Chinese Cabbage”Beka Santoh” Asian Vegetable, Caribbeangardenseed

Asian Greens “Beka Santoh” Harvest at any stage as microgreens to full maturity.

Loose Head Type (Brassica rapa var pekinensis) Sow seeds in Spring,late summer/early fall
Also known as:
celery cabbage, Chinese leaves, loose head Chinese cabbage, nappa cabbage

Other names for this Asian vegetable...

• China:  siew choy, won bok, wong bok, wong nga pak, bai cai, da bai cai, huan ya bai, huang ya cai, jie jin bai chai, pe tsai, ta paak tsai
• Indonesia:  sawi
• Japan:  hakusai, nappa
• Korea:  baechu
• Malaysia:  kobis cina, kubis cina, kubis panjang, sawi pahit
• Philippines:  baguio, petsay tsina
• Sri Lanka:  kala gowa
• Thailand:  pak gahd kow, phakkaat khaao plee
• Vietnam:  cai bac thao, cai dai

This vigorous loose head variety is grown throughout Japan. The leaves are light green, frilled and slightly serrated. The petioles are white. Fast growing.
Whether it’s encountered in a Chinese stir-fry, pickled in Korean Kimchee or used in Japanese soups or sukiyaki. Chinese cabbage plays a principal role in Asian cuisine. Its mild delicate flavor makes it a welcome addition to a salad or sandwich, but it also makes the cabbage vulnerable to overcooking. In Asia, the vegetable is an important source of nutrition in winter. It is typically pickled in Japan and Korea and dried in China to be included in soups during the cold season. The varieties below represent the three main types of Chinese cabbage: barrel-shaped, cylindrical, also called Michihili, and loose-leaf.

Comment
Try ‘Beka Santoh,’ a loose head type of Chinese cabbage that recommends for its favored use in Japanese home cooking. It grows quickly, and the outside leaves can be harvested in about a month. Wait a little longer and full heads will form. When the plant bolts (sends up a flowering stalk), this cabbage remains very sweet and tender, unlike many varieties that become bitter at this stage. The yellow flowers are tasty, but Maya prefers eating the florets or flower buds.
Cultivation: Chinese cabbage prefers cool temperatures for its main growing season. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. In temperate areas sow seeds in spring/summer after last frost or late summer/early fall. Plant year round in tropical areas. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Exposure to frost or prolonged temperatures below 50°F may result in bolting. Harvest at any stage.
Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”
Soil Temp. Germ. 50-85˚F
Days to Germ. 5-10
Plant Spacing 10-12”
Row Spacing 18-30˚F
Days To Maturity 30-45
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
Germination: 90%
Vegetable Seed Saving:
Allow seed heads to dry on plants; then remove heads, break them open, and collect seeds. Clean and dry the seeds before storage in cool dry conditions.
Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”
Soil Temp. Germ. 50-85˚F
Days to Germ. 5-10
Plant Spacing 10-12”
Row Spacing 18-30˚F
Days To Maturity 30-45
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained