Is there a difference between Shanghai bok choy and baby bok choy? Seed planting time and methods

Shanghai bok choy is also called Shanghai cabbage, Suzhou bok choy, qingjiang cai, qingjiang cai, xiaotang cai, green-stemmed bok choy, qingjiang cabbage, rapeseed, spoon cabbage. But do you know how it differs from baby bok choy? How do you plant its seeds? When do you plant them? According to Brassicaceae data, Shanghai bok choy has larger, thicker leaves, while baby bok choy has relatively smaller leaves and a thinner, longer stem, but Shanghai bok choy is also a type of baby bok choy. It is the most common baby bok choy variety in the East China region around Shanghai.

When are Shanghai bok choy seeds planted?

1. Shanghai bok choy is a variety of baby bok choy with a short growth cycle and can be sown in spring, summer and autumn in the Shanghai area.

2. When sowing in summer, a shade net is needed to lower the temperature and prevent sunburn. Sow in early spring to harvest earlier and prevent bolting. Baby bok choy has relatively many pests, and the leaves are eaten directly, so pay attention to safe pesticide use, use low-toxicity, high-efficiency agricultural chemicals, and require each pesticide to be used only once per growing season; it is best not to use any pesticide during the 2 weeks before harvest. Also pay attention to nitrogen fertilizer use and do not apply too much.

How are Shanghai bok choy seeds planted?

Field soil planting:

1. Variety selection

For summer varieties, choose varieties tolerant to high temperatures, resistant to disease and high-yielding, such as Xiadi and Xiafei, with a growth period of 30d. For autumn, winter and spring varieties, choose varieties tolerant to low temperatures, resistant to disease and high-yielding, such as Jinpin, Huaguan and Huajin, with a growth period of 50d~60d.

2. Land preparation and trench digging

Deeply plow and prepare the bed into a long bed 1.6m wide, 0.2m high and 0.3m trench width (35m); neat length and width are good for management, and the bed surface soil should be finely, evenly and smoothly prepared, which is good for seed germination and a high emergence rate. At the same time, dig drainage ditches around the perimeter, 0.3m wide and 0.3m deep, with the ditches connected to each other, which is good for drainage.

3. Sprinkler irrigation and thinning

Before emergence, sprinkle irrigate 2 times a day in the morning and evening; after emergence is uniform, irrigate once a day in the morning or evening; from the 2-leaf 1-heart stage to the 3-leaf 1-heart stage, thinning should be carried out, with a plant spacing of 10~15cm, which is good for plant growth and increases yield.

5. Scientific fertilization

Apply heavy base fertilizer and multiple topdressings. For base fertilizer, apply 25kg of 48% NPK compound fertilizer (Jin 15) and 50kg of 12% superphosphate per 667m. Topdressing is carried out at the 4-leaf 1-heart stage, 6-leaf 1-heart stage and 8-leaf 1-heart stage respectively, each time broadcasting 20 of 48% NPK compound fertilizer + 10kg of 46% urea, then pumping water for sprinkler irrigation after application to avoid fertilizer falling on the leaves and causing seedling burn.

6. Harvesting

At the 10-leaf 1-heart stage, it can be harvested and sold. If selling to other provinces, stop sprinkling water 1d before harvest, which is good for long-distance transport. When harvesting, use a special harvesting knife to cut from 1~2 leaves above the base, gently pack the vegetables neatly into vegetable baskets, and sell.

Balcony planting:

1. Choose fresh seeds that have not passed their shelf life.

2. Prepare flower pots; if there are not enough pots, you can also plant them under peppers or under roses, which does not take up space. Leaf mold soil is best, fertile and loose. Make the soil as loose as possible.

3. If the temperature is relatively high, they will sprout in four or five days. At this time, water less, often expose them to the sun, and do not fertilize. Otherwise, they are prone to leggy growth and yellowing leaves.

4. Once the leaves have grown larger and sturdier, you can fertilize. Crush chicken manure fertilizer or other organic fertilizer, soak it in water, and apply light fertilizer frequently.

5. Since sowing is relatively dense, you can thin out seedlings and eat them, leaving more space so the remaining seedlings grow better.

6. Shanghai bok choy is suitable for transplanting. If you have extra flower pots or extra space at home, you can plant the thinned seedlings with roots, water them a little, and they will survive easily; moreover, with sufficient fertilizer, they can grow into very large heads.

7. As long as you fertilize more, water and give sun, and provide ventilation, Shanghai bok choy is very easy to grow, and it can be sown mixed with other vegetables. This saves even more space.

Appendix: Method for stir-frying Shanghai bok choy:

1. Wash the Shanghai bok choy and drain the water for later use.

2. Put an appropriate amount of water in a pot and bring to a boil, add a few drops of oil and an appropriate amount of salt, and blanch the washed Shanghai bok choy in the boiling water.

3. Remove and cool in cold water, drain the water, heat oil in a wok, and saute garlic until fragrant.

4. Add the Shanghai bok choy and stir-fry quickly, add an appropriate amount of salt and soy sauce to season, and it is ready.