How to Plant and Grow Bok Choy

Brassica rapasubsp.chinensis

Bok choy ( or pak choi ) , literally translated from Chinese , means “ white vegetable , ” but the caustic remark is that only the stalks near the center of the industrial plant are white-hot .

The forbidden leaves are beautiful shade of faint purple or green , and seem to open out like supporting danseuse arching back to reveal the sensation of the show – the compact - manoeuvre , bulbous - bottomed central stalks and leaves .

Like upright substantiate professional dancer , those outer leafage are pretty , but everyone wants to get to the main act – the sweet , risque center field . Steam them , braise them , stir - fry , or cook them in soup , they ’re delicious ! rust them raw and you ’ll get a hint of cabbage with a mustardy piquancy .

We tie to vendors to avail you find relevant products . If you grease one’s palms from one of our connection , we may earn a commission .

Here ’s how you could originate them in your own little vegetable bandage .

What You’ll Learn

What Is Bok Choy?

Sometimes referred to as “ siu bak choy ” ( minuscule white vegetable ) so as not to fox it with “ dai bak choy ” ( big whitened vegetable – thenapa scratch ) thiscruciferous vegetableis a member of theBrassicaceaefamily .

Also referred to as pak choi , the mutation of the name in English are derived from the phonic translation of Chinese lineament – the word choi or choy means “ vegetable . ” The bak , bok , or pak part intend “ lily-white . ”

Bok choy is a two-year plant life that is usually grown as an annual . It boom in the nerveless season in location with temperatures between 55 and 70 ° F .

It does n’t heed the unmatched clean freeze and can withstand slenderly higher temperatures , so long as the soil is keep sufficiently moist . Certain heat - tolerant varieties are available to suit tropical environment – but it will not tolerate drouth .

This quick - grow leafy green is used extensively in Asiatic culinary art . Its house , crispy stalks have a modest flavor and maintain a delicious crunch when cooked .

The soft , supply ship leaves have a mellow predilection with a hint of peppery spice .

Like its closemouthed cousins kail and bread , bok choy packs a tidy nutritional punch . Low in Calorie , it ’s a rich source of vitamins A , C , K , and folate .

luxuriously in anti - incitive polyphenols , it also take important minerals includingcalcium , iron , phosphorus , atomic number 19 , and magnesium .

Cultivation and History

Native to the Yangtze River Delta in China , bok choy has been uprise as a food harvest since the 5th hundred , most in all likelihood cultivated from native wild brassicas maturate in the region .

An of import culinary fixings , it was also used in traditional Taiwanese music .

Mentioned in the 16th century by the Chinese pharmacologist Li Shizhen in his “ collection of Materia Medica ” for its medicinal properties , this veg has since spread throughout southeast Asia and further abroad .

Bok choy was brought to Europe in the mid-18th hundred , and to America in the recent 1800s by Chinese workers during the Gold Rush .

Today , it ’s develop intimately everywhere in the world .

Bok Choy Plant Propagation

This extremity of thecrucifer or mustard familyis easily distribute from seed , as well as from transplants . It prosper inUSDA Hardiness Zones2 to 11 .

From Seed

For a spring and early summer harvest , sow seeds indoorsin a seed starting mix four to five weeks before your estimated last icing appointment . Sow seeds quarter of an in deep and space about an in apart .

They should start to germinate in four to eight days . When seedlings spring up to about two in high , they will be quick to transplant .

If you’regrowing your crops in containers , prefer pots that are at least six inches rich for dwarf varieties , and eight to 10 in cryptical for full sized cultivars .

Keep them indoors in a cheery spot until all risk of frost has passed .

you may also train sow into your veggie darn after your last frost date .

You ’ll ask well - drain land that ’s plenteous in constituent thing , sodo a soil testand ameliorate with compost as necessary .

Sow seeds fourth part of an inch deep and one to two inches apart . Thin them to three to five in , depending on your miscellanea .

You canenjoy baby greensin a salad or charmer , or waitress for them to mature before you harvest .

If you are plant a dip crop , sow seeds flat in mid- to late summer , up to six weeks before your prognosticate first frost appointment .

Keep them well watered and thin when seedling are two to three inches tall .

The amount of space you provide between each industrial plant depends in part on what variety you are planting , so be sure tocheck your seed packetsfor educational activity . you could also see more spacing tips here .

If you plan to harvest at the baby leg , you may grow them closer together .

From Transplants

you may transfer seedling into the garden or move containers outdoors once nighttime temperatures are take for above 50 ° F .

Be quick to protect your plant with afloating row coverif the temperature involve a dip after transplantation – if they feel the frost , they will think it ’s wintertime and dash as soon as temperatures resurrect .

Transplant into well - debilitate territory that ’s rich in organic affair ; mix in some compost as necessary .

If you ’re in Zone 8 or higher , former plantings can grow as biennial .

These plants will go dormant in a meek winter , before growing again and finally go off the following season .

The 2nd season ’s harvesting will be given to be less tender and flavorsome – but you ’ll be capable to save the seeds for succeeding planting .

Successive planting every two weeks work well if you ’re await for a continuous crop .

We take a closer look atbok choy planting times in our supplemental usher .

How to Grow Bok Choy

When pick out a spot in the garden , it ’s overbold not to implant in an area where you ’ve antecedently farm other brassicas , as disease - induce fungi and bacterium can rest in the soil .

Best praxis here is to rotate crops to nullify institute the same character of vegetables in the same place year after twelvemonth .

B. rapacan turn in full sun , but prefer fond shade . Give your plants at least three minute of sunshine every day , and they will be happy in your garden .

Bok choy enjoys fertile , well - drain grunge that is high in organic matter with apH of 6.0 to 7.5 . If your soil is fertile or you have already ameliorate with compost , you should n’t need toadd extra nutrients .

But if you see tedious growth or pale leaves , feed with a high - nitrogen liquidity plant food after transplant for happy , level-headed plants .

Water your veggies often , particularly in the fall . Keep the filth moist but not over - saturated , and be sure to water at the radical of the plant .

attempt to avoid getting the leaves wet as this can encourage bunkum if plants are watered later in the day .

This plant loves both well - watered and well - drain soil . Whether you usesprinklers , drip mould taping , or a hose , water regularly so that the filth does not get a probability to dry out . Your goal is to keep the soil slightly moist , but not waterlogged .

Keep the field free from weeds so they do n’t crowd out your crops and compete for soil food .

you may also placemulch around the plantsto combat weeds and aid to retain moisture . Remember to keep the mulching material one to two inches away from the base of each plant .

Companion Plants

comrade plants can have various benefit such as pest control condition and nutritive sweetening , so see institute some of these together with your bok choy to keep it healthy and insect free .

To enhance growth , surround it with veggies such asbeets , bush dome , orcarrots . Intercropping will also aid you tomaximize garden space .

Some claim that planting biting flora likechamomile , garlic , ormintnext to your bok choy will give it some extra flavor .

Celeryandthymehelp to repelcabbage worms . Any case ofonionis a in effect hinderance toroot maggots , androsemary , thyme , sage , cilantro , andnasturtiumscan protect your harvest againstflea beetlesandaphids .

Growing Tips

Bok Choy Cultivars to Select

While you may have only seen one eccentric of bok choy at the shop , there are many to choose from for your garden .

Some varieties have declamatory , frosty white stems contrasting with glowering green leaves , while others have more frail , pale stem and leaves .

Here are some of our favorite cultivar :

Joi Choi

Standing straight and just on its thick white stalks , this intercrossed variety is distinctive in the garden .

’ Joi Choi ’

Adaptable to a wide multifariousness of growing condition ‘ Joi Choi ’ is a vigorous , bolt repellent cultivar .

Each plant typically pay 10 to 14 erect stalks that reach eight to 10 inches tall with dark unripened leaves . Expect 55 day to due date .

Packets containing 200 seeded player areavailable at Burpee .

Tatsoi Rosette

The ‘ Tatsoi Rosette ’ variety is pretty with its dark gullible , teardrop - shaped parting that arrange themselves around the center of the plant .

’ Tatsoi Rosette ’

On the tabular array , the stubble of this cultivar are gratifying and tender , and the leaves are tasty in salad . Plant six to eight inches apart , so that the leaf can propagate out .

This firm growing heirloom choose cool temperatures and is suited to Zones 3 to 7 . Matures in 50 days .

Find packets of semen in a variety of sizesat truthful Leaf Market .

White Stem

‘ White Stem ’ is hardy and handles Robert Frost a moment better than other mixture , and can be grown successfully in Zones 1 to 9 .

’ White Stem ’

When fully mature , in about 70 days , its dark unripened , fan - similar leaf have a mild , peppery flavor .

This heirloom variety can be harvest ahead of time for lovesome sister honey oil . It is delicious in a mixture of dishes , peculiarly Asian stir - fries .

you’re able to get packets of seeds in various sizesfrom True Leaf Marketand alsoat Eden Brothers .

Managing Pests and Disease

Unfortunately , this plant is prey to a wide compass of pests and disease . But with paying attention care and safe growing practices , most of these can easy be preclude or plow .

Insects

There are a routine of pest that have it off bok choy as much as we do . float row cover charge can serve keep them off your crops . The principal ace to watch out for are :

These pesky fool - suckers savor feeding on most brassicas , and bok choy is no exception . They can cause stunted development and wilt leaves , and big infestation can kill your crop . Aphidscan also contribute to the cattle farm of turnip mosaic computer virus .

If there are n’t too many of them , you’re able to dampen them off with a hosiery . For larger infestations , spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap .

study more about controlling aphid infestation here .

This pernicious looper is about one and a half to two inches long , and it enjoy chew large holes in your greenery . Natural predatorssuch as ladybugs and spiders usually keep these pests under command by eating the eggs and larvae .

you’re able to also utilize Btor pyrethrins to keep these Caterpillar off your crops .

register more about loot inchworm control here .

It ’s not the factual moth that does the damage in this case , it ’s the larvae .

Hiding between the upper and blue foliage surfaces , they jaw little trap on the bottom of the farewell , and can be seen come through the tops .

Bt is effective at verify these pests .

What they lack in size of it , flea beetles make up for in damage . Tiny hole dot all over your special K are a sign that these little black beetles have taken up abidance .

you could spray with neem oil or put downdiatomaceous eartharound the plants to keep in line these critter .

Read more about combating flea beetle here .

Get tips on identifying and controlling bok choy pests here .

Disease

The bearing of pesterer can also put up to the spread of bacterial and fungal disease . The most common ace to look out for are :

due to a bacteria , Xanthomonas campestrispv . campestris , yellow or dark lesions will appear on the edge of leave . They ’ll gradually turn black , finally killing the whole industrial plant .

Learn more about how toprotect your crops from black rot here .

This condition is ordinarily induce by a fungus , eitherRhizoctoniaspp . ,Fusariumspp . , or the body of water moldPythiumspp . that live in the ground . It mostly affects seedling and vernal plants by attack the radical and kill them .

Read off and how to care for and prevent it here .

pubescent mildew is due to the water moldPeronspora parasitica . It is mostly an issue in lovesome , moist conditions . The parting will develop small xanthous spots on the top which gradually get larger .

When you wrench the leafage over , there ’s often a characteristic white powdery centre that looks like mildew on the underside . Treatment with fungicides is normally successful .

Sufficient flow of air between plants and regular weeding assist keep this disease at bay .

You canread more about downy mold here .

Spread by aphids and an giantism of weeds ,   turnip mosaic virus   can be annihilative , especially to young plant . preindication can vary from chicken spot on the leaves to large , light green lesions .

keep weeds and aphids under control usingintegrated pest managementis the best way to prevent this disease .

Read more about place and preventing turnip mosaic computer virus here .

Or find tips on identifying and regale various bok choy disease here .

Harvesting Bok Choy

Depending on the variety , you’re able to generally glean mature bok choy five to eight weeks after germination . you could also harvest tender baby greens at four to five weeks , when they are six to 10 inches tall .

Hand glean your plants during the cool part of the day , to reduce moisture passing . dilute the plants just above the stain pipeline , all in one snip .

instead , you’re able to expend the “ cut and descend again ” method where you glean the outer , older leaves around one in above the dirt telephone line , keep the core leave intact so that the works can keep growing .

After harvesting , move your vegetables to a nerveless location as soon as possible .

They are prostrate to wilt in the summertime sun , so set them in the nuance after picking , and take them to the kitchen quickly to keep up their crisp texture .

interpret more lead on harvesting bok choy here .

Seed Saving

If you need to save seed to plant next twelvemonth , you ’ll take to allow your bok choy to bolt . The plants will grow tall and produce flower , which will eventually fall off and be replace by semen fuel pod if pollenation was successful .

Harvest the seed pods when they are brownish and ironical – this is an indication that they are get ready to bust . Just verify you do n’t wait too long or they will open up up and release their seeds into the garden .

Cut at the base of each stalk with garden shears when the works is wry ; it ’s respectable to avoid early dawn or before long after after lacrimation .

Cut the pod off and place them in a bucket or newspaper bag . If any wet remains , earmark them to dry out completely in a cool , dry place .

If you notice that some pod have already burst , this means it ’s going to be comfortable to separate the continue germ from their seedcase .

To part the seeds from the stubble , twist the dry pod over a fine mesh strainer or filmdom . The pocket-size seeds will fall through , lead the dry plant material behind .

Pour the seeds into a lidded container or envelope , and label it with the works name and particular date before site it in a coolheaded , teetotal location for storage . Seeds can remain viable for up to five year .

Preserving

Proper storage of this leafy green will save its nutrients , as well as its flavor .

If you do n’t plan to eat your bok choy the same twenty-four hour period that you glean it , do n’t wash it – damp vegetable will rot faster in the electric refrigerator .

you may keep whole harvested plants intact , or come apart the stem and store them in a zippered old bag . abbreviate holes in the bag for melodic line circulation and put them in the crisper .

This plant is best eat within four to five days , although it can last for up to three weeks in the refrigerator .

If you plan to eat your harvesting correctly away , the most exhaustive way to wash and train it is to break off the larger fore and then , when you get to the more tightly - pack internal stem , slice off the base to split the remaining stems and leaves .

This allows you to clean all the stay dirt and grit from between the stems .

Rinse well in cool body of water . dry out them with paper towel or a salad spinster and utilize immediately , or enwrap in paper towel and spot in a ZIP code - top plastic bag in the refrigerator and use within two to three day .

Do n’t have a salad spinner?Our sister website , Foodal , has a handy pathfinder to help you find the best exemplar for your kitchen .

you could also rank the separated clean stalks into a jar of stale piss for a kinky snack that ’s quick to enjoy . Put it in the fridge , and eat within two days .

To keep your veggie crop long - term , view force per unit area canning it for shelf - stable store for up to a year . Dehydration is another choice , as is pickling .

Bok Choy Cooking Ideas

This alimentary vegetable is a low calorie source of dietary fiber , protein , and a variety of level-headed vitamin and nutrients . It offers vitamins A , C , K , and several B vitamins as well as phosphorus , atomic number 19 , and manganese . A one - cupful attend contains only nine calories .

Tiny “ baby ” bok choy can be eat in the altogether or cooked . They have a sweet and slenderly piquant taste .

Large , mature leaves and staunch have a milder spirit . If you get the plants bolt and you do n’t design to preserve seed later in the time of year , the inflorescences ( flowering stems ) can be bring up - fried like broccoli .

you’re able to employ this food - packed leafy vegetable in saucy salad , preserve the generously proportioned leaves in a spicy homemade kimchi , or stir - fry them with ail and soy or oyster sauce for a simple Chinese side dish .

Bok choy is also delicious as a roasted vegetable . The leaves become crispy and the chaff mince and become a mo sweetened .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Sprouting New Opportunities

If you enjoyed this pathfinder , try these suggestions forfurther reading on brassica and cole craw :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally publish December 31st , 2019 . Last updated April 8th , 2023 . merchandise exposure via Burpee and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . Significantly revise and expanded from an article earlier written by Drew John . With extra authorship and redaction by Allison Sidhu .

About

Clare Groom