Organic Chinese Cabbage 'Ching Chiang Shanghai Pak Choi'
Organic 'Ching Chiang Shanghai Pak Choi' Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) from Gaia seed company, an early and very adaptable heritage pak choi
The 'Ching Chiang Shanghai' pak choi forms compact, open plants with tender, smooth, medium-green leaves borne on pale green, spoon-shaped stems . The foliage is supple, juicy, and delicate, offering a mild and balanced flavor , ideal for both young crops and slightly more mature plants. Its harmonious and regular shape makes it an easy variety to incorporate into intensive or successive plantings.
An early-maturing heirloom variety, this pak choi has been selected for its high tolerance to harsh conditions , including heat , rain , cold , and humidity . It remains stable where other varieties quickly bolt (go to seed). Ideally harvested when it reaches about 15 cm , it offers a tender texture and excellent cooking qualities, with a flavor further enhanced by autumn harvests after a few cool nights.
Companion plants: Beans, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrot, Cucumber, Marjoram, Peas, Strawberries
Spread/carry: Open, compact
Plant height: Approximately 15 cm at maturity
Quantity per packet: Approximately 180 seeds
Certification: Environmentally friendly product
Special features: Heritage variety, very early maturing, tolerant to climatic stresses, mild flavor, ideal for successive harvests
Leaf color: Medium green
Texture/flavor: Tender, juicy leaves, mild taste
Cold tolerance: Down to -7°C
Farming method
Sow directly outdoors from early spring to mid-summer , at a depth of 0.6 to 1.2 cm , initially spacing the seeds about 2.5 cm apart. Germination occurs quickly, in 4 to 7 days , when the temperature is between 15 and 21°C . Maintain regular watering , then thin to about 15 cm apart to allow for good plant development in cool, rich, and well-drained soil .
Pak choi prefers full sun (level 3) and moderate watering (level 2) . Rapid and regular growth limits bolting and promotes tenderness.
Harvesting and preservation
Begin harvesting when the plants reach about 7 to 8 cm , picking a few young leaves at a time, or harvest the entire plant for a single cut when it reaches 15 cm . Harvesting generally takes place 40 to 50 days after sowing . The flavor is particularly pleasant when harvested in the fall, after a few cool nights. The leaves will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.
Usage ideas
• Young leaves in salads
• Sautéed or braised vegetables
• Asian soups and dishes
• Rapid harvest in successive cropping
• Intensive vegetable garden or small spaces
The 'Ching Chiang Shanghai' pak choi is distinguished by its earliness , climate resilience , and consistent mildness , offering a reliable and versatile variety for abundant harvests from spring to autumn. A sure-fire heirloom for active and well-managed vegetable gardens.
