how to grow bok choy indoors

Can you grow bok choy inside?

Bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) is a variety of Chinese cabbage. It grows in all U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones, although planting in spring or late summer is recommended for warmer areas. ... To gain more control over your bok choy's environment, you can grow it indoors in containers.

How long does it take to grow bok choy?

Harvesting. Depending on the variety and the weather, bok choy should be ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days after seed germination. Slice the plants off about 1 inch above the ground and they should re-sprout for you.

How do you grow bok choy at home?

Use a quality seed starting soil mix into which bok choy seeds can be sowed to a depth of ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.). Then hold off transplanting bok choy into the garden until all danger of cold weather has passed. Space plants 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm.) apart and mulch to keep soil cool and moist.

How often do you water bok choy?

Too much or too little water can also cause bok choy bolting. Your soil should drain well and your plants should receive about one inch of water per week and the soil remains damp between watering.

What can you not plant next to bok choy?

Bok choy is vulnerable to cabbageworms, maggots, flea beetles and aphids. Select herbs and/or vegetables to plant near bok choy that send these pests scurrying the other way. Choose companions based on what pest you need to get rid of. Plant celery or thyme near bok choy to repel cabbageworms.

Does bok choy like coffee grounds?

Since it tends to be acidic, coffee grounds also make a good fertilizer for potatoes. ... Basil, bok choy, lettuce, Chinese cabbage — those little starts especially vulnerable to slugs and snails — could be protected with a band of coffee grounds around each start.

Is bok choy cut and come again?

Bok Choy. It's satisfying to slice off an entire head of these vase-like greens, but if you can resist, bok choy makes for a great cut-and-come-again option. Harvest the whole head within its first year of growth—as with chicory, you may still get a second head if you leave even a few leaves on the stem.

What does bok choy look like when ready to harvest?

When harvested in baby form, bok choy is often referred to as “baby bok choy,” but it's the same plant, although there are smaller cultivars that some growers might also call "baby bok choy." Mature bok choy features white stems with green leaves, while baby bok choy is lighter green in color, reports the Kitchn.

Should you cut the flowers off bok choy?

The bok choy's edible flowers taste best right before they open. If your bok choy crop is starting to produce elongated stalks and flowers from the center of each plant, pluck off the flower stalks and add them to salads. ... Otherwise, harvest the best tender leaves and flower stalks before discarding the plants.

What climate does bok choy grow in?

Bok choy is a biennial plant that is usually grown as an annual. It thrives in the cool season in locations with temperatures between 55 and 70°F. It doesn't mind the odd light frost and can withstand slightly higher temperatures, so long as the soil is kept sufficiently moist.

How do you grow store bought bok choy?

Instructions:

All you need to do is cut off the bok choy leaves at the base, leaving around 2 - 3 inches of base.
Fill a container with around 1 inch of water and simply stand the base of the bok choy in the container. ...
If the water starts to go cloudy, change it for fresh water. ...
Watch it grow!

What is eating my bok choy?

Here are the most prevalent bok choy pests: Cabbage maggots. Flea beetles. Tarnished plant bugs.

Can you eat bok choy with yellow leaves?

The sign of it not being fresh and moisture in leaves have started to deplete. Still safe to eat but no longer crisp. Just buy a fresh one, don't risk salmonella. Turns a bit bitter when yellow anyway.

Why is my bok choy bitter?

Probably not a ton, bok choy can have that same bitterness spinach has. Since it is the stems, maybe cook them in something thats going to dilute it out, like soup? Adult bok choy is used in soups. This is R/cooking.

Is bok choy good for you?

Along with being crunchy and delicious, bok choy is full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that make it a beneficial addition to your diet. Like other dark, leafy greens, it's full of antioxidants and other compounds that help to promote better health.

What is a good companion plant for bok choy?

Bokchoy may experience improved growth and health if you plant it near one or more of the followingvegetables or herbs: beets, bush beans, carrots, chamomile, chard, cucumbers, dill, kale, lettuce,mint, nasturtiums, potatoes, sage and spinach.

Do I need to thin bok choy?

If direct seeding in the garden, plant bok choy seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart. Rows need to be at least 18 inches apart. As plants start to grow, you'll want to thin them to their 6 to 10-inch spacing. Keep the thinnings to use fresh in early spring salads.

Does bok choy need fertilizer?

Bok choy is a heavy feeder. It needs rich soil with plenty of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Be sure to add plenty of compost and some organic fertilizer to the soil at planting time. It grows best in full sun, but can tolerate some shade.

Will coffee grounds kill ants?

When you're plagued by ants, it feels natural to reach for the insect spray. Ants are repulsed by the strong smell the brewed coffee grounds put out. ... Spritz brewed grounds that are outside with water to keep them fresh and replace brewed coffee grounds in the house every day.

Are tea bags good for plants?

This is also good for houseplants, so add old tea leaves to their water. When potting plants, place a few used tea bags on top of the drainage layer at the bottom of the planter before adding soil. The tea bags will help to retain water and will also leach some nutrients into the potting medium.

Are eggshells good for plants?

The calcium from eggshells is also welcome in garden soil, where it moderates soil acidity while providing nutrients for plants. Eggshells contain such an abundance of calcium that they can be used almost like lime, though you would need a lot of eggshells to make a measurable impact.