pak choi

[vicki]

One of my neighbours up at the allotment has kindly let me have 21 spare pak choi plants! ( couldn't say no!! ) I'm not sure how I'll be able to tell when they are ready to harvest - are they a 'cut and come again' kind of crop or do I pull up the whole plant when it gets to a certain size?

[Alice]

Hello Vicki, no, they're not cut and come again. You can eat them any size you like but they don't get very big. I just cut them off at ground level. You can steam them whole, or divide into leaves and add to stir fries. Delicious either way. Sowing to eating is 4 to 6 weeks so just note how long they have been in the ground. Enjoy.

That's the Pak Choi about ready for eating just below the wooden contraption. And the ones beside them were planted 2 weeks ago.

[vicki]

Thanks Alice, thats brilliant! I've never tried it before so am looking forward to tasting it!

[Alice]

And Vicki, they're £1.20 for 2 small ones in Asda !

[vicki]

Blimey! Definately one to grow yourself then!
Since I've been growing my own veg I've become sooo much more aware of the shop prices!

[Kimbo]

I grew some in pots and just took the leaves off when they were a decent size and they did grow more leaves so it might depend on the variety mine was tatsoi supi.

[Paulottie]

Vicki, if you cut them like Alice says and not pull them you do get resprouts (if you don't need the space). So that's kinda cut and come again.

[Flummery]

I have some in the garden hearting up but I also add it to my own cut and come again mix in a seed tray on the kitchen windowsill. It's dead versatile. Wouldn't be without it.

[JennieAtkinson]

Mine aren't too far behind yours Alice, so looking forward to a harvest soon!

[Alice]

Great Jennie. I just have to label them the find of the year. So quick and easy. Why are they that price in the supermarket.

[Paulottie]

Yours look a lot less nibbled than mine did tho. Grew mine in the autumn a few years back . I reckon spring is the time and you've definately inspired me to have another go.... And its because supermarkets are the leeches of the modern age I bet the growers are getting no way near 1/8th that price.

[Flummery]

They do need a bit of slug protection Paul - mind you, what doesn't?

[muckman]

Don't forget the flea beetle, little sods.

[Scruffy Duffy]

This thread has just reminded me that we've completely forgotten to buy pak choi and it was one of our first 'must grows'. Looks like I'm off to buy more seeds tomorrow then. I'm going to go with growing everything later than most of you because we seem to have our own climate here on the edge of the Peak District.

Hope you all enjoy your bok (as Worrell Thompson calls it), I know we love it and you're right, it is too expensive in the supermarkets.

I love this home grown lark!

[Flummery]

Be aware that the slugs love it too, Scrufyy Duffy. I have netted my pak choi bed now (having found a few lacy ones!) so I can put down some slug pellets without harm to my birds.
I grew up in Manchester and we used to take the train to walk near your area. Glossop, Buxton etc - old stomping ground!

Flum