How To Grow Pak-Choi

How To Grow Pak-Choi

Pak-choi belongs to the family Cruciferae. Other members of this family include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and others. Pak-choi is eaten either cooked or raw. It contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fibre, vitamin C and sodium. Just a few plants planted weekly will provide a constant supply of this vegetable for the household.

Varieties

Joi Choi Pak-Choi

Pak-Choi White

Soil Preparation 

The soil should be well tilled and sufficiently drained but must allow for good water retention. This is because pak-choi requires a plentiful and uniform supply of clean water. To prepare the soil for planting, till the soil with a garden fork. Form beds if needed; about 1 m (3 ft) wide.

Pak-choi responds well to organic manure and does not tolerate acid soils. Mix one handful of well-rotted manure in the soil and incorporate 5 g (1 tsp) of hydrated agricultural lime in each planting hole.

Planting

In a home garden situation, plants may also be planted in containers. See “Container Planting” Pak-choi may also be intercropped with herbs and other vegetables. 

Pak-choi seeds germinate in 1-2 days and is ready for transplanting in about 10–14 days after germination.

If producing your own seedlings, see “Producing Seedlings for the Home Garden”. If purchasing seedlings, select healthy seedlings, making sure they are not too old. A healthy seedling is characterized by

• A shoot: root ratio of about 2:1
• Having about 3-4 leaves and the outer leaves should be at least 2 (in)
• White roots

When several plants are planted in the same area, plants should be placed about 25 cm (10 in) apart within rows and 38–45 cm (15-18 in) between rows.

Seedlings should be transplanted late in the afternoon.

When transplanting observe the following steps:

• Place one seedling into each planting hole and be careful not to cover the base of the first leaves with soil.
• Ensure that the seedlings are firmly positioned by pressing the soil around it with your hand.
• After transplanting, apply a soil insecticide and soil fungicide at the recommended rates to protect the seedling in its early stages.
• Keep the plants free from weeds at all times.

Fertilizing

• Immediately after transplanting, apply 5g (1 tsp) of a granular NPK fertilizer such as 12:24:12 to each plant to encourage root growth. Be sure to place this fertilizer at least 5 cm (2 in) away from the plant.

•  On the 7th, 14th and 21st days after transplanting apply a granular NPK fertilizer e.g. 20:10:10, at a rate of about 1–3 tsp (5–15 g) per plant depending on the health of the plant.

• Alternatively a foliar fertilizer can be used weekly e.g. 20:20:20 at a rate of 5g (1 tsp) to 4 litres (1 gal) of water. Apply 125 ml (1/2 cup) of this mixture in the leaves and root area of each plant.

Harvesting

Most varieties mature in about 4-5 weeks after transplanting although it is not unusual to harvest earlier than this. Harvest by cutting the entire head from the soil and trimming off old, dead leaves. When harvesting is delayed, the leaves are characteristically bitter and purplish streaks are seen on the stems.

Do not harvest just after rain or if dew is present in order to avoid cracking of the leaves. Pak-choi can be placed in perforated plastic bags and kept in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 weeks.

Pest and Control

See pest and control for cabbage as pak-choi can be destroy by these same pests.