How to Grow Small Bok Choy on a Balcony? A Detailed Guide to Practical Growing Methods

More and more people choose to use their small balconies at home to grow vegetables and fruits that are convenient and easy to manage, and among them, bok choy is one of the popular choices. So, what growing methods are there for small bok choy on a balcony? Let's take a look together.

1. Bok Choy Profile

Alias: baby bok choy, rapeseed, small rapeseed

The rapeseed whose seeds can be pressed for oil is also known as rapeseed; it has two varieties, brassica and purple caitai, whose leaves have a powdery bloom and whose basal leaves are pinnately lobed, unlike baby bok choy.

Growing season: August to October (it can be grown every year, but autumn and winter are best; in the north, it is better to grow it indoors in winter)

2. Raising Seedlings

When the temperature is higher, direct sowing is suitable; when the temperature is lower, you can sow first and then transplant.

1. First water the potting soil thoroughly. Mix the seeds with fine soil and broadcast them on the soil surface, then cover lightly with soil, just enough to cover the seeds; it must not be too thick. You can use a sprayer to moisten the surface soil and keep it moist. They generally sprout in about 3-4 days, and about 1 week is needed when the temperature is low.

You can also use the dibbling method, with 2-3 seeds per hole and a spacing of about 3-5 cm; when the temperature is high, the spacing can be smaller, and when the temperature is lower, the spacing should be slightly larger.

2. During the seedling stage, keep the soil moist. When the temperature is high, water once in the morning and once in the evening; 2 weeks after germination, apply 1 spray of thin decomposed organic fertilizer along with watering.

3. When there are 4-5 true leaves, they can be transplanted and set out. The plant spacing depends on the size of the variety, generally about 15-20 cm; after planting, water thoroughly and provide slight shade, then manage normally once they survive. If transplanting is not needed, thinning must begin, pulling out the larger seedlings. The principle of thinning is to make the seedlings more evenly distributed; it can be done several times until the spacing is suitable, and after each thinning, apply 1 dose of decomposed organic fertilizer.

3. Daily Management

1. There are more pests and diseases in summer, so pay attention to promptly removing old leaves and diseased leaves. If there are pests, remove them as early as possible. Proper supplementation of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer also helps improve the plant's disease resistance.

2. It is not drought-tolerant and needs more water during the growing period, so pay attention to timely watering, but be careful not to let water accumulate, so as to avoid root rot or susceptibility to disease.

3. It needs more fertilizer, mainly nitrogen fertilizer. The fertilizer concentration should be lower in the early stage and can be appropriately increased later. Generally, spray 1 dose of decomposed organic fertilizer each week, and stop fertilizing 2 weeks before harvest.

4. Proper crop rotation can reduce pests and diseases. For example, you can first grow melons and solanaceous vegetables, beans, root vegetables, and other vegetables in spring and summer, then grow baby bok choy, and afterward grow choy sum and cabbage-family vegetables. You can also sow and interplant scallions, garlic, celery, spinach, and others together.

4. Harvesting

Once there are more than 4-5 true leaves, the young plants can be picked at any time for eating. Generally, the growing period should not exceed 2 months, so as not to affect the taste.

5. Nutritional Value

Bok choy is the vegetable richest in minerals and vitamins, rich in calcium, phosphorus, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, selenium, and more. It can enhance the body's immunity, help prevent the formation of cholesterol, and delay aging.