Brassica rapa var. chinensis
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 25cm x 20cm.
DISTANCE APART: 20cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: The whole pak choi can be harvested when only about 12cm tall and then it is called ‘baby pak choi’. Or you can leave it in the ground until it gets to about 20cm tall. You can even just harvest the outer leaves so that the rest of the plant can keep growing.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. Choose a pot that is at least 25cm deep. Fill it with premium potting mix, plant the seedlings and water them well.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. Before planting, remove weeds from the garden bed and dig through lots of compost or organic manure. Water the soil lightly and plant the seedlings. Water again and mulch with lucerne hay or pea straw.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Pak choi is best buddies with lettuce, cauliflower and onions.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Apply a liquid fertiliser every fortnight.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.