There are many different types of Chinese cabbages. You can use Michihili cabbage in any of your favorite cabbage recipes. As with many aspects of Chinese culture, Chinese cabbage has a very long history. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected Chinese cabbage are being sold here in the supermarkets of England and widely sold in Asian Stores. They will not grow in sandy or clay soil. Put companion plants, and other Chinese cabbage, at least 12 to 18 inches (30.5cm-45.7cm) away from your Chinese cabbage seeds. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Some varieties grow better with tighter or looser spacing. The Chinese version of sauerkraut, called suan cai, made Chinese cabbage a staple in North… Thin seedlings to 30cm (12in) apart for large heads or to 15cm (7in) apart for ‘cut and come again’ salad leaves. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Leaves are covered in small holes and damaged areas turn brown. Hold off spring sowing outdoors until after your last frost date, or be prepared with some type of row covers. In fall, cut heads high, leaving the base of the plant intact. If you want larger heads on your Chinese cabbage, space each out by about 1.5 feet. You can harvest cabbage when the head is of suitable size, firm but tender. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. You do not want the soil too wet, however, because it can rot the plant. Outer leaves should be removed before storing cabbage. It is fast growing and can be ready for cutting in as little as six or seven weeks. ‘Questar’:Medium-large with dark green outer leaves and firm. Chinese cabbage needs a deep, moisture-retentive soil and a firm bed on an open sunny site; it benefits from some shade in summer. To grow this plant from seeds, you can plant them immediately in open ground, or you can grow seedlings first. Chinese cabbage: It's delicious and nutritious, and it can be grown in two to three months. Seedlings are particularly susceptible. One of the steps to grow Chinese cabbage is to prepare the soil. Just cut off the outer leaves at the base using gardening shears. Seedlings are most vulnerable. Chinese cabbage is an excellent addition to any garden. % of people told us that this article helped them. Also, it depends upon the variety. And in 60 to 105 days if you grow through transplantation. Prepare the garden bed for growing chinese cabbage by digging in a complete fertilizer one week before planting. If it is all clay, it probably won’t drain well, which is important. Chinese cabbage, scientific name Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis and pekinensis, refers to two different varieties of Chinese vegetables commonly used in Chinese cuisines. It’s best to remove diseased plants from the garden and dispose of them. Remove the head and leave the stump to produce more, smaller heads or ‘cut and come again’ leaves. How to Grow Vegetables: Chinese Cabbage. Keep the cabbage seedlings inside until they're three to four inches tall, and have at least four or five leaves each. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. How to Grow Chinese Cabbage. Allow the cabbage to grow and thin it after two weeks till the leaves are healthy and tall. Protect maturing plants with cloches, from autumn onwards, to stop moisture from rotting the heart. Make rows 18 to 30 inches (45.7 to 76.2 cm) apart. times, RHS Registered Charity no. Chinese cabbage may be direct sown or started indoors early for fall and spring crops. Add manure and fertiliser before sowing. Sow thinly outdoors from June to August, every three weeks for successional crops, 1cm (½in) deep in rows 38cm (15in) apart. Caren White is a Master Gardener and instructor at Home Gardeners School. Check the seed packets for addition spacing information. Small heads will often regrow from the stub. Plant Chinese cabbage in well-worked, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Always work the soil over well and add compost before you plant the seeds. Fill the jar with a fresh, light mixture containing ingredients such as finely chopped bark, compost or peat. There are many ways to control slugs and snails, including beer traps, sawdust or eggshell barriers, copper tape and biocontrols. Additionally, thin out any Chinese cabbages that grow about a foot apart for flavorful heads. The Chinese name is 白菜/大白菜. View all Chinese cabbage at the RHS Plants Shop. It's known by its scientific name Brassica Pekinensis, but the most common names associated with Chinese cabbage are Napa cabbage or Chinese leaves. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Chinese cabbage is used mostly by restaurant owners for their menus especially the Chinese and other Oriental restaurants. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 14,560 times. Cabbage grows well in sandy loam soil. In the South and other frost-free areas, sow from fall to spring. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. When cabbages heads start to appear, give them an extra growing boost by applying a light dressing of fertilizer. One of the steps to grow Chinese cabbage is to prepare the soil carefully. To grow Chinese cabbage in a pot, start with a pot about 20 cm (50 cm) deep and at least 12 cm (30 cm) wide so that you can grow a plant. It has a mild delicate flavor and is very popular in a wide variety of Asian cuisines. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow seeds from spring to early summer in the North, again in midsummer for a fall crop. How to Grow Bok Choy (Chinese Cabbage) Author: Caren White. How Long Does Cabbage Take to Grow. Replenish the compost halfway through the growing season. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Chinese cabbage seeds are also sold in garden Centers but are very expensive. Sow in very fertile soil and water carefully to ensure good growth and to suppress bolting. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Slow to bolt and can be harvested around 65 days from sowing; claims to be club-root resistant. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. You do not want the soil too wet, though, because it can rot the plant. Chinese cabbage can be stored for up to 3 months in the refrigerator if a cup of water is placed in the crisper drawer with the cabbage. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Plant-Chinese-Cabbage-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Chinese-Cabbage-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Plant-Chinese-Cabbage-Step-1.jpg\/aid8992929-v4-728px-Plant-Chinese-Cabbage-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"