Damon Mcknight
Pak choy, also known as bok choy, is a leafy green vegetable that is easy to grow in Australia. It is part of the brassica or mustard family and is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine. Pak choy can be grown in all climates but thrives in mild temperatures and moist, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. The vegetable is ready to harvest in as little as six to eleven weeks, and its outer leaves can be harvested as needed, or the entire plant can be cut.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Annual leafy vegetable |
| Height | Up to 30 cm |
| Climate | All zones, but does best in mild temperatures |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, enriched with compost, neutral to slightly alkaline |
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
| Flowering | Small yellow flowers |
| Foliage | Fleshy, spoon-shaped, dark green leaves with prominent white veins |
| Feeding | Liquid feed regularly throughout the growing season |
| Watering | Regularly to keep the soil moist |
| Harvest time | 6-11 weeks |
| Seed depth | Approximately three times the diameter of the seed |
| Soil temperature | 21°C to 30°C |
| Compatible plants | Dwarf beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs, lettuce, potatoes |
| Incompatible plants | Climbing beans, tomato, peppers, eggplant, strawberry, mustard |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation: moist, well-drained, and enriched with compost
Soil preparation is a crucial step in growing pak choy, as it ensures the plants have access to the right nutrients and moisture levels to support their growth. Here are some detailed steps and guidelines for preparing the soil:
Moisture Content
The soil should be moist but not wet. Check the soil moisture daily to maintain the appropriate conditions. Consistent watering is essential, especially during drier seasons. As a rule of thumb, give pak choy 1 inch of water per week to maintain moisture between waterings.
Well-Drained Soil
Ensure the planting site has well-drained soil. This allows rainwater to saturate the ground without causing waterlogging, which can be detrimental to plant health.
Soil Enrichment with Compost
Enrich the soil with organic matter, such as compost, well-rotted manure, or specialised compost blends. Adding lime before planting can also be beneficial, as pak choy prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH. Aim for a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.
Soil Preparation for Seeds
If planting seeds, prepare a seed-raising mix with a slightly acidic pH. The seeds should be sown at a depth of approximately 6mm and spaced 5-20cm apart in rows 25cm apart. Water the seeds well to increase germination rates.
Nutrient-Rich Soil
A soil rich in nutrients is key to strong plant growth. Consider adding plant boosters and fertilisers to the soil to enhance nutrient content and support healthy plants.
By following these soil preparation steps, you can create an optimal environment for growing pak choy, providing the necessary moisture, drainage, and nutrients for successful plant development.
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Sunlight: full sun to part shade
Pak choy, also known as bok choy, is a leafy green vegetable that is easy to grow in Australia. It can be grown in all climates but does best in mild temperatures. It is a cool-season biennial vegetable that completes its life cycle in two years.
When growing pak choy, it is important to consider the amount of sunlight the plant will receive. Pak choy grows best in full sun but can tolerate part shade, especially in the summer. If you are growing pak choy in the fall, it is important to ensure that the plant receives full sun for most of the day. Three to five hours of full sun is sufficient, with partial shade in the afternoon.
The amount of sunlight pak choy receives can also depend on the time of year it is planted. In Australia, it is recommended to plant pak choy in the cooler months, such as autumn or winter, and to avoid the middle of summer. This is because pak choy tends to bolt and go to seed in hot weather, which can make the plant bitter and inedible.
To protect your pak choy from the sun, you can provide light afternoon shade in hotter temperatures. Additionally, you can grow pak choy in a container garden or a large pot to make it easier to move the plant to a shadier location if needed.
By providing the right amount of sunlight and shade, you can successfully grow pak choy in Australia and enjoy this versatile and nutritious vegetable.
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Sowing: sow seeds 6mm deep, 5-20cm apart in rows 25cm apart
When sowing pak choy seeds, it is important to space them correctly to allow for adequate growth. Seeds should be planted 6mm deep in the soil and spaced 5-20cm apart. This will ensure that the seeds have enough space to germinate and develop into healthy plants.
It is also important to ensure that the soil is moist but not wet. Check the soil moisture daily to provide the best conditions for germination. You can expect germination to occur within 6-10 days, although this may be slower in very hot or cold conditions. Keep an eye out for tiny leaves poking through the soil as an indication that germination is taking place.
Once the bok choy seedlings have reached a height of about 5cm, gently thin them out to a spacing of 15-20cm apart. This will reduce overcrowding and promote healthy root development.
It is worth noting that the timing of sowing is crucial. If seeds are sown too late, warm weather can cause the immature pak choy to bolt or set flowers and seeds prematurely. In general, it is recommended to plant pak choy in early spring for a spring-to-early-summer harvest or in late summer to early autumn for a mid-to-late-autumn harvest.
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Harvesting: harvest in 6-11 weeks
Harvesting pak choy is a straightforward process. You can start harvesting in as little as six to eight weeks, or when the plant has grown leaves large enough to be eaten. You can either harvest the outer leaves as needed, or cut the entire plant. If you opt to harvest the outer leaves, use a sharp knife to cut the stems at the base of the plant.
Pak choy grows quickly and will go to seed in hot weather, so it is best to grow it in cooler months. If you want a continuous harvest, plant successive crops two weeks apart.
You can grow pak choy in a variety of climates, but it does best in mild temperatures. Summer heat can cause it to bolt and become bitter and inedible. A light frost is not a problem, but heavy frost will kill the plant.
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Pests: control caterpillars with organic spray or by hand
Pak choy, also known as bok choy, is susceptible to caterpillars, specifically the larvae of the cabbage white butterfly and cabbage moth (diamondback moth). These caterpillars chew on the foliage and, if left untreated, can ruin the plants. To prevent this, gardeners should take action as soon as they notice the caterpillars. One option is to use a suitable organic spray, vegetable dust, or bio-insecticide. These products are designed to control caterpillar populations without resorting to synthetic chemicals. Alternatively, caterpillar removal can be done by hand, manually picking them off the leaves. This method is more labour-intensive but aligns with organic gardening practices, avoiding the use of pesticides.
When controlling caterpillars with organic sprays, it is important to follow the instructions on the product label. Different sprays may have specific application methods, concentrations, and safety precautions. Some organic sprays may contain natural ingredients such as neem oil, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria, or plant-based insecticides. These substances are toxic to caterpillars but generally considered safer for humans and the environment.
Manual caterpillar removal, on the other hand, involves physically inspecting the pak choy plants and removing the caterpillars by hand. This method requires gardeners to be vigilant and regularly check the undersides of leaves, where caterpillars often hide. While time-consuming, this hands-on approach ensures that caterpillars are immediately removed from the plant without the use of any sprays or chemicals.
Combining organic sprays with manual removal can also be effective. Applying an organic spray may help reduce the overall caterpillar population, while manual removal ensures that any remaining caterpillars are promptly dealt with. This integrated approach can be particularly useful for larger pak choy gardens or in cases of severe caterpillar infestations.
By employing these organic caterpillar control methods, gardeners can effectively protect their pak choy plants while minimising the use of synthetic pesticides, promoting a healthier and more sustainable gardening environment.
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