Bok Choy White Stem ( Brassica rapa chinensis ) is a type of Chinese Cabbage grown worldwide for its healthy green fan-like leaves. Looking more like a mustard than a traditional cabbage, Bok Choy has now become a staple in the supermarkets. This White Stem heirloom variety is particularly popular with its attractive white trunk and contrasting dark green foliage. It’s also hardier during winter than other varieties. Bok Choy adds an extra crunch to salads and stir-fry’s and is ready for harvest in just two months.
Bok Choy is full of vitamins and can be used as microgreens, in juices and adds a peppery flavour to Asian cuisine. It’s also a rich source of Vitamin A, C and K.
Growth
Bok Choy is a cold hardy, biennial vegetable that grows to around 30cm (1 foot) high. It is often grown as an annual due to its fast growth, quick harvest time and its ability to reseed. In the second season Bok Choy often produces less-flavoursome leaves. This variety is fairly cold hardy and is increasingly grown in Northern Europe.
It thrives in temperatures between 13 and 21°C (55 and 70°F) and produces better tasting leaves in cooler conditions. In tropical locations it is usually grown during winter.
If growing in pots or seed trays, seedlings can be transplanted as soon as the frost has passed. Once transplanted feed with a fertilizer nitrogen to provide a little burst.
Bok Choy will do well in a variety of soils as long as it remains moist. Young seedlings are attractive to Aphids and Flea Beetles which can be easily foiled by spraying neem oil onto the leaves. Or by adding some of the companion plants listed in the Germination Instructions tab, in particular the herbs.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0 to 27°C / 50 to 80°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining. Avoid soils that have had Brassicas grown in previous season.
LOCATION:
Full sun for around 3-5 hours per day, will tolerate some shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 cm’s (1 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 15 cm’s (6 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual for Harvest, Biennial for Seed
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind.
MATURITY:
Average 60-70 days
GERMINATION RATES:
93%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-10 days at temperatures between 10-23°C / 50-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 350
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT BRASSICA RAPA (Bok Choy)
Bok choy originated in China where it has been cultivated since the 5th century AD.
This plant is rich in vitamins C, A, K, and folate and is also a good source of minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorous.
Bok choy was introduced into Europe in the mid-18th century and later to America during the California Gold Rush during the late 1800s.
