Mustard Red Giant ( Brassica juncea ) is an annual vegetable grown for its spicy leaves and as an ornamental. This variety of Mustard Greens is popular for its reddish purple colour and horseradish-like flavour. The leaves are tender and can be added into stir-fry’s, sandwiches, salads or used to make a hot mustard sauce.
Mustard Red Giant is fast growing and can be harvested within 6-8 weeks. Like most mustards, the Red Giant is an excellent source of Vitamins C and K, and research has found that Mustards can help prevent heart disease.
Another side benefit of the Red Giant is that it can be cut down as it dies off in late-Autumn and used as a nitrogen-rich green manure.
Other Mustard varieties available are Lime Streaks, Tendergreen and Japanese Mustard.
Growth
Mustard Red Giant is a cold hardy vegetable that grows to 90 cm (3 feet). It requires moist, but well drained soil and prefers full sun, although tolerates some shade. In some climates, Mustard can be harvested all year round but grows best when sown to avoid hot sun and cold frosts.
All mustard greens, especially the red varieties, are cool season annuals and can tolerate light frosts for short periods. Giant Red Mustard can be harvested from 6-8 weeks from sowing and is slow to bolt. Seedlings should be spaced around 20cm apart.
As weather becomes too hot or cold, Mustards will turn to seed and start again when the temperatures suit.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
7 to 27°C / 45 to 80°F can withstand light frosts and hot temperatures for short periods.
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be loose and well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun will tolerate some shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 90 cm’s (3 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 12 cm’s (5 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind.
MATURITY:
Average 6-8 weeks.
GERMINATION RATES:
92%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days at temperatures between 10-23°C / 50-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT BRASSICA JUNCEA (Mustard Red Giant)
For a milder taste, harvest Mustard Red Giant leaves when they are young as they get hotter with age.
Blending Mustard Red Giant leaves with oil makes a hot mustard sauce that tastes like horseradish.
Mustards are part of the same plant family as Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Kale.
Although often called Japanese Mustards, most mustards originate in China.
