A Detailed Guide On How To Grow Bok Choy From Stem

This is a detailed guide on how to grow bok choy from the stem and the right conditions to provide this plant to get a good harvest.

Bok choy is a fast-growing vegetable that grows well in most climates. It has a sweet flavor and is easy to cook. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber.  Bok choy is easy to grow from seed but can also grow from the stem.

How To Grow Bok Choy From Stem Or Stalk

An actual fact is that the stem of bok choy can be grown in pots or on the ground. Take a look at this step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose a healthy bok choy that you will cut the stem from.

Get one that has no history of any disease or pest infection.

Step 2: Prepare the stalk or stem. 

Cut off the base of the bok choy; like you would slice the base of a bunch of celery. Remove the leaves from the bottom (or middle) of the stalk and cut out the bottom of the stem. The stem is ready to plant.

Step 3: Soak the cut bok choy in water. 

Place it in a bowl or saucer of warm water.  Ensure the cut side is facing up. Set the saucer or bowl on a windowsill or another sunny location.

Step 4:  Change the water. 

Ensure that you change the water every day or two. It’s also an excellent idea to occasionally mist the center of the plant to keep it well-watered.

Step 5:  Look after the bok choy for about a week. 

During this time, you should notice gradual changes within a couple of days.  With time, the outside of the bok choy will turn yellow and deteriorate. Eventually, the center starts to grow new buds, gradually turning from a pale green color to darker green.

Step 6:  Transfer time!

Transfer this budding bok choy to a pot filled with potting mix after the center shows new leafy growth or in seven to ten days.

Step 7:  Plant your bok choy.

Plant the bok choy in the new pot, so it’s almost completely buried.  Leave only the tips of the new green leaves pointing up. Any pot will work for you as long as it has good drainage holes.

Step 8:  Water the bok choy well after planting.

Afterwards, aim to keep the potting soil moist but not drenched.

Step 9:  Allow your bok choy time to grow.

Your new bok choy plant should be large enough to harvest in about two to three months, or maybe a little longer. At this point, you can choose to use the entire plant or carefully remove the outer part, so the inner plant keeps growing. And that’s how to grow bok choy from stem.

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Care Provided When Growing Bok Choy From Stem – Tips

Now that we have a detailed guide on how to grow bok choy from stem, it’s essential to also learn the care to give this plant.

This is very important since bok choy is not a very easy plant to grow from stem, and you don’t want it to suffer because of your mistake.

Here are some tips on how to care for bok choy when grown from stem.

Tip #1: Watering

It’s best to water your plants every 2-3 days during the summer. Use a drip irrigation system if you are not able to water by hand. Make sure you water your plants after the sun goes down or before the sun comes up.

Tip #2: Light

Your bok choy should receive indirect sunlight during the day. This means that it should be placed in an area where it receives natural light.

Tip #3: Temperature

If you grow bok choy from stem outdoors, make sure it doesn’t get too hot or cold. The plant should be kept in a temperature range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip #4: Soil

The soil should be well-drained. Also, add some fertilizer to the soil to help your plant grow better.

Tip #5: Feeding

Bok choy does not need much fertilizer. Just feed your plant with a foliar spray once every month or so. This is usually done when the plant starts to show signs of bolting.

Tip #6: Pests

It’s best to avoid getting your bok choy infested with pests. The best way to prevent pests from bothering your bok choy is by growing it in a completely pest-free environment.

Tip #7: Harvesting

Once your bok choy reaches a mature size, you can harvest the plant. Just cut it off at the base of the plant. Don’t worry if you cut off the whole stem, because there are usually two leaves at the base of the plant.  After harvesting, make sure you place your bok choy in a plastic bag and keep it in a cold place (like the refrigerator). This is very important so that the stem will remain fresh.

In Conclusion

This guide will help you learn how to grow bok choy from stem and still get a good harvest. Growing bok choy from scraps is not an easy process and requires patience that every gardener must exercise.

This method helps you grow new bok choy to enjoy when they go out of season or when the weather changes.

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Frequently Asked Questions