Brassica rapa pekinensis
| Brassica rapa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Brassica rapa pekinensis (common name: chinese cabbage)
Propagation: Seed - it can be sown from late May to September in situ[1]. The spring sown crops often run to seed very quickly but 'barrel' types can be sown at this time. If seedlings are germinated at a temperature of 18 - 20°c and then grown on at this temperature for their first few weeks, they are then less likely to bolt[1]. Seed usually germinates within 3 - 4 days[1]. A late summer sowing under protection can provide leaves in the winter[1]. Seedlings can be transplanted when about 3 - 4 weeks old[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[2][3][4]. Succeeds in acid and alkaline soils[5][4]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7[1]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 6.8. Prefers a heavy soil[2] and grows badly in sandy ones[4]. Prefers full sun[4][1] and a sheltered position[1]. Likes some shade[2]. Drought resistant according to one report[6], whilst another says that the plants are shallow-rooted and have very little resistance to drought[1]. They require about 5 gallons of water from sowing to maturity[1].
Plants are not fully winter hardy in Britain, though mature plants withstand light frosts to about -3°c[6][1]. Plants prefer coolish weather during their growing season, a temperature range of 13 - 20°c is ideal[1].
The Chinese cabbage is widely cultivated, especially in China and Japan, for its edible leaves[7]. It looks like a large cos lettuce or cabbage and has a crisp, watery texture with a mustard-like taste[8]. There are many named varieties[7][1]. Those forms with loose heads were developed for areas with hotter summers, whilst compact-headed forms were developed for cooler areas[1]. The loose-headed forms are less prone to bolt, are more resistant to cold and are more disease-resistant[1]. An annual to biennial species, it is normally grown as an annual[1]. Plants take from 55 - 100 days from sowing to maturity, depending on variety, the loose-headed forms are usually 2 - 3 weeks faster than compact-headed forms[1]. Plants do not like root disturbance so should not be transplanted unless grown in individual pots[1].
Plants are highly resistant to fungus attacks and the cabbage moth[6], they are also slow to bolt in hot weather[6]. Some cultivars are more resistant to bolting when sown in spring than other forms[1].
There is some evidence that interplanting this species with dill and garlic can lessen the attacks of caterpillars[1].
A good bee plant[9].
Range: A cultivar of garden origin.
Habitat: Not known in the wild, it is possibly a cross between B. campestris rapa (the turnip) and B. napus chinensis (Pak-choi)[1].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[10][6][11]. A crisp, watery texture with a naturally sweet taste, it is best eaten raw in salads[10][1]. The plant can be eaten as a young seedling, or left to grow into a mature plant[1]. The flavour is quickly ruined by prolonged cooking[1]. Leaves can also be dried for winter use[1]. The heads of mature plants can be 50cm long and weigh up to 4.5 kg[4][1]. Fresh leaves do not store well and are best used within a day or two of harvesting[1]. A nutritional analysis is available[12].
Flowering shoots - raw or cooked[1]. Sweet and tender[13].
Medicinal: The leaves are depurative[12].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: B. campestris pekinensis. B. cernua. B. pekinensis. (Lour.)Rupr.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 Larkcom, Joy. Oriental Vegetables. John Murray, 1991.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Vegetables. Macmillan Reference Books, 1995.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1986.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.