Growing Pak Choy, also Pak choi

Brassica campestris var. pekinensis : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S S            
        T T T T        
        P P P          

(Best months for growing Pak Choy in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 21°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm apart
  • Harvest in 6-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, coriander), lettuce, potatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

16 May 14, Lona (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Planted Pak Choy about 4 tp 5 weeks they are growing well but have stared to seed Can it be eaten now
08 Jan 14, Leigh (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Pak Choy seedlings gone to seed soon after planting in hot house. Any reason why ?
26 Feb 14, Betty (Australia - temperate climate)
I find pak choy plants go so seed in the summer months, I find autumn plantings better. They germinate quickly in the garden, usually under a week. I plant seeds other months as well to keep a supply of the greens but use them quickly, sometimes even with the flower head. - Betty
05 Jan 14, Phil Blayden (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Planted seeds approx. 5 weeks ago they came up within 3 days. I have thinned the crop out as suggested and now the plants are going to seed. I have tried cutting back the seed heads but it does not help the plant still want to go to seed. They not developing the way that I thought they would. Have you any suggestions.
08 Mar 14, Shelley (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Phil, once they start seeding they will continue. Although you should be able to harvest up to ten weeks, the plant is actually mature in six weeks. How much fertilizer did you use. Compost is the best solution for them, the ground should remain moist, but not soggy. The ground may not go completely dry either, this may cause the plant to start seeding. Keep in mind that if you want to have this plant year round, you should sow every four to six weeks. If you harvest the leaves, seeds don't form that fast. If you plan to harvest the whole plant at once, harvest the sixth week, else the leaves become old.
11 Dec 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi again Lorraine :) Yes, it's teeny slugs that are doing the damage - and boy can they eat !!! I read a couple of forums about safe ways to get rid of them (I have two little dogs) and am trying this method and it does kill them. However, you can't just put it on the plant, you have to make contact with them. So when it's raining, or night time. 100mls of Cloudy Ammonia to 400mls water in a spray bottle and zap them. To that you can add a drizzle of washing up detergent so it sticks to them better, and they die instantly. There is heaps of slug ideas/info out there like using crushed eggshells, beer traps - there's quite a list. Good luck, and am wishing me the same ;)
08 Dec 13, Lorraine (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What makes the small holes in bok choy
09 Dec 13, Veronica (Australia - temperate climate)
I would love others thoughts/opinions on that to Lorraine, but I have found the teeniest, weeniest little slugs on mine over the last couple of days. Also found really teeny flies on it as well. Anyone know how to get get rid of these little hole makers ??
29 Jun 13, Karen maher (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi. I live in ballarat and as most people know it can get rather cold. I have four lop eared rabbits who just love bok choy. They are costing me a fortune. Lucky I love them. Is it possible to grow bok choy here. If so when would I plant them. Obviously I'm not a gardener but would like to have a go. Thanku karen.
02 Dec 13, Dave S (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I also live in Ballarat and gave grown bok choy almost year round. It produced well until about May last year, and I've been looking for some more for the garden since the beginning of spring but haven't seen much around locally. It does tend to bolt quickly during late summer but I find if I pick the leaves regularly it slows down a bit. Does tend to be very thirsty, too.
Showing 21 - 30 of 62 comments

Can Pak Choi be grown in a PVC greenhouse during East Gippsland (Lakes Entrance) winter? Thanks someone.

- Clive

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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