrabi Purple Vienna – MIg

Description

Purple Vienna Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is a beautiful heirloom kohlrabi variety prized for its attractive purple skin, tender white flesh and mild, slightly sweet flavor. The swollen stem forms a round, bulb-like vegetable above the soil, making it easy to harvest.

The crisp, juicy flesh has a delicate flavor that is excellent eaten fresh, sliced into salads, slaws or vegetable platters. It can also be roasted, steamed, sautéed or added to soups and stir-fries. The young leaves are edible as well and can be cooked like other leafy greens.

Purple Vienna is a cool-season crop that grows quickly and is best harvested while the swollen stems are still young and tender. Allowing them to become oversized can result in a tougher texture.

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
• Type: Heirloom kohlrabi
• Skin Color: Purple
• Flesh Color: White
• Flavor: Mild, crisp and slightly sweet
• Growth Habit: Cool-season vegetable
• Best Use: Fresh eating, salads, slaws, roasting, steaming and cooking
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

When to Plant in the UAE

• Direct sow outdoors: October–December

Planting & Care Tips

• Sow seeds approximately 0.5–1 cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil.
• Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and early growth.
• Seeds generally germinate within approximately 5–10 days under suitable conditions.
• Thin seedlings to around 20–30 cm apart to allow the swollen stems to develop properly.
• Leave approximately 30–45 cm between rows.
• Grow in a location receiving around 6 hours or more of sunlight daily.
• Enrich the soil with mature compost before planting.
• Maintain consistent moisture to encourage fast, tender growth.
• Feed with a balanced vegetable fertilizer during active growth.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of good bulb development.
• Monitor plants for common brassica pests such as aphids and caterpillars.
• Harvest when the swollen stems reach a useful size but are still young and tender.
• The leaves can also be harvested and cooked while young.