Crop type: Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group) ‘Korist’ AGM
Common name: Kohlrabi ‘Korist’ AGM
Crop slug: kohl-rabi
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Korist’ is a hardy biennial kohlrabi grown as an annual vegetable. It forms a globe-shaped green swollen stem with juicy white flesh and a mild, sweet flavour. Its long holding ability gives gardeners a useful harvest window, and the cultivar shows excellent resistance to downy mildew.
This is an early-sowing green variety rather than a purple kohlrabi. The smooth pale-green globe, white interior and leafy crown are its key harvest-stage features. The RHS profile displays an Award of Garden Merit.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The compact clump fits conventional vegetable rows, raised beds and large containers. Allow enough room for each globe to swell evenly without crowding its neighbours.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam, sand or chalk
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Choose light, free-draining, non-acid soil and enrich it with well-rotted organic matter before sowing. Keep moisture even while the stem expands: severe drying followed by heavy watering can compromise tenderness and uniform growth.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3 — hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK
A sunny, sheltered position supports fast, steady growth. The H3 rating indicates tolerance in relatively mild UK conditions, but young early seedlings still benefit from protection during cold spells.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The edible stem is globe shaped and green, enclosing crisp white flesh that is juicy, mild and sweet. Green foliage rises from the sides and crown of the swollen stem through spring, summer and autumn. The harvest-stage plant is grown for its distinctive stem rather than flowers.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassicas may be annual, biennial or perennial. Most are upright plants with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. The genus includes cabbages, turnips, mustards, oilseed rape and other important food crops.
Safety
No specific handling warning is listed on the exact RHS profile. Wash the stem and foliage thoroughly, trim the root and peel any tough outer skin before eating.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow seed directly from March to July, about 1.5cm deep in drills 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 15cm between plants. Green varieties such as ‘Korist’ can be sown early; alternatively, start seed indoors and transplant outside in May or June.
Maintain steady moisture and remove competing weeds so the green globes expand without stress. Its long holding ability provides some flexibility, but harvest while the flesh remains juicy and tender rather than leaving stems to become coarse.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Make small repeat sowings during the direct-sowing window for a succession of mild, sweet globes.
Suggested locations
- Sunny vegetable plot
- Raised bed
- Large patio container
- Early protected crop
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove only damaged leaves and lift or cut the whole swollen stem when ready.
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, cabbage root fly, cutworms, flea beetles, slugs and snails.
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root and leaf spot. ‘Korist’ is noted for excellent resistance to downy mildew, although good rotation, drainage and airflow remain worthwhile.