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Growing Pak Choi

historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
in Problem solving
First time of growing Pak choi - growing well, plants are about 5/6inches tall , but now they are flowering. Unsure how to treat this crop - I had hoped to harvest some leaves and leave other to form bulb.
Advice very welcome please
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Posts

  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Very prone to bolt when too warm and dry. Now they are flowering best harvest whole plant. I have an automatic irrigation system on mine to keep them constantly moist and best out of full sun. They are lovely to eat both raw and cooked. We’ve been using them cooked as a substitute for rice and flatbreads in our East Asian dishes: great for the waistline!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    They are also a little day length sensitive and seeds sown after the longest day (21st June) are less likely to bolt, so now is an excellent time to sow more.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thanks for that info. they have been in a fairly sunny site so perhaps that was the problem. will know better for next time.  Is it OK to eat raw the leaves from the plants that are staring to flower?
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I pinch flowers off,and eat regardless.lost my last year's to the slugs, they are now in wall planters!
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you for info.  I did think of trying your idea of wall planters until I was reminded that the snails had climbed up wall and eaten my Hosta
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Yes agree about boulting.
    Ours in the polytunnel did  boult this year but we still have used some of the leaves and stems...not all.
    Yes we are ready for some more plants and these will develop hopefully better as it will be cooler
    (in the UK in the summer!!!!)
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thanks I will try again when it is cooler.
  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Recent sowing of Pak Choi. Just starting to show a flower. Would you give it a few more days before harvesting? Or should I eat it now?




  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2021
    I'd eat it now ... they bolt rapidly  ... that looks great ... flamin Spanish Slugs ate all mine overnight 👿

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ysera27Ysera27 Posts: 41
    I grew mine much earlier in the year, was my first time too. Was really pleased with them and I plan to grow some more next year. As others said, I think it's the heat and dry that makes them bolt. The slugs and snails love them too ☹️
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