Old Timey Blue variety description
Highly variable planting. Five of 11 plants have dark purple petioles, midveins, and stems. Among purple plants, one has a highly erect leaf habit and also much darker purple pigmentation including on the leaf blades while another plant has significantly more lobed leaves. Among green plants, one is very horizontal with large, blistered, silvery green leaves, while other plants are variable for leaf shape, lobing, and angle. Plants do not form heads and measure 13-23 inches tall and 22-42 inches wide. Average taste qualities. Some thought it was fruity, while others detected bitterness.
Old Timey Blue variety history
From Arnold Collums of Houlka, Mississippi. This variety of collards dates back at least fifty years, to the mid-1950s. Arnold thinks they are unique and “people say the flavor is a whole lot better than what you can buy.” In 2006, he gave seeds to Dr. Edward Davis, a professor of geography at Emory & Henry College, who was collecting heirloom collard strains for preservation on behalf of the USDA Accession. Seed Savers Exchange requested this variety in 2016 from the USDA Accession collection (G 33032).
Seed Status:
This variety has been successfully regenerated as is available on The Exchange. Click the button below to request this seed from the Seed Savers Exchange Collection.
I have been growing what looks like Old Timey blue collards for the past 30 – 35 years here in Florence S.C. We have always called them blue stem collards. The seeds were given to me by a co worker who got them from his Grandmother. She told him they came from her Grandma. I always pick out the best plants and let them go to seed and save them. Have to use a bird netting to keep the birds from eating them. They are very cold hardy and taste better than the usual standard varieties.
I came to this article to see if any of these collard seeds are available for purchase. Please let me know of anyone who wants to share or sell.
I would love to get some
I would love seeds of every variety