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Brassica rapa (Chinensis Group)

Phonetic Spelling
BRAS-ih-ka RAY-puh
Description

Pak Choi is a group of plants in the mustard family consisting of various widely cultivated species including pak choi, bok choy, Chinese celery cabbage, Chinese white cabbage, mustard cabbage and choysum. They are annuals to biennials and most grow as a loose head of leaves on a pale stalk. They are grown as a food source commercially or in the home garden.

The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage.

Pak Choi grows well in full sun to partial shade as well as moist, well-drained soil. Optimal soil pH is 6.0-7.5. While it grows slower in less light, it can easily tolerate as little sun as 2 hours a day. Pak Choi needs consistent water in order to develop good texture, taste, and avoid tip burn. Water regularly during dry weather.

Plant in spring or fall in fertile moist soils either by directly sowing seeds or using transplants. As they can tolerate light frost, they can survive early spring or late fall plantings. Bury seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in deep and space or thin plants to 6 in apart. Pak Choi can also be grown in containers of a minimum size of 1 gal and depth of 20 in. Plants will mature in about 60 days. Row covers will help decrease insect damage.

These are great fall and spring plants for the southern garden and can be picked at various stages from young to mature, either one leaf at a time for a continuous harvest or the whole head at once. If harvesting the leaves, take the largest, outermost ones first. If the plant bolts before harvest, you can harvest the head before the flowers open and use as normal. 

Problems, Pests and Diseases: aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles, and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers, cutworms, and beet armyworms. Slugs and snails may also be a problem. Diseases include club root, white rust, leaf spot, and rots such as damping off and bacterial soft rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#edible flowers#vegetable garden#edible fruits#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#partial shade tolerant#container vegetable garden#problem for horses#container plant#full sun#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#edible flowers#vegetable garden#edible fruits#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#partial shade tolerant#container vegetable garden#problem for horses#container plant#full sun#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brassica
    Species:
    rapa
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Edibility:
    Leaves and stems are edible raw or cooked. While flowering is undesirable, the flowers can be eaten in salads or as garnish as well. It can be stored in the fridge for one to two weeks, but it quickly loses quality in storage.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The beaked fruit is dry and splits open when ripe. Contains anywhere from 10-30 seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small yellow 4 petaled flowers. Plants are generally harvested before blooming occurs.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Orbicular
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Varies per cultivar. Dark green to light green leaves on thick, white to pale green stalks.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Problem for Horses