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Easy Wins in Vegetable Gardening: Pechay

Posted by Jewel Sebastian on


Plant Name: Pechay Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Other Names: bok choy, pak choi, Chinese white cabbage

Pechay, a common ingredient of soups, can also be enjoyed simply by stir-frying or as pechay guisado with some oyster sauce. This versatile vegetable is a good source of Potassium that aids in physical mobility, especially the optimal use of the muscles. Pechay also has traces of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, vitamin K, and magnesium which all contribute to keeping the skeletal system functioning well. It is also rich in Vitamin C that boosts the immune system, the defense of the body against harmful viruses and bacteria. These are just some of the health advantages that we can get from eating pechay. So, let's get planting to reap those benefits!

How to plant
The seeds can be sown either directly or transplanted. For direct planting, it is ideal to plant them in rows. Place the seeds 15cm away from the other, then cover with topsoil. Water them after seeding. For container gardening, germinate the seeds in a tray first, then transplant them when the fourth leaf appears. Use a large pot of around 8 inches in diameter. Water thoroughly after transplanting to avoid transplant shock. You may add fertilizer of choice, but if you opt for organic gardening, it is best to use organic compost to dress the soil one week after transplanting.

How to harvest
As early as 3-4weeks of easy labor, it's pechay harvest time! Now, this can be done in two ways. One is to just pluck out the whole pechay plant. That is ideal if you have planted many of them. Another way is to just get the older leaves per plant so the remaining will continue to grow and supply you with pechay leaves.

Bonus Care Tips
Pechay plants love moist soil so consider watering once or twice a day to prevent withering. Make sure that the medium is well-draining when your plants are in pots. They can thrive in shady areas, but to yield faster and healthier growth, it is ideal to place them in an area that receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. Pechay leaves are prone to pest attacks that can easily be managed using organic pesticides; or you can make your DIY pesticide using water, dishwashing soap, and canola oil.