Topic: Is it too late to start Pak Choi

[cestrian]

I love Pak Choi. It's probably may favourite brassica, but no room at the minute. Is it too late to plant seeds. I am looking for something to fill the potato patch when they come up.

I could start them off in seed trays in the greenhouse!

[ed dibbles]

Not too late at all. Now is the perfect time for starting pak choi as well as many other chinese veg. Sowings this month and in august will give you a nice succession.

Bear in mind though they generally do better direct sown as they resent root disturbance.

But of course I understand in this weather we probably have little choice. ;)

[manicscousers]

I haven't started them yet, I did some early on, I don't think they like hot weather  ;D and they like water  ;D  I grow them in modules and plat into a trough as I don't like feeding slugs  ;D

[cestrian]

Not too late at all. Now is the perfect time for starting pak choi as well as many other chinese veg. Sowings this month and in august will give you a nice succession.

What other chinese veg would you recommend?

[ed dibbles]

You can try chinese cabbage although I have generally had limited success with those. Some recommendations.....

Easiest and most abundant: Komatsuna, Senposai, Mizuna

Hardy: Tatsoi

Mustard: Green Wave Osaka Purple are good

Flowering stalks (think broccoli): Kailaan, Choy Sum

Mild tasting leaf radish: Saisai

Mooli radishes (daikon)

Not chinese exactly but good greens: turnip greens (any turnip produces tasty leaves or the itallian equivilent Rapa Senza Testa

And don't forget real spinach for sowing late july/august for wonderful tender leaves in the autumn and well into the winter.

[cestrian]

Thanks for the recommendations Ed. I am loving my lettuce and spinach at the minute. I just googled those chinese veg and the descriptions are making me drool in anticipation. This is exactly what I'm looking for - varieties you just can't get at Asda or Tesco.


I'm on to eBay straight away to get some of these seeds. Thanks!

[Digeroo]

Thanks for reminding me about the spinach, I like the leaves very small and young. 

Not keen on PakChoi but might give it another go if OH won't eat it can dig in as green manure.