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Brassica Rapa

Bok Choy is an Asian cabbage that has caught on in American home gardens. Also called Chinese Cabbage,  it is a cool weather, easy to grow Chinese vegetable.  Bok Coy is a quick growing, loose leaf cabbage, that can be harvested in as little as 45 days. Bok Choy is eaten raw or cooked, in a wide variety of Chinese and Asian stir-fry recipes. Also try is steamed, or in salads.

Propagation:

Bok Choy is grown from seed. Sow Bok Choy seeds directly seeded in your garden.Sow seeds early in the season, as early as the ground can be worked. Cover seeds lightly with 1/4" or less of fine garden or seed starting soil.

Seeds germinate in 7- 10 days.

How to Grow Bok Choy Plants:

Days to maturity: 45 - 50

Bok Choy plants grow well in cool weather. They do not like hot or humid weather. Grow it in the spring and fall.

Bok Choy will be one of the first vegetables to harvest in the spring.

Start fall crops in late summer. Time fall crops to mature near or slightly after the first expected frost date in your area. They will survive light frosts.

Plant Bok Choy in rich, loose garden soil. Fuel fast growth with an early application of fertilizer. Keep the soil moist.

Space or thin plants to 6" - 10" apart in rows 18" - 30" apart.

Keep plants well weeded.

Plants have a tendency to quickly go to seed in hot, weather, or if under stress.

Insects and Pests:

Insects can be a problem when growing Bok Choy. Because this is a leaf crop, avoid using chemical insecticides. Use garlic sprays or organic repellents, only if problems arise.

Disease:

Bok Choy is susceptible to rotting during hot and humid weather. It is strongly recommend that you don't plant Bok Choy, in an area where other members of the cabbage family have been grown in the past two years. This will help to minimize plant disease.

Hardiness:

Like other members of the cabbage family, Bok Coy prefers cool, and even cold weather. They can be among the first plants in your garden each spring. Start them indoors, and plant them before the last frost, freeze or snow. They will survive below thirty degrees. They will be among your last crops to survive the increasingly frequent fall frosts.

Harvesting Bok Choy:

Bok Choy is a non-heading plant. Leaves and stalks will form close together, similar to celery. Harvest plants when they have reached 12" - 18" tall. Remove the outer leaves. Wash leaves before eating.

More Information:

More on Bok Choy

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