Kalettes (formerly known as Flower Sprouts, Petit Posy, Brukale, or Brusselkale) are a hybrid plant brand name for kale sprouts. Bred using traditional breeding techniques, they are a cross between kale and Brussels sprouts.[2] The plant is touted[by whom?] as being a highly nutritious vegetable that may be eaten as raw or cooked. "Kalette" is actually a brand name for the vegetable "kale sprouts," which were introduced to the U.K. market in 2010 under the name Flower Sprouts.[3]
| Kalette | |
|---|---|
 Kalettes on the stem and also picked - photo by Tozer Seeds[1] | |
| Genus | Brassica |
| Species | Brassica oleracea |
| Hybrid parentage | Kale/Brussels sprouts |
| Marketing names | Lollipops |
| Breeder | Tozer Seeds |
| Origin | England |
Its flower-like florets are open to about 2 inches (51 mm) in diameter. Three bicolored varieties are planted for different harvest times: for early-season, mid-season, and late-season harvests. Decorative florets are optimized when planted in fertile soils with a pH above 6.5-7.5. In dry weather, the plants require careful fertilization and regular irrigation.
The hybrids were debuted by Tozer Seeds in England.[4] They were initially introduced to the United States under the brand name "Lollipops" which is currently in use. Several U.S. vendors, such as Johnny's Selected Seeds,[5] also distribute kalette seeds.