How to grow Shanghai bok choy? A step-by-step guide to the planting method

Shanghai bok choy is a type of baby bok choy. It provides the human body with vitamins and the minerals it needs, and eating it regularly is highly beneficial for blood vessels, skin and eyes, while it can also effectively suppress ulcers. Shanghai bok choy on the market today is also deeply loved by everyone, so today let us learn together about the planting method for Shanghai bok choy.

1. Select good seed

There are now a great many varieties of Shanghai bok choy, so when planting we generally choose a suitable variety according to the planting season, the planting region and so on. In summer we usually choose varieties with strong disease resistance, high temperature tolerance and drought tolerance, while in autumn and spring we can simply choose relatively normal varieties with higher yields. Only in this way can we guarantee the yield and quality of Shanghai bok choy under the most basic conditions.

2. Land preparation and fertilisation

Shanghai bok choy has no requirements for the choice of planting site, but it is best to plant in a place with sufficient water and convenient drainage and irrigation. At the same time, the soil should not be too heavy in clay, otherwise it will trigger various diseases. The soil should be relatively fertile and transport should be convenient. When preparing the land, plough deeply, spread sufficient farmyard manure or livestock dung and mix it evenly, then make beds about 1.5 to 2 m wide, and finally dig the drainage ditches to make later field operations easier.

3. Scientific sowing

Shanghai bok choy can basically be planted all year round. The planting method is generally broadcast sowing or drilling. First we need to water the soil thoroughly, then evenly scatter the seeds over the soil, or open furrows at a spacing of 30 cm per row, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows and cover them with soil. When the temperature is not very high, a layer of straw or plastic film can be placed on top to retain moisture and warmth.

4. Field management

Before Shanghai bok choy emerges, it basically needs watering twice a day; after emergence it only needs watering once. When it grows three to four leaves, thinning is needed to ensure a reasonable density. Throughout the growth of Shanghai bok choy, fertilisation is needed several times, mainly with compound fertiliser, urea and phosphate fertiliser, applied in appropriate amounts according to the growth of the Shanghai bok choy. When the leaves of the Shanghai bok choy turn yellow, fertiliser should be applied promptly, otherwise the plants will die.

5. Pest and disease control

The main pests and diseases of Shanghai bok choy are leaf blight, downy mildew, aphids and cabbage caterpillars. The peak period for leaf blight and downy mildew is generally in summer when it is hot and rainy. First we need to strengthen field management, and secondly we can use chemical agents for control; generally Bordeaux mixture or carbendazim can be used. Aphids and cabbage caterpillars are present at every stage of Shanghai bok choy growth and mainly damage the leaves. We can use trichlorfon or dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate for spraying and killing.

6. Timely harvest

Shanghai bok choy should not be allowed to grow too large, otherwise the taste turns bitter and people lose their appetite, so it is generally harvested promptly when it has grown to ten to fifteen leaves. Secondly, Shanghai bok choy can be harvested in batches: each time the large ones are harvested and the small ones are left, so that they can continue to be harvested next time, increasing economic returns and making full use of the land resource.