Growing Pak Choy, also Pak choi

Brassica campestris var. pekinensis : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S S            
        T T T T        
        P P P          

(Best months for growing Pak Choy in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 70°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 16 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, coriander), lettuce, potatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
10 Jun 11, Alexis (Australia - temperate climate)
Coffee grounds are a good snail/slug deterrent, as are eggshells. (Are coffee grounds chemical free?) You need something else for the 'pillars, though. White oil? Ducks? Eternal vigilance?
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07 Apr 11, -Linda (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
after about 3 weeks, my Boc Choi leaves started getting little holes appearing. Today ( day 3 of holes) I got down close and found a very plump green catapillar...
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09 Apr 11, Alison Sizer (Australia - temperate climate)
I have used a chilli spray to some effect. boil up some red chilli flakes or fresh if you have some spare! Cool and dilute strained spicy liquid into a spray bottle. No good for mexican bugs:)
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29 Oct 10, Pam Hall (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Planted Pak Choi 4weeks ago didn't realise it was a cool weather plant its now tall yellow flowers only a few leaves what can I do?
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09 Feb 13, Kat (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I suggest letting it going to seed, harvesting the seeds and trying growing it again when its cooler.
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02 Dec 10, Tracey (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Pam, Pak Choi/Bok Choy are best planted after midsummer, when day length is decreasing, as increasing day-length will signal it to flower. Once it has started to flower you can't stop it (but you can still eat it!). Sow some more seeds at the end of the summer and through the autumn and you should be fine.
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01 Jul 10, anthony (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would like to know in datail of Pak choi. I need the information for reference my thesis. Please suggest to me. website? or something Please................... [email protected]
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17 Jun 10, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine is eaten very badly, half of some leaves are eaten away and the small plants have not got a chance to grow at all.
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15 Jun 10, Diana Adelaide (Australia - temperate climate)
In between pak choys , I plant coriander to confuse or deter those white flies or white butterflies. Pak choi grow very fast and shaded coriander which love it.
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10 Jun 10, Bill44 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
White fly and white butterfly's in general can be discouraged by growing sage throughout your garden, even better is marigolds but they tend to self seed and go everywhere. We started growing sage mixed in with everything else on the advice of the local nursery after losing a whole basil bush overnight to small white fly grubs.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 62 comments
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I also live in Ballarat and gave grown bok choy almost year round. It produced well until about May last year, and I've been looking for some more for the garden since the beginning of spring but haven't seen much around locally. It does tend to bolt quickly during late summer but I find if I pick the leaves regularly it slows down a bit. Does tend to be very thirsty, too.

- Dave S

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