Crane Pink Ornamental Kale is an F1 hybrid brassica that transforms your autumn garden into a palette of rich, sophisticated color. Rising 24 to 36 inches tall with a bushy habit, this variety is prized for its striking appearance in long-lasting cut arrangements rather than the dinner table. It reaches harvest maturity in 90 to 110 days, giving you a generous window to grow and enjoy it. The magic happens when temperatures drop below 50°F, triggering the deep, lovely coloring that makes these plants so sought after for fall bouquets.
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Moderate
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36in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The real story here is timing and temperature. While Crane Pink develops into an attractive plant during summer, it doesn't reveal its true character until autumn's chill arrives. Once temperatures dip below 50°F, the foliage transforms into the rich, jewel-toned colors that make it a florist's favorite. This means you're not just growing food or ornamental greenery; you're cultivating living color that intensifies as the season progresses.
Crane Pink Ornamental Kale shines as a long-lasting cut flower for autumn and early winter arrangements. Rather than harvesting for eating, gardeners grow this hybrid primarily for floral design and home decoration, where its substantial stems and colorful foliage hold up beautifully in bouquets and dried displays.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to transplant outdoors. After germination, maintain cooler growing conditions of 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) for 3 to 4 weeks to encourage stocky, healthy seedlings.
Transplant seedlings into the garden at their scheduled time. Space plants 4 inches apart to allow adequate room for development.
Direct seed approximately 3 months before your expected fall or winter frost date, allowing plants time to mature before autumn cold triggers their color development.
Harvest stems once the plants have achieved the rich coloring characteristic of this variety, which occurs after temperatures consistently drop below 50°F. Ideally, plants should have developed a 6-inch head on a 24-inch stem with full, vibrant coloring before cutting for arrangements. Cut stems at the base with a sharp knife, making clean cuts to extend vase life.
When plants reach 10 to 12 inches in height, remove the lower leaves. Repeat this leaf removal process 3 or 4 times as the season advances, which encourages the plant to invest energy in upper foliage and stem development.
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