A 4000 years old Italian heirloom cabbage
Torzella is one of the oldest cabbage varieties from Italy (4000 years old) and is also known as cavolo greco or torza riccia. It is the ancestor of kale and is an essential ingredient in winter and autumn soups in Italy. Torzella is one of the many ancient varieties that were on the verge of disappearing and which are coming back and are grown again. This ancestor of Kale has an autumn-winter growing cycle. It reaches an average height of around 100 centimeters and a diameter of around 70 centimeters. The Torzella leaves look like kale with dark green curly leaves with bright yellow flowers and are incredibly easy to grow. It can resist very low temperature and is ideal for growing in cool regions. The kale variety Torzella can advantageously be harvested in stages since once the plant is well developed, the central shoot is harvested and that helps boost the growth of the smaller, secondary shoots.
Scientific Name: Brassica Oleracea
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 15-20C
Germination time in days: 7-12 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 70 to 110 days
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil requirement: rich and well drained
Sowing and cultivation: Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in regular compost indoor from the beginning of March to May and place in a propagator or a sunny window sill. Transplant when large enough to handle after the last chance of frost has passed
