How To Grow Pak Choi / RHS Gardening

Pak choi is easy to look after, especially during the cool damp weather of spring and early autumn.

Watering 

Pak choi grows best in moist soil, so you may need to water in dry weather, especially when plants are young. When growing in containers, pak choi requires regular watering, as potting compost Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. dries out quickly. To reduce the need for watering, grow this crop in spring/early summer or late summer/autumn when the weather is cooler and damper.If you do need to water, the best time to do so is in the morning, so the plants can grow steadily through the day. Avoid watering in the middle of the day in hot weather, as the moisture will evaporate quickly. Watering in the evening may not be ideal either, as damp soil overnight can attract slugs and snails. For more water-wise tips, see our guides below.

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Mulching

If you plan to grow your pak choi to maturity, spread mulch Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. over the soil around the plants to help hold in moisture and deter weeds. Use a thick layer of organic matter, such as garden compost, and apply to damp ground. Mulching Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. is not usually necessary nor practical for cut-and-come-again crops.

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Weeding

Weed regularly, so young plants don’t get overwhelmed by vigorous weeds or have to compete for moisture or light, which can slow their growth. Weeds can also provide hiding places for slugs and snails, which may damage the crop.

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Flowering

Pak choi is susceptible to bolting (flowering prematurely), especially in hot, dry weather. So, if you’ll be growing the crop in summer, choose a bolt When a vegetable plant starts flowering and forming seeds, often prematurely, making the crop unusable – salad leaves may turn bitter and root crops fail to swell. Adverse weather or changes in day length can cause bolting in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuces, onions , carrots and otheer root crops. -resistant variety and harvest as salad leaves or semi-mature heads. Also keep the soil moist and grow in a cool, lightly shaded spot.If the plants do start to send up flower stems, remove these and add to salads or stir-fries before the buds A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. open. Harvest the rest of the plant straight away too, as it will only deteriorate. Any other plants sown at the same time are likely to start flowering soon, so harvest them promptly.