Pak Choi

General tips / questions on seeding & planting

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Allan
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Watch this space, update on its way.
I grow Pak Choi very successfully in the winter months which according to the info on the seed packets is not the done thing. It is one of a small but valuable collection of salad crops that grow rapidly and either tolerate or need winter cropping and grow fast enough, Pak Choi can often be ready in 3 weeks.
I shall get a list of varieties together to add here but for now Mei Quing Choi is the one to go for. Sow in modules or pots and plant out under cover. You only need one seed per pot, failure to germinate is rare and it avoids the setback of thinning, one packet goes a long way
Allan
Last edited by Allan on Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Colin_M
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When is the best time to start Pak Choi Allan?

I guess it's too late now. However I've tried various Oriental greens ealrier in the Autunn and never had much success (probably poor husbandry on my part).

Colin
Allan
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If you have any slightly warm area i.e. above about 8 deg.C.you can be starting it now at regular intervals, once germinated harden off and plant under cloche or in tunnel. I cannot give you an exact end date as I am still trying it out, I think it is worth going on untll February, with single seed sowing what have you got to lose.
Mibuna, Mizuna, Komatsuna all still possible.
Allan
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John
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Hello Allan
What is a suitable sowing time for Pak Choi please? Early Spring?
I have Joy Larkcom's book 'Oriental Vegetables' and she suggests early Spring for this variety. BTW this is a really excellent book for info on growing these vegetables - a mine of useful information that's difficult to find elswhere. Do you use it?

John
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Tigger
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I don't know if Allan uses it, but I certainly do. It's one of my favourites.
Allan
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Yes I use it. It is the best source that I know for more offbeat vegetables. Joy has put a lot of effort into collecting and collating information on the less than usual topics, but like us mere mortals she has her limitations. I also have her 'Oriental Vegetables'.
The point that I am trying to make is that my experience is that it comes into its own only in the cooler months. I tried the summer months, waste of time. I would never again sow it before August. It is the same with many 'orientals' so let us turn a handicap to our advantage.
Last edited by Allan on Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Johnboy
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Hi John,
If you sow Pak Choi in modules in late March and plant out as soon as ready without holding it back you will get a good crop. It is fast growing and if you sow small amounts at two week intervals until the end of April you will have success. As the year warms up you can try but after that it is best to sow as Allan suggests. I have had many good crops with the method I have described with Spring sowing.
JB.
darrenc
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Allan ,can you recomend a variety of pak choi that is small and doesnt turn into a hispi size over night.
Allan
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Pak Choi are fast growing so you just have to cut them at the right time. We have no difficulty with Mei Quing Choi(F1).If I knew of anything smaller I would not be growing it. Anything more you will just have to look around at descriptions as I don't have any information. It would be stupid to buy F1 seed and treat it as a CCA, the seed is too expensive for that.
Allan
Later:-
Darren C,Have a look at that Canton Dwarf, it may suit you.
Allan
darrenc
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Cheers Allan, will do.
always_mowing
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Allan, could you recommend where can i order these pak choi seeds, please?
I eat pak choi and joi choic (sp?) but don't have a clue where to get the seeds and I'm keen to grow my own.
many thanks,
Tom
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alan refail
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Hi Always m

Alan (one L) replying.

Almost any seed company has pak choi (joi choi is just a variety of pak choi). I've just done a search and found a good selection here

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/p ... k-choi.htm

Before growing pak choi do a google search and you will find lots of useful info.

If you want more advice I'm sure Allan (2 Ls) or I will oblige.

Alan
Cred air o bob deg a glywi, a thi a gei rywfaint bach o wir (hen ddihareb Gymraeg)
Believe one tenth of what you hear, and you will get some little truth (old Welsh proverb)
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Johnboy
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Hi Always M,
Although I only have King's Commercial Catalogue they have masses of Orientals which means they will be available. Maybe if they are not in their home catalogue try Suffolk Herbs which is also part of the King's stable. Very good people to deal with and their backup is exceedingly good.
JB.
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