In early 2011 I started the seeds of Brassica oleracea longata with the goal of growing a walking stick from Jersey kale.

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Early last year I wrote aboutplanting the seedsfor a Walking Stick kale ( Brassica oleracea longata ) with the goal of growing a 7 - human foot - improbable cabbage . Even though this plant did n’t strive the heights it does when mature in the Channel Islands , it did grow tall enough by theend of summerto pull it up by its roots as the first step in turning it into a real walking marijuana cigarette .

Now , after hanging for a yr in the basement to dry out , it was fourth dimension to see if what I had read was honest : the radical of Jersey kale dried so firmly they were firm enough to use as rafters or baseball squash racket . Could a tall kale , part of the cabbage family line , really be used as a walking stick ?

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When the leaves were remove , I was surprised to see how straight the stem had grow . It was hard to see that with the great leaves still intact . I was also delighted that the stalk had grown to just the perfect altitude for me to actually expend .

The beginning were a little unmanageable to escort off , so it probably would have been a good idea to transfer them while the flora was still fresh . It took just a bit of effort to cut them off – and that left the room smelling like cooked cabbage !

The stem was gently sanded to remove any spurs from the leaf scar . Because the stick is still a bit green , I ’ll hold off until it become whole brown before seal to preserve it . A cap call a collet was added to the tip to prevent wear .

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The process I followed for develop a Walking Stick kale and prepare it for consumption is the same method acting used in the 1800s to create a unique product available only in the Channel Islands . Several of those walking sticks were sent to England and the Kew ’s Economic Botany Collections still has four pin in its possession . And now I have one in mine .

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In 2011 I grew aBrassica oleracea longata, also called Walking Stick kale, Jersey cabbage and giant cabbage.Photo/Illustration: John Pendleton

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