How to Grow Chinese Kale (Gai Lan)? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Management Techniques

Chinese kale is a nutrient-rich vegetable grown in the southern regions of our country. The main edible parts are the tender flower stalks and leaves. So how do you grow Chinese kale?

1. Soil

Chinese kale does not have many requirements for the soil of the planting site, but it is best not to grow it in continuous cropping, and planting sites where the previous crop was a cruciferous plant are not suitable for growing Chinese kale. If you want a high yield of Chinese kale, it is best to choose a sandy loam or loam soil that is rich in organic matter, has strong water and fertilizer retention, and has a moderate pH. Do not plant it in heavy clay or sandy soil, as the permeability is too poor.

2. Fertilization

The growth of Chinese kale has a relatively large demand for nutrients, but we need to apply topdressing reasonably. During the growing period of Chinese kale, the nutrients required are not great, so when the base fertilizer is applied sufficiently, no topdressing is needed. After the seedlings have developed well and gradually grow flower stalks, we need to apply topdressing, mainly with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ternary compound fertilizer, among which the proportion of potassium fertilizer should be the largest, because Chinese kale has the strongest ability to absorb potassium. Of course, if conditions permit, it is best to use organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer in combination, as this can improve the quality of Chinese kale.

3. Temperature

Chinese kale has certain temperature requirements. The seeds of Chinese kale generally need to germinate in an environment with a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees, while the optimal temperature for Chinese kale to grow flower stalks is between 15 and 25 degrees. A large temperature difference between day and night is best, as this is more conducive to the growth of Chinese kale. If the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, it is very unfavorable to the development of Chinese kale and may even cause the plant to wither, so in summer we had best carry out physical cooling.

4. Water

The entire growing period of Chinese kale has a relatively large demand for water, because it has the characteristics of liking moisture and not tolerating drought. So during the growth process of Chinese kale, we should water frequently to keep the soil moist. The field humidity is best controlled at around 85 percent. Of course, the amount of water each time does not need to be too large. Although its waterlogging tolerance is relatively strong, if there is too much water, it will also cause the plant roots to rot.

5. Light

Chinese kale is a vegetable that is extremely intolerant of shade, so it needs sufficient light during its growth process. Although it has no requirements for the duration of light, it must maintain uniform light every day, and there must not be a shortage of light, otherwise the development of Chinese kale will be relatively slow, and it is very prone to poor development.

There are many ways to eat Chinese kale; it can be served as a cold dish or stir-fried plainly. It is loved by people in the south, and it is also very simple to grow, making it suitable for the general public to plant.