Topic: Chinese leaves

[saddad]

Not grown them before but put a line in and they are now really hearty, OH had one with her lunch (well part of one) and have asked DebP to take one, how frost proof are they? They are promising very cold snap, do they need fleecing?
 ???

[adrianhumph]

 Hi saddad,
                  Not sure which variety you are talking about, but I grow these two,"Osaka Purple " Mustard Greens for cooking &  Giant Miike mustard greens
from the real seed company, they grow right through the winter with no protection, I have some enviromesh over them just to stop the flying rats.
 They have a hot mustardy flavour when raw but when they are steamed (like spinach) they are very tasty ;D
                                                   Adrian.

[manicscousers]

we always have ours under cover  :)

[flowerlady]

Mine are fending for themselves !!  ;D

Joy Larkcomb swears by them, if you can get your hands on her book "Oriental Vegetables" - the complete guide -  all would be revealed !!  ;)

[calendula]

I used to grow all my oriental leaves at this time of the year outdoors unprotected - when they get frosted they then thaw out as if nothing had happened - I grow them in the greenhouse now just so as I can sow successionally but it would be good if you could say which ones you are referring to as some might not be as hardy as others

[saddad]

A cross between cos lettuce and cabbage... might have been called wong bok?

[calendula]

I guess you meant a chinese cabbage when you mentioned 'really hearty' - might not be so hardy as other leaves such as mizuna, the mustards, mibuna, etc so a fleece might be a good thing especially over the next few days which is so supposed to be getting very chilly

[saddad]

That's what I thought thanks..  ::)