THE CHINESE CABBAGES - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 90

Pak choy is rich in vitamin C and minerals and is a good source of dietary fiber.
It's very popular throughout Europe, especially in France, where it has been cultivated
since the 1800s.
Appearance
Pak choy is an attractive vegetable. The large leaves are a beautiful, glossy dark green,
the ribs a bright white. It doesn't form a tight head and doesn't look like either a regular
cabbage or a Chinese cabbage; it is more similar to Swiss chard.
The blanched hearts are considered a particular delicacy, and Chinese produce
stores put a premium price on them. Pak choy is often sold with its little bright yellow
flowers nestled in the center; unlike common broccoli, this is a desirable stage to eat.
In your own garden, you can enjoy both the blanched hearts and the flowers without
having to pay high prices for them.
How to Grow
Getting started. Pak choy is a cool-weather vegetable. Plant in early spring or the
middle of August in cool climates, and as early as March or as late as September in
warmer regions. You can extend the fall crop by harvesting the outer leaves and allow-
ing the rest of the plant to continue growing. The spring season isn't long enough for
this treatment, however, so pick the whole plant while still small. Then, if a spell of un-
seasonably warm weather should occur, pick the entire crop right away or you will lose
it.
Planting. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and about 2 inches apart, in rows 18 inches apart.
When the plants are about 4 inches high, thin to stand about 6 inches apart. The thin-
nings make good eating.
Growing needs. Like all cabbages, pak choy should be encouraged to grow briskly,
and the best way to accomplish this is with regular watering. In the spring, nature often
takes care of that for you. Mulch to keep the soil cool, and plants will come through
occasional hot spells without any problems.
A rich loamy soil gives you the best crop. A little fertilizer and compost mixed in
with the soil before planting is good if you don't overdo it; pak choy does better with
frequent light feedings rather than less-frequent heavy feedings. Fertilize lightly every
two weeks and give a side-dressing of compost when the plants are six weeks old.