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Celery Cabbage Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group)

Phonetic Spelling
BRAS-ih-ka RAY-puh
Description

The Pekinensis group of Brassica rapa is in the mustard family and goes by various names which sometimes overlap with the Chinensis group. They include Chinese Cabbage, Celery Cabbage, Napa Cabbage and Bok Choy. This group grows as broadleaved, compact heading types of Chinese cabbages.  The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage.

They are cool weather plants that will tolerate light frost and should be grown in the spring or fall. Plant in fertile well-drained soil in full sun and water as needed to keep the soil moist. Row covers are helpful to decrease insect problems. Use transplants in the spring or start seeds inside 6-7 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds can be direct sown for a fall crop.  A row cover can protect the plant from cold temperatures.  

This variety produces a dense, tall, barrel-shaped head.  The leaves that grow in an erect form are pale, thin and tender.  It can be harvested when the heads are a usable size.  They should feel firm and dense.  If not, they need more time before harvesting.  Once mature, harvest promptly as it tends to lose its quality.  The appearance of a flower stalk, calling bolting, signals the end of leaf growth, leaving the leaf with a bitter taste.  

Problems, Pests and Diseases: aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles, and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers, cutworms, and beet army worms. 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:
  • 'Blues F1'
    Early season variety, blue/green leaves.
  • 'Chinese Express'
    Glossy leaves, late-season variety.
  • 'Monument'
    Tall, narrow heads, mid-season variety.
'Blues F1', 'Chinese Express', 'Monument'
Tags:
#vegetable garden#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#partial shade tolerant#problem for horses#sun#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blues F1'
    Early season variety, blue/green leaves.
  • 'Chinese Express'
    Glossy leaves, late-season variety.
  • 'Monument'
    Tall, narrow heads, mid-season variety.
'Blues F1', 'Chinese Express', 'Monument'
Tags:
#vegetable garden#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#partial shade tolerant#problem for horses#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:
    Mediterranean, Iran, Africa
    Edibility:
    Leaves are edible raw or cooked.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit dries and splits when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Plants are generally harvested before blooming occurs, as after the bloom, the leaves take on a more bitter taste.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves vary per species. They are often crinkly in dark to pale green with white midribs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Problem for Horses