Pak Choi continental seeds

Pak Choi is a cool-weather plant that will bolt and go to seed quickly in warm weather and long day. It has a very vigorous plant growth suitable for growing yield round.

Features:

·         Uniform and good shape.

·         Plant has dark green leaves that are attractive to the market and with high shelf life.

·         A thick stem brings good weight.

·         Maturity: 45 days after sowing.

·         Yield potential:  8 – 10 tons / acre.

·         Excellent tolerance to tip-burn and white blister.

Benefits:

Pak Choi provides us not only with core antioxidants that can help to prevent cell damage from free radicals, which may help to lower your cancer risk.

Planting:

Pak Choi may be intercropped with herbs and other vegetables. Pak-choi seeds germinate in 1-2 days and are ready for transplanting in about 10–14 days after germination.

·         Place one seedling into each planting hole and be careful not to cover the base of the first leaves with soil.

·         Ensure that the seedlings are firmly positioned by pressing the soil around them with your hand.

·         After transplanting, apply a soil insecticide and soil fungicide at the recommended rates to protect the seedling in its early stages.

·         Keep the plants free from weeds at all times.

Watering:

Water the plants immediately after transplanting. Thereafter, water daily if there is not sufficient rainfall. When watering, add water to the ground at the base of the plant to avoid splashing soil unto the leaves. Remember to use clean water to irrigate the plants.

Fertilizer application:

·         Immediately after transplanting, apply 5g (1 tsp) of a granular NPK fertilizer such as 12:24:12 to each plant to encourage root growth. Be sure to place this fertilizer at least 5 cm (2 in) away from the plant.

·         On the 7th, 14^th, and 21st days after transplanting apply a granular NPK fertilizer e.g., 20:10:10, at a rate of about 1–3 tsp (5–15 g) per plant depending on the health of the plant.

·         Alternatively, a foliar fertilizer can be used weekly e.g., 20:20:20 at a rate of 5g (1 tsp) to 4 liters (1 gal) of water. Apply 125 ml (1/2 cup) of this mixture to the leaves and root area of each plant.

Pest and disease and control:

Black rot:

Black rot can be controlled by the use of resistant varieties.

Good weed control.

Proper drainage ensures that the soil is not acidic.

Spraying plants with a copper-based fungicide.

Leaf miners:

Leaf miners are controlled by good weed control, avoiding excessive use of fertilizers and if necessary, using insecticides that are safe for human health and the environment.

Budworms:

Budworms are controlled by mixed cropping encouraging natural enemies such as wasps.

Plants known to ward off insects may be planted nearby, such as marigold and chive.

If necessary, use insecticides that are safe for human health and the environment.

Harvesting:

Most varieties mature in about 4-5 weeks after transplanting although it is not unusual to harvest earlier than this. Harvest by cutting the entire head from the soil and trimming off old, dead leaves. When harvesting is delayed, the leaves are characteristically bitter, and purplish streaks are seen on the stems. Do not harvest just after rain or if dew is present to avoid cracking of the leaves. Pak Choi can be placed in perforated plastic bags and kept in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 weeks.

Ingredients:

·         Beta-carotene.

·         Folate.

·         Selenium. Help to slow the growth rate of tumors.

·         Vitamin E.

·         Vitamin C.

·         Manganese.

·         Zinc.