VEGETABLES

LEAFY VEGETABLES

Leafy vegetables are among the easiest to obtain and grow in the tropics. They are good sources of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, and B-complex, minerals, especially calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, and are low in carbohydrates and fats. Dark green leaves are usually more nutritious than lighter or yellowish leaves. Leaves often contain toxic substances, such as oxalic acid, nitrates, glycosides of hydrocyanic acid, and alkaloids. Most leaves should be boiled for 5-10 minutes to remove toxic substances and cooking water discarded. Many leafy vegetables are perennials and yield useful food with a minimum amount of labor. Leaf vegetables respond favorably to fertile growing conditions high in nitrogen, but excess nitrates, harmful to babies and small children, may accumulate in well-fertilized plants.

Originated in India and are abundantly cultivated in hot humid regions of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Fast growing, short-lived annual grown for the protein-rich leaves and plant tops. Leaves are also high in calcium and iron. The seeds of vegetable amaranths may be eaten but grain amaranth species are much better sources of seeds. Amaranths like sunny locations; germinating and growing best where day temperatures reach at least 21C (70F). Tolerant to high-aluminum soils and can withstand more arid conditions than most Amaranthus spp.; however, they require nutrient-rich soils, with potash and nitrogen in good supply. Mostly short day crops.
see Grains section for other Amaranths

Jamaican Calalu: Prolific, may have weed potential; less sensitive to day length; tasty stems. At ECHO, this variety was a good vegetable type.

Merah: 65-80 days. Round magenta ornamental leaves. Add for flavoring.

Perfecta: 50 days. Colorful leaves.

Greenleaf R108: White leaf vegetable.

Tigerleaf R135: Leaves are green with red stripes. (Rodale) Voted best vegetable amaranth in a 2005 ECHO observation trial.

Native to tropical Asia but now grown widely in the tropics as a perennial and in warmer temperate regions as an annual. Is not cold tolerant; and needs night temperatures above 14C(60F). Best suited to humid regions. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but does best on slightly acidic (pH 6-6.7) humus-rich sandy loams. It is easy to cultivate but a trellis is recommended. Seems to tolerate nematodes in some cases. The thick mucilaginous leaves are an excellent hot weather spinach substitute.

Basella alba Green Vines: 70 days. Green-stemed climbing vine with tender stems and succulent leaves. Also used as a thickening agent in the Orient. Likes heat and lots of moisture.

B. alba, Bangladesh variety: 70 days. large-leafed, vigorous variety, does very well at ECHO. Heat tolerant.

B. rubra: 110 days. Leaves stems and flowers are tinged red. Leaves are eaten raw or cooked. Can also be used for dye and jelly. May become weedy because of heavy seed production.

A Mix of B. alba and B. rubra is also available.

Cultivated on the East African Plateau and in parts of the east and west coasts of the African continent. Tolerates high temperatures and high humidity setting seed where other kales will not. It is also cold tolerant, capable of growth at an altitude range from 0-1600 m in Kenya, where rainfall ranges from 600-1600 mm (24-63 in). Young tender leaves and stem tips of Ethiopian kales may be eaten raw in salads. Older leaves and stouter stem portions are cooked and eaten like collards. Flowering stalks may be cooked and eaten like broccoli. It has also been used as a fodder crop species.

Grow best in cooler milder temperatures (15-18 C). Although, can tolerate hotter drier climates as well. Can tolerate annual rainfall between 500-4200mm. This crop is also fairly drought tolerant. Principle growing countries are Bangladesh, Central Africa, China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as southern Russia north of the Caspian Sea . Used in salads or cooked as a green; used also for oil.

Florida Broadleaf: A vigorous mustard well adapted to various condtions. Leaves are large and broad, with potential for processing and marketing. Open pollinated variety.

Brassicas in general are cool weather crops and heavy feeders. Will bolt in hot weather. In the tropics plant in the cooler months.

Everest: This is a hybrid broccoli variety. Can be harvested early in either hotter or cooler conditions.

Candid Charm: An adaptable variety of cauliflower with a dense, snow-white head. Can grow and produce in warm to cool climates. A hybrid.

Generally a cool weather crop, but some varieties that ECHO carries perform well in hot humid climates. Brassicas in general tolerate frost and light freezes. This crop stores well in a cool dry place.

Emblem: A green cabbage with a compact head and good internal quality. Market potential. Hybrid.

Regal Red: A red cabbage with a medium size head. Uniform maturity. Hybrid.

Summer Autumn: This hybrid is heat-resistant which can be planted year-round in tropical and subtropical areas. An early variety, forming 4 lb (2kg) heads within 65 days from transplant. Heads compact and semi-flat.

Summer Summit: Plants are medium sized, forming heads very early, can be harvested 50 days after transplanting. Heads are elliptical, solid and uniform. About 4 pounds with tender texture. Hybrid suitable for growing in warm weather.

Believed to have originated along the Atlantic coastline of Europe and the Mediterranean though it is now cultivated widely in Australia. Will withstand more heat than other Brassica species and is tolerant of light frost, which can actually improve flavor.

Collards:

Georgia Southern: 60-80 days. A non-heading variety with large cabbage-like blue-green slightly crumpled leaves. Slow to bolt. Withstands cold as well as heat and adverse soil conditions. A high yielding hardy type of excellent quality when cooked. 

Morris Heading: 52-85 days. Low growing 18-24 inch plants producing loose heavy heads with short stems. Very slow to bolt. 

Vates: A variety with a high yield potential. A widely adaptable collard. Grows up to 23 inches tall. Has a good regrowth after cutting.

Kale:

Vates Blue Curled (hybrid): Technically considered a kale. About 55 days to maturity; blue-green color with finely curled leaves; uniform selection and standard variety.

The leaves and stems are commonly used in oriental cooking. This crop prefers cooler weather and is a 30-45 day crop.

Joi Choi: A high yielding Chinese cabbage with glossy green leaves and broad white stalks. Uniform and slow bolting. Hybrid.

For cool highland regions; fast-growing, short-season. Turnips may be planted to follow early vegetables, but not after other root crops. They are best grown after clover, beans, peas or grass. They do best in fertile soils. In tropical climates grow during the dry season. Refer to Nonleguminous Pasture and Feed Crops for more turnip varieties.

Seven Top: An open-pollinated variety that is a good variety to grow for greens. Leaf is cut when medium dark. 45 days to maturity.

Asiatic in origin, it is heavily cultivated as a source of spinach in Indonesia and in parts of Africa today, especially in Nigeria, Benin, and Zaire. Does well in cool winter as well as hot summers. Killed by standing water. Serves as a broad leafed warm weather spinach substitute with high protein content. The leaves, young stems and young flower spikes are eaten. It can also be used as a food source for chickens. The first leaf harvests are made 4-5 weeks after sowing. Some weed potential because it reseeds itself.

Quailgrass/Lagos Spinach: Productive upright growth. This packet of seed is a mix. The greenish plants have milder taste while the reddish plants are more prolific.

Cockscomb: Produces large flowers suitable for drying. Leaves and seeds are edible. This is an ornamental species.

Native to Mexico. The young leaves and thick succulent stems are a good source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and C as well as niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. The entire plant may be ground, dried and used as animal feed. Tolerant of both drought and hot, humid weather. It will die back to the base from occasional frosts in subtropical climates but normally it survives, producing sprouts from the base. Chaya does not tolerate water-logged soils and has been killed by standing water of a few days duration. It tends to be highly disease- and pest-resistant.. ECHO’s variety has leaves without irritating hairs; sent as cuttings only; must boil leaves for 10 minutes and then discard the water before eating to remove cyanide. We’ve successfully sent cuttings around the globe, an ECHO favorite.

Native to Africa where it is widely cultivated in both wet regions of the Sub-Sahara and drier areas of North Africa. Young leaves and shoot tips can be eaten raw or cooked and contain high levels of protein and vitamin C. Leaves are shredded and made into a paste. Jute leaves can also be dried, ground into powder and stored for use during the dry season. It is grown as an annual, though it may act as a perennial in some locations. It can be planted at the beginning of the rainy season and will withstand the hot, humid months. It can also withstand some drought conditions and extremes in soil. The fibers can be used in twine, cloth and burlap.

Originated in Africa. The tangy, deep maroon leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and the flowers blended in teas or lemonade. The long taproots require deep, loose, well-drained soils for maximum growth. Tends to escape/spread easily.

Annual plant of southeast Asian origin with a tangy-flavored calyx used in drinks, sauces, or eaten fresh. The leaves are edible raw or cooked. Seeds are ground and used as a meal or as a coffee substitute in Africa. Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained loam. Fresh leaves contain 2-3% protein and traces of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. A short day plant that can be grown in temperate regions but will not produce fruit.

Originated in China. A fast-growing, self-seeding, upright, semi-perennial that will reach 2m in height. It is very productive. Young leaves can be eaten raw, but can be bitter. Older leaves are usually served with vinegar, steamed or boiled. Tolerates a variety of climates, but thrives best under warm, moist conditions. Also tolerant of high temperatures as long as adequate watering is provided. The optimum temperature range for growth is 25–30C (77-95F). If planted in well-drained soil, Indian lettuce can tolerate rainfall in excess of 3500mm/year. The pH level should be between 5 and 8. It appears to be highly resistant to nematodes and is a fair source of vitamins A and C.

*In more tropical climates crop should be grown during the cooler months.

Leaves are eaten raw. Lettuce thrives under cool, humid conditions and can survive a light frost. Long, hot days generally prompt plants to bolt (send up a flower stalk); the sap in the leaves turns unpalatably bitter, and the harvest ends. It needs regular watering and welcomes shade from taller crops. A rich, loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. Lettuce has a high water content and also contains vitamins A, C, and K, folacin, iron, calcium, fiber, potassium, and copper.

Lettuce mosaic virus is a seed-transmitted disease at rates of infection of about 10%. It first causes necrotic or chlorotic local lesions and streaking, then mosaic, vein yellowing and leaf malformation. Because it is probably distributed worldwide wherever Lactuca sativa is grown, we have designated which of our varieties is free of the mosaic virus (MT0).

Types of Lettuce

There are four types of lettuce: butterhead, crisphead, looseleaf, and romaine/cos. It is important to note that the looseleaf and butterhead types take the heat better than crisphead and romaine/cos lettuces.

Butterhead Types

Butterhead Lettuces (also called Bibb or Boston) are heading varieties, smaller than the crisphead, with a softer heart and soft-textured leaves; their inner leaves blanch to a golden-yellow.

Esmeralda MI (MTO): Boston/Butterhead lettuce which forms medium ,green, heavy heads. Leaf is smooth, round, and firm. Good uniformity and heat tolerance; slow to bolt. Tolerant to downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, and tipburn. 65 days. Plant 9-12 inches apart.

Crisphead Lettuces are heading varieties that produce a large, cabbage-like head of crisp leaves.

Anuenue: 50-54 days. Thick, crisp bright green outer leaves surrounding a large well-packed heart. Has a mild and juicy flavor. Resembles small iceberg but more heat resistant

Ithaca (MT0): 53-85 days. Medium- to large-sized smooth, flattened head with green frilled leaves. Widely adapted.

Queensland: Large spreading leaves with yellowish hue. Heat tolerant; from Australia. Late bolting.

Looseleaf Lettuces also called Perpetual or Continuous. They do not form tight heads; they generally have finely cut, frilled leaves that grow in loose rosettes and have a large spreading habit.

New Red Fire (MT0): 43-65 days. Large semi-heading variety with large deep red ruffled leaves that hold color even in adverse conditions. Widely adaptable. Good uniformity and weight. Late bolting.

Tall Guzmaine: Romaine lettuce with dark green, blistered leaves. Widely adapted. A cooler climate lettuce.

Moringa oleifera: Native to India. Most parts of the plant are edible. Leaves are high in calcium, vitamins A,B, and C. Young roots are blended with vinegar as horseradish and the seed can be used to purify water. It is drought-resistant growing well in infertile, dry soils to 1000 m. Can also be used as animal feed. Does not tolerate water-logging. Coppices well with a light crown density good for intercropping. It is not known to fix nitrogen. MS, LL, H

- Horseradish Tree: generic variety

- Horseradish Tree PKM-1 Selected for seed production and compact growth..

- Horseradish Tree PKM-2 Selected for extra long pods.

M. stenopetala: Native to Ethiopia. Larger leaves, providing more shade; stockier, bushier, more vigorous tree; leaves have milder taste than M. oleifera when eaten raw; more drought-resistant; has bigger seed but takes longer to produce.Elevation: grows wild 1000-1800m, up to 2000m. SA, MS, H

A climbing vine which does best in hot, humid zones; The pods, beans, leaves, tubers, and flowers are all edible. Can also grow as an annual in temperate regions if day-neutral strains are chosen. Winged beans have vigorous vines that need trellis support. Winged bean is drought sensitive.

Refer to Pulses for varieties available.

Leaves and young stem tips make a good edible green; grows as an edible hedge; flavor reminiscent of fresh peas or peanuts. Does extremely well in hot humid conditions; tolerates occasional flooding. An underexploited green leafy vegetable for very tropical conditions. Cuttings preferably sent rather then seed because seed has a low germination.

Not a true spinach, but young, succulent leaves and stem tips are an excellent hot weather spinach substitute; cook before eating; grows 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft) high; heavily branched plants spread to 0.6-1 m (2-3 ft) across.