Chinese cabbage

Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis celery cabbage, Chinese celery, napa, pe-tsai
Other names
celery cabbage, Chinese celery, napa, pe-tsai
Botanical name
Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis
Plant category
Cabbage vegetables

General

Chinese cabbage
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Even though you might read otherwise now and then – Chinese cabbage is a bit of a diva to grow and better suited for more experienced gardeners. At the slightest thing it doesn't like, it bolts straight away.

Facts and figures

Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Heavy feeder
Difficulty level
Expert
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
B - late
Growing period
70 days
Row spacing
40 cm
Plant spacing
50 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
12 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
18 - 22 °C
Germination type
Light and dark
Pre-growing period
30 days

Times

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Direct sowing
Pre-grow
Transplant
Harvest

Direct sowing from Mid June to Early August. Transplant to bed from Mid July to Late August. Pre-grow about 30 days before planting out, approximately between Mid June and Late July. After a growing period of 70 days, harvest can begin around Late August and continues until Late October.

Sowing and planting

It prefers cooler conditions. Don't try growing Chinese cabbage too early in the year. It won't work. It'll bolt immediately.

Neighbourhood

Good neighbours
Bad neighbours

Crop rotation

Good predecessors
Bad predecessors
Very bad predecessors
Good successors
Bad successors
Very bad successors

Care and fertilising

The plants need a very good and consistent supply of nutrients and water, as they grow incredibly fast. Otherwise they'll bolt quickly, meaning they go to flower.

Diseases and pests

Chinese cabbage, just like pak choi, attracts flea beetles and aphids like a magnet. Both are susceptible to clubroot, Alternaria and Phoma. You're better off growing them under a protective net.

Harvest and processing

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