Brassica rapa parachinensis
Brassica rapa parachinensis
Safety & Hazards
The oil contained in the seed of some varieties of this species can be rich in erucic acid which is toxic. However, modern cultivars have been selected which are almost free of erucic acid.
Cultivation Details
Rosette pak choi has been developed in cultivation in the temperate zone of China. It can be grown as an annual from the temperate zone to the tropics and can also be grown in the cold season in the temperate zone, where it can tolerate temperatures down to around -10°c and can even be harvested from under the snow[1]. The plants are less likely to stand up to prolonged winter wet[1]. The prostrate forms are hardier than semi-prostrate forms[1]. Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[2]. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 7[2]. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil[3]. The plant is shallow rooted and intolerant of drought, it responds well to a moist fertile soil but succeeds in poorer soils than standard Pak choi[1]. There are several named varieties[1]. It is slower-growing than standard Pak choi, Brassica rapa chinensis[1].
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ mid summer. Spring sown crops are prone to run quickly to seed if there is a spell of cold weather[1]. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in autumn or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Brassica+rapa+parachinensis>
Pollinators
Bees, Self
References
- [1]Oriental Vegetables — Larkcom J. · John Murray · 1991 · ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 ↩︎Well written and very informative.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Salads all the Year Round. — Larkcom. J. · Hamlyn · 1980 ↩︎A good and comprehensive guide to temperate salad plants, with full organic details of cultivation.