Asian vegetable Pak Choi [Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis]

The annual Asian mustard vegetable 'Pak Choi' is a fast-growing close relative of Chinese cabbage and forms smaller, looser heads. The taste is nutty, mild and spicy with a slightly bitter note. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing in autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
The Asian vegetable 'Pak Choi' is an annual cabbage variety that originally comes from southern China and has been cultivated since the 5th century AD. The close relative of Chinese cabbage forms loose heads with light leaf ribs. The aromatic, dark green, large and crisp leaves are a nutty, spicy and slightly bitter addition to mixed salads and stir-fried vegetables and can be prepared in a similar way to chard or fresh spinach. Pak Choi is hardy in mild climates, but in cooler areas the variety requires light winter protection. Not suitable for storage.

 General information 
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 50 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -5°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 0.5-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 7-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Basil, Marigold, Tagetes, Rosemary, Spinach, Soy, Bean, Pea
Unfavorable mixed culture: Kohlrabi, Onion, Garlic, Mustard, Horseradish, Radish, other types of cabbage

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is possible. Pre-cultivation in the autumn when temperatures drop from September to November is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location protected from the wind.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is possible. We recommend pre-cultivating in the autumn from July to September and planting for overwintering from mid-September to early October. The ideal location for the plants is sheltered from the wind and sunny.

 General recommendations 
Dense direct sowing in rows or broadcast sowing is possible, harvesting similarly to lamb's lettuce. Pre-cultivation and subsequent planting out at the specified planting distance is recommended. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible cabbage leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Asian mustard vegetable 'Pak Choi' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Pak Choi is harvested as a whole head. To prevent cabbage flies from laying eggs, it is advisable to use vegetable protection nets. To quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is advisable to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich and constantly moist soil fundamentally promotes growth. Fertilization is not necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis
English names: Asia mustard vegetable 
German names: Asiatisches Senfgemüse
Portuguese names: Vegetal de mostarda asiática
Spanish names: Verdura de mostaza asiática
French names: Légume moutarde d'Asie

 Origin 
Country: Portugal