Seeds from Pak Choi

[Curlykale]

My Pak Choi has bolted and some of the stems are full of thin 'pods'. Can I sow the seeds from the pods to raise new plants? Can I sow them straight away or do I need to dry them or do anything else with them first?

Also, are Pak Choi and Spinach still edible once they have bolted?

[zazen999]

The pods will start to turn brown from the bottom to the top - once half are brown, then's the time to cut them and put the lot into a paper bag. Then let them all dry. They are ripe once the seeds all turn dark brown. The paper cases flick open when they are properly dry and release the seed.

I believe they can be sown as soon as they are dry, they don't need a period of cold as my propagation bible says that they are originally Mediterranean in origin so try a few and see if they germinate. IF not, leave them in an airing cupboard for a few weeks and try again.

I still eat Spinach after it's bolted but I've not tried Pak Choi.....

[Two_Sheds]

Personally, I'd want to collect the seeds of a pak choi that DIDN'T bolt in summer

[Curlykale]

The pods will start to turn brown from the bottom to the top - once half are brown, then's the time to cut them and put the lot into a paper bag. Then let them all dry. They are ripe once the seeds all turn dark brown. The paper cases flick open when they are properly dry and release the seed.

I believe they can be sown as soon as they are dry, they don't need a period of cold as my propagation bible says that they are originally Mediterranean in origin so try a few and see if they germinate. IF not, leave them in an airing cupboard for a few weeks and try again.

I still eat Spinach after it's bolted but I've not tried Pak Choi.....

Thanks Zazen - I'll give it a go.

[Curlykale]

Personally, I'd want to collect the seeds of a pak choi that DIDN'T bolt in summer

Hmmm you have a point there TS!