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How to grow Pak Choi from seed

mamehamameha Posts: 40
in Fruit & veg

I have tried and failed twice to grow pak choi from seed.

I have a planter at the back of the garden which is very shaded and doesn't get much rainwater as it has a bushy tree above it.  I sowed seeds in there about 6 weeks ago but the pak choi did not take.

Can I sow pak choi any time of year?  (I also have a greenhouse and it seems you can grow it in there during winter?)  Or is summer too hot?

Should I sow the seeds in seed trays first then plant out when established?

Does Pak Choi need a lot of sunlight or water?

Hoping to get tips from regular pak choi growers as we love it in our family!

Posts

  • LeifUKLeifUK Posts: 573

    I have grown Pak Choi in containers and in beds. I would not bother with it in small containers, it tends to bolt because the soil dries out. Also Pak Choi usually bolts if sown in spring or early summer. Real Seeds have one called Tai Sai, which does not bolt in my experience, but I've only grown it in beds.

    I suspect it will not do well in a very shaded area. It does need some sun. I start it in modules, then when they are strong, and good roots, I plant them out. You may have to rely on supermarkets. Try and find a local Chinese supermarket, they should do nice Pak Choi at a good price.

  • mamehamameha Posts: 40

    Interesting, thanks.

    I think I will wait until autumn, when my tomatoes are finished I will clear the greenhouse and try to grow pak choi through the winter in the greenhouse in some trough containers.  They will get enough water and sun this way, though it may be too cold...

  • Stuart RStuart R Posts: 42

    Pak Choi is actually quite hardy mameha, it doesn't mind a freeze, so the protection of your greenhouse over winter will be perfect. Do make sure to sow it before the days become too short to allow it to put on some good growth before heading into winter! If you're limited on space due to tomatoes taking up space in the summer, probably best to sow seeds in plugs around late July, then plant once the tomatoes are finished. 

    I also recommend 'Tai Sai' from real seeds. This year I sowed under cloches in early March, then again a few weeks later without protection. I began harvesting the first of these last week! Very impressed by how quickly they grew, that they didn't bolt and with the juicy stems in my miso dashi :)

    Happy growing!

  • mamehamameha Posts: 40

    thanks, will put it in my calendar.

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