| |
Brassica rapa pekinensis Chinese cabbage (1 Page of 5) The Brassica rapa pekinensis plant species is found in A cultivar of garden origin. It is a member of the Cruciferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Chinese cabbage. Some home gardeners know the variety as B. campestris pekinensis. B. cernua. B. pekinensis. (Lour.)Rupr. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Brassica rapa pekinensis Common Name: Chinese cabbage Family: Cruciferae Author: Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 0.45 Mature Width: Habitat: Not known in the wild, it is possibly a cross between B. campestris rapa (the turnip) and B. napus chinensis (Pak-choi)[206].
Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[16, 52, 200]. Succeeds in acid and alkaline soils[166, 200]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7[206]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 6.8. Prefers a heavy soil[16] and grows badly in sandy ones[200]. Prefers full sun[200, 206] and a sheltered position[206]. Likes some shade[16]. Drought resistant[160]. Plants are shallow-rooted and have very little resistance to drought[206]. They require about 5 gallons of water from sowing to maturity[206].
Plants are not fully winter hardy in Britain, though mature plants withstand light frosts to about -3°c[160, 206]. Plants prefer coolish weather during their growing season, a temperature range of 13 - 20°c is ideal[206].
The Chinese cabbage is widely cultivated, especially in China and Japan, for its edible leaves[88]. There are many named varieties[88, 206]. Those forms with loose heads were developed for areas with hotter summers, whilst compact-headed forms were developed for cooler areas[206]. The loose-headed forms are less prone to bolt, are more resistant to cold and are more disease-resistant[206]. An annual to biennial species, it is normally grown as an annual[206]. 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[206]. Plants do not like root disturbance so should not be transplanted unless grown in individual pots[206].
Plants are highly resistant to fungus attacks and the cabbage moth[160], they are also slow to bolt in hot weather[160]. Some cultivars are more resistant to bolting when sown in spring than other forms[206].
There is some evidence that interplanting this species with dill and garlic can lessen the attacks of caterpillars[206].
A good bee plant[108].
For further Brassica rapa pekinensis gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

| |