Pak Choi
The first thing to make clear in our pak choi growing tips is that pak choi and bok choy are the same thing! Pak choi is the referred name in the UK, while bok choy is used in the US. Consequently, as with many things, Australians use the two names for this leafy Asian green interchangeably. However, there are a number of varieties you can choose from, including Osaka Purple, Choi Sum, and Joi Choi.
Pak Choi Growing
Pak Choi, Bok Choy or Chinese cabbage is an excellent leafy green to grown in the dry season in the tropics.
Location and Soil
Choose a spot that enjoys full sun. Plant in rich, moist soil, well draining soil, with plenty of well rotted compost in it.
Propagation
Time needed: 4 minutes.
How to grow pak choi from seed.
- Sowing
Sow your seeds at a depth three times the diameter of the seed.
- Water
The preferred soil temperatures are between 21°C and 30°C. Water regularly to make sure soil remains moist.
- Germination
Sprouts should emerge in around 6 to 12 days.
- Time and space
The dry season is the time to grow pak choi in the tropics, as they prefer the slightly cooler temperatures. Space plants 30 – 40 cm apart.
- Harvest
You should have something to harvest in 6-11 weeks. You can harvest the whole plant or you can pick a few leaves at a time, leaving the others behind to grow bigger.
Pak Choi Growing Tips
Fertilising
One of our pak choi growing tips is to apply natural fertilisers such as fish emulsion every month for the best results.
Watering
Pak Choi is best grown in the dry season in the tropics, so it will need regular watering. One good watering a day should do the job.
Pests and Diseases
Pak Choi very attractive to a number of pests that can do serious damage. These include aphids, slugs, leafminers and whiteflies.
The best advice to avoid pests is to rotate crops and only use pathogen-free seed. Then apply fungicides if and when problems emerge.
Regular application of ‘white oil’ can help address these pests. White oil is an effective organic pesticide that you can make at home.
Eating the Pak Choi
Pak choi can be eaten raw in salads, or you can put it on a sandwich instead of lettuce. However, most commonly it is eaten cooked. Consequently, this includes on the stovetop in a soup, as a stir-fry or in fried rice dish.
Health Benefits
Pak choi growing can have real health benefits when it comes time to consume your produce.
Weight Loss
Eating high fibre foods such as park choi can help you lose weight. Such foods are very low in calories and also increase you feelings of ‘fullness’ when having a meal.
Fibre
Eating this vegetable also aids digestive health and may help to prevent constipation.
Immune System
The mineral selenium in this vegetable improves the immune response to infection by stimulating the production of T-cells. Indeed these T-cells can help to combat invading bacteria and viruses.
Antioxidants
Pak choi is rich in antioxidants that may help protect your cells from oxidative damage. Consequently, this can reduce your risk of having a number of chronic diseases.
