I got a call from an old gentleman several years ago that had a swarm of bees on a collard plant. When I arrived to remove the bees I found collard plants that were six feet tall. The old fella said he would simply go out and harvest what he wanted and let the plants grow. At that time they were about three years old!!!! He had no intention of cutting them down, either. :) This was in south Alabama so no hard winters.

Collards are tough!! I would plant it just the way it's laying, just to see what it behaves like through the winter and next spring..be a cool experiment.

Yes, I'll be putting in collards in the same bed in October, but I'll probably just leave that thick stem there, and see what happens to it.

those sprouts are quite tender, Dan, and in spring I enjoy them steamed. of course right now we are all swimming in veggies.