bok choy

Dumb question: I just planted bok choy but am now wondering (a little late!) if different varieties of it are meant to be picked small while other varieties are meant to be grown to large size, OR are they all meant to be picked at whatever size you like? And does it change what you do with them? As you can see, I'm new at growing bok choy.

Based on where I have these planted, I'm thinking I'll need to pick them on the small side, so I hope I haven't planted the wrong stuff.

Bok choy is a general term because these Asian veggies comes different varieties. If you go the an oriental grocery store you find out what I am talking about. Pick them young. Belle

I'm growing some Soloist Cabbages, 40-50 DTM, that are identified as Baby Japanese (like a Bok Choy). They're picked when small, and look like baby Romaine lettuce hearts...

Google your variety?

Belle, thanks for the further info.

Gymgirl, good idea on the google! My seed pack didn't have the variety listed, but I reviewed my ebay purchase history and discovered that the variety is called "Pak Choi White Stem." And, based on a few websites, it looks like it will mature in 45 days and grow to be 8-10" -- which seems like it's on the small side (and that suits me fine).

(So far, every seed has germinated! Yeah!).

LiseP,
If you like them on the small side, check out those Soloist Cabbages! They are, by far, one of the prettiest little seedlings I've ever grown. At this point, I'm content just watching them lay out like an Emerald Green Carpet. They're the fastest growers in the bunch right now -- except for the mustards and collards!

Here's a pic. They're to the right, however, this picture does them no justice. The leaves look like velvet and they lay out rather flat, almost like a water lily! I can't wait to taste them!

This message was edited Sep 14, 2011 5:18 PM

does anyone know which variety makes the long thick stems with a little bluegreen leaf (like collards) at the top like you get at the grocery store? i've tried several over the last few years years and they all look and taste more like mustards even in the packs that looked like and described what i want.

http://chinesefood.about.com/library/blphotobokchoy2.htm

Is this the variety you seek? If so, I hope someone will recognize it for you. Good luck!

Ooh, an emerald green carpet sounds nice (as long as it is not grass, lol). Very pretty. You'll have to let us know how it does as it grows, and how it tastes!

I don't know what bok choy variety you might be seeking. The variety I'm growing -- bok choy white stem -- looks striking according to the google images, with a white stalk and dark green leaves. It seems like a fairly common variety though, so I'm betting you've already eliminated that one.

that's the one. hopefully someone knows the variety

LOL, what I was trying to say, but didn't make clear, is that the packet of seeds I bought had listed as the name..."Bok Choy White Stem." I should have put it in caps and quotes. Anyway, if you google on that, you'll get a lot of hits, so I think that's actually a variety name. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Okay ladies,
I use to plant them but DH will not eat them if there are holes. He found a worm in a dish with Bok choy years ago and since then will not eat Bok choy from my garden. LOL!!!
]
Bellie

http://evergreenseeds.stores.yahoo.net/vegetableseeds.html

I recommend this store, they have huge selection on Bok Choy.

I have read that worms are a GREAT source of protein...

Which is easier to grow, Spinach,BokChoy,or Swiss Chard. I have never grown any of these, but I would like to. My try at growing Cabbage was a disaster.

Behillman,
I can help you with growing cabbages if you want. Send me a dmail. The pic is of a purple one I grew last fall/wtr.

This'll be my first attempt at spinach from seeds, but I think I've got a method down.

Hugs!

These are some of the cabbage seedlings I have from seeds I sowed August 6th. They're just about ready for hardening off, and should have been in the garden since mid-September, but we're having the summer from H _ _ _ here and they would've burned up just looking at them!

This pic taken 9/8/11.

behillman, I personally think the Swiss Chard is the easiest to grow. The Chinese cabbage aren't difficult but I like the flavor of the chard the best. For me the chard is more cold hearty.

It STORMED here yesterday, and I think I got all 3" of the rain that fell!

The rain fell in torrents for about 3 hours, then slacked up for about 20 minutes. Then, it started ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!

HALLELUIA! HALLELUIA! HALLELUIA!

My grass has grown a full 3 feet since the rain (kidding!)

Linda, doing the rain dance "^^_^^"

Yep, I measured 3 inches too. The yard is really looking perky (and muddy) today.

Update on Bok choy - the bok choy I planted in cinderblock holes and on the ground in front of the blocks have suffered a lot from insect damage. I'm having great luck though -- knock on wood -- with some in pots and hanging planters.