Baby Bok Choy Didn't Do Well

[ninnymary]

This is the second year I've planted bok choy and it has not done very well.

I planted them in early spring and they already had the beginnings of a bolting sprout so I harvested them. The bottom never formed the small bulb that you see of the ones in the stores. They grew to about 5" tall.

At first I thought I hadn't planted them deep enough. The plant seemed to be barely in the ground. The planting instructions said to bury the seed 1/4" in moist rich soil. Well, I did that.

Perhaps I don't have the kind that forms a bulb? I have the oriental greens ching chang bok choy.

It's really disappointing since I thought I had ideal growing conditions for it.

Mary

 

[vfem]

2 rounds of my bok choy bolted last year as well. They did best in the fall here. Hope that helps... I don't know your climate very well though for any better advice. :/

 

[digitS']

Mary, they grow differently at different times of the year.

As far as harvesting them goes, you gotta be flexible .

I've harvested bok choy when it was no larger than my index finger and have grown "baby" bok choy that was bigger around than my forearm.

Sow seed in succession and you will see what I mean. And, if they bolt - don't despair! As long as the flowering stalk isn't as tiny as a silly pencil . . . and, even if it is . . . take that in and eat it! If you haven't been able to use up all the bigguns and they send up a shoot thick as a broccoli stem: Compost the lower part of the plant and use that flowering stalk. It will be sweet and tender!

I have grown Ching Chiang before and found it a little too variable. It is one thing to expect that bok choy will differ from month to month but Ching Chiang was variable in the same bed.

So, that's my advice, Mary: Sow seed often in fertile ground with adequate sunlight and sufficient water.

Steve

 

[hoodat]

It's important to keep bak choy growing fast and don't let it pause by drying out or running out of nitrogen. It needs very rich soil. All is not lost if it bolts. The flower shoots are delicious. Just harvest the whole plant and cook the leaves and flower sprouts together. All bak choys are not equal. Certain types are more likely to bolt than others. Unfortunately if you buy off the rack the type will not be identified. It will only say bak choy on the pack.