{"product_id":"mustard-kekkyu-takana","title":"Mustard Seeds - Kekkyu Takana","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"aonsk-product-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKekkyu Takana folds crisp green leaves into a compact, wrapped heart rather than remaining an open spray of greens. The firm stalks and mustard bite make it useful for pickling, soups and stir-fries, while small leaves add a lively accent to salads. This Japanese mustard favors cool growing weather. Harvest some leaves early for the kitchen, or give plants room and time to develop their distinctive tightly gathered centers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA wrapped-heart mustard especially suited to pickling.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brassica juncea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaturity or display:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loose leafy rosette; size varies with harvest stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 in between plants; rows 18 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the variety\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKekkyu Takana is an open-pollinated Japanese heading mustard in the Kitazawa catalog. The supplier emphasizes its tightly wrapped center and pickling uses. It is distinct from loose-leaf mustard types; a documented original breeder or introduction year has not been established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStarting seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow 1\/2 in. deep in spring or late summer for a cool-weather harvest. Keep moist at 55-70 F; allow about 4-10 days to sprout. Thin to 12 in. apart, rows 18 in. apart. Choose sun and fertile, well-drained soil; water steadily and protect seedlings from flea beetles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare through the season\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain even moisture and remove weeds while small. Rotate brassica beds and use insect netting before flea beetles or caterpillars arrive. Grow for a cool harvest; heat and drought promote bitter leaves and premature flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvest and use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick a few young outer leaves from about 30 days, or cut the full plant around 55 days after emergence. Harvest before bolting; refrigerate promptly or pickle. Save seed from several healthy, isolated plants; dry mature pods and thresh before they shatter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSaving seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese open-pollinated brassicas are insect-pollinated. Keep several healthy, typical plants for seed and prevent crossing with other flowering varieties of the same species. Some plants need a cold period before flowering. Let pods mature, then cut and dry them under cover before they shatter; clean, label and store seed cool and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon problems\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck young leaves for flea beetle holes, aphids and caterpillars. Use row covers early, inspect regularly, and remove badly diseased plants. Crop rotation, drainage and steady watering help limit root disease and stress. A flowering stem means the leafy harvest is ending; use the leaves promptly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it form a tight head?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKekkyu Takana folds crisp green leaves into a compact, wrapped heart rather than remaining an open spray of greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I harvest?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick a few young outer leaves from about 30 days, or cut the full plant around 55 days after emergence. Harvest before bolting; refrigerate promptly or pickle. Save seed from several healthy, isolated plants; dry mature pods and thresh before they shatter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it flowering early?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain even moisture and remove weeds while small. Rotate brassica beds and use insect netting before flea beetles or caterpillars arrive. Grow for a cool harvest; heat and drought promote bitter leaves and premature flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Alliance of Native Seedkeepers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52508651782446,"sku":"OR22","price":2.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com\/products\/mustard-kekkyu-takana","provider":"Alliance of Native Seedkeepers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}