Bok choy is a very popular vegetable among various cuisines, and its delectable flavor is just second nature to its popularity. As a matter of fact, this cool-season plant is very easy to grow; even beginners will learn to appreciate it. Since it is easy to grow and harvest, beginner gardeners might worry if bok choy regrows after harvest. In this article, we will answer this question and more.
A Quick Look At The Benefits Of Bok Choy
Bok choy (Brassica rapa chinensis) is a type of Chinese cabbage that does not form heads but instead forms a cluster of green lead blades. It is popular in Southern China, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, where it is a staple ingredient to some of their major cuisines.
Because it is a green leafy vegetable, bok choy provides many benefits to your overall health, hence the need to grow and regrow after harvest. Since bok choy contains vitamin C, incorporating it into your dishes can help reduce the risk of damage to your skin that is caused by pollution and the heat of the sun. Moreover, bok choy consists of quercetin, a flavonoid that can help reduce your risk of developing chronic health issues. Hence, you may want to include this green leafy vegetable in your diet if you are prone to having diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
How To Grow Bok Choy?
As mentioned earlier, growing bok choy is easy and convenient; even beginner gardeners can plant this vegetable by only using seeds. Sow the seeds about one-fourth inches deep. They should be spaced approximately an inch apart. You should begin to see the plants start to germinate within four to eight days.
We recommend sowing the seeds in early spring or late summer. Because it needs well-drained and nutrient-rich soil, planting it during these seasons would work best. The soil should have a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. To further improve the quality of the soil, you can incorporate compost.
You should note that the thick stems need a lot of water in order to grow well. Till the soil gently around the plants so that you can increase the level of oxygen in the ground, allowing for healthier growth of the roots. And do not forget to keep the plants moist at all times to keep them from wilting.
If you do not have seeds with you, you can still grow bok choy from both cuttings and scraps. All you need is a beginner stalk in order to commence the process of growing bok choy.
Does Bok Choy Regrow After Harvest?
Simply put, yes. Bok choy regrows after you have already harvested it. As a matter of fact, regrowing this Asian vegetable is quick and convenient; you can save your time and money by simply growing it organically. You would not need to depend on grocery stores for your to enjoy this tasty green leafy vegetable.
Where To Get Bok Choy To Regrow?
While it is true that once you have grown your own bok choy at home, you do not need to buy from supermarkets anymore. But for regrowing purposes, you can purchase one at any grocery store. Take the stalks with you because they are necessary for regrowing the plant. You do not need to sterilize the stalks before growing them at home. Like any other vegetable, using any bok choy for regrowing would surely be sufficient. We suggest using any type of bok choy, which includes: Chinese cabbage, baby bok choy, or Pak choy, among others.
What Are The Cultivars To Choose From?
You may only see one variety of bok choy sold at the store, but there are actually many types to choose from. These varieties differ in the colors of the stems and leaves and their crispiness. Here are a few of our top picks, especially if you plan to regrow bok choy after harvest.
Tatsoi Rosette
This variety is characterized by having dark green leaves that are shaped like teardrops. The leaves arrange themselves around the center of the plant. This variety prefers cool temperatures.
Joi Choi
Joi Choi stands straight and upright on its thick stalks. The leaves, on the other hand, are characterized as dark and green. It can adapt to various growing conditions.
White Stem
This variety is able to handle frost better than the rest of the types. When mature, its dark green leaves spread like fans.
How To Regrow Bok Choy
For replanting, all you need are the stalks of the bok choy. Take a lot with you so that you can quickly propagate them and so that you would have an unlimited supply of bok choy a home.
To begin with, fill up a jar or a vase with water. We recommend using containers with narrow mouths for good results. Be sure that you are able to fill a minimum of approximately three inches. Adding more water would mean less topping off because of evaporation.
Since the thick stems of the stalk need a lot of water, placing them on a jar filled with insufficient water can be detrimental to the plant’s development. Slowly drop the stems into the vase. Depending on your container, you can even just let the plant soak and leave it to float.
After placing the stalk inside the jar, you must ensure that the leaves are exposed to sufficient air and sunlight.
If you cannot get the bok choy stalks to stay put, you can utilize a small hook to hold the leaves to the edge of the jar and keep them from sinking and swaying around.
Since bok choy grows well in cool temperatures, you have to place the stalks where it is moist, yet it can still grasp sunlight. Just don’t let it be exposed to the heat of the sun. It will only wilt your stalks.
When you notice that the stalk has developed a root system, you can already transplant it into the soil. Make sure that the base of the stalk is approximately one inch deep under the soil. Keep it moist so that it can produce dark green leaves.
How To Harvest Bok Choy?
You can harvest the bok choy once its leaves become usable. To reap the bok choy, cut off the plant at the soil level. You can quickly know where to cut it by looking a where the stem would connect with the leaves. After which, you can cook some of the stalks and use the remaining stalks of the bok choy to regrow after harvest.