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Growing Tatsoi In Pots – A Full Planting Guide

Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Hello gardeners, we are back with a new topic called growing tatsoi in pots. Do you want to know how to grow tatsoi in pots? Well, and then you will need to follow this complete article to grow tatsoi in pots. In this article, we will also cover all the requirements for growing tatsoi in pots.

Introduction to Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Whenever I check a menu in a Chinese restaurant, tatsoi is one of those Asian greens that I would generally skip in favor of the more popular deep-fried Bok choy.  Also called spinach mustard, spoon mustard, or rosette bok-choy, tatsoi is very most popular in many Asian countries.  Between Filipinos, however, only a handful called what this leafy vegetable is. Except for the very long stalk and smaller leaves, it resembles our home-grown Pechay in appearance, but it has most of the delicate and individual flavor that urges you to stay growing more and more. 

A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Tatsoi in Pots/Containers

 Guide for Growing Tatsoi in Pots
Guide for Growing Tatsoi in Pots (Pic credit: pixabay)

Tatsoi, also called spinach mustard, is a delicious leafy green that you can very easily grow in pots or your garden. If you are beginning to gardening, tatsoi is great because it grows very fast and isn’t particularly fussy. These greens present cool weather, so plant your seeds in the spring for an early summer plant and again in the late summer to enjoy a fall harvest.

Early fall, with its frequent hazy mornings and cooling temperatures, signals a small change is in the air. Many of summer’s generalities are winding down and growth all over the garden is observable slower. But if you think it’s time to hang up the separate for winter, well think again because now’s the short time Asian greens such as bok choy, mustards, and mizuna come into their own.

What is Tatsoi?

Tatsoi is also known as Brassica rapa subsp. Narinosa is an Asian green that is home-grown to China. It is coupled to bok choy and napa cabbage. Tatsoi is a biennial in growing 4 – 7 areas. If planted in the fall, it will overwinter with protection and start again growth in the spring. The plants will devour flowers and set seeds as warm summer weather sets in.

Unlike bok choi and napa cabbage which grow in upright oval leads, tatsoi grows in a tear-down head that can be 8 to 10 inches tall and 12 inches large. The leaves are dark green and spoon-shaped, hence it’s spelled as Spoon Mustard. Leaves that are harvested when they are young and very small taste like spinach. Grown-up leaves have a pungent mustard flavor. You can utilize them any way that you use bok choi or napa cabbage. Tatsoi leaves are most often used raw in salads or cooked in soups and deep-fries.

Overview Table of Tatsoi Plant is Given Below

Botanical NameBrassica rapa subsp. narinosa
Common NameTatsoi, Tah Tsai, Spoon mustard, Spinach mustard, and Rosettebok Choy
Plant TypeBiennial
Mature size8 to 10 inches tall and 12 inches wide
Sun ExposurePartial sun to full sun
Soil TypeRich, well-drained
Soil pHNeutral (6.5 to 7.0)
Bloom TimeSeasonal
Flower colorYellow

Varieties for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

#1. Pak Choi

Bok choy, also generally known as Pak Choi is mainly separated into two categories white stemmed bok choi and green stemmed bok choy. It is also called a plant from the cabbage family and is also spelled as Chinese white cabbage. One great thing about bok choy is that the whole plant is forage from foliage to the bulb. Baby bok choy is also most popular it is an immature bok choy that is growing before its harvest time. Grown-up bok choy has dark green leaves and white stems as differed from the light green leaves of baby bok choy.  It can also be eaten raw in salads or as an ingredient in deep-fries, braises, soups, and stews.

#2 Gai Lan

Gai Lan is also normally known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale. You can sow the seeds in the fall, winter, or early spring season. It is mainly divided into two main varieties one which has white flowers and can grow about 16-19 inches tall and the other which has yellow flowers and 8 inches in height. Although the stems have a similar taste to that of broccoli, the leaves are somewhat sweeter, depending more on the growing. It is wealthy in vitamin A, C, and calcium.

#3 Choy Sum

Although this leafy vegetable appears the Chinese broccoli and it is also Gai Lan the taste is much sweeter and soft. It bears definite yellow flowers which are forage and will appear if you do not harvest them on time. Also called a Yau Choy this plant is distinguished by its thin white stems and dark green leaves. It has incredible taste irrespective of being deep-fried or steamed.

#4 Chinese mustard Green

It is also called Brown Mustard, Indian mustard, or Mustard cabbage. The leaves have an enormous mustard flavor and can be absorbed raw in salads or cooked. It is advised to collect the leaves first so that some of their bitterness is removed. Alternatively, make ready it with sugar and ginger will also help to restrain the bitter taste.

#5 Yin Choy

It’s a variety of Amaranth greens this powerful leafy vegetable is most popular in Africa and China and its other neighbouring regions of the Indian subcontinent, where it’s called Chaulai. The leaves somewhat appear spinach in appeal, but the taste is different. This very fast-growing green tatsoi can be harvested within 30 days of planting. It’s so very easy to grow that in some parts it’s observed a weed. You can enjoy them in deep-fries, soups, and curries. It can also be cooked with lentils.

#6 Chinese Celery

Chinese celery appears Western celery, but there are some different factors like the stems are thinner, and doesn’t like western celery, the leaves are most flavourful and edible. Mostly cooked in deep-fries, this celery is rich in fibres. As it is fibrous, the stems are strong, even the young shoots. Also, Chinese celery has a more strong and sweet taste, short in height, and very easier to grow than general celery. Add them to the salad for pleasant crunch and good flavour.

Suitable Soil for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Tatsoi presents best in sandy-loamy soil that drains well. To test soil drainage, shove a 12 by 12 in 30 by 30 cm hole, filled with water, and let it sit overnight. Refill the hole with water the next day and monitor how fastly it drains. Perfectly, you want soil that drains about 2 in 5.1 cm per hour.

Tatsoi does not grow well in acidic soil. Check through a pH testing kit at your local nursery and follow the directions to measure the pH. Anything lower than 5.5 is too acidic for the tatsoi plant.  Mix lime into your soil if it’s too acidic and test it again to ensure it falls in the right range.

If you are using store-bought potting soil, the pH mixture should be listed on the bag.

Sunlight Requirement for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Tatsoi likes a sunny location but also does very well in partial shade. Tatsoi grows best in partial sun, about 3–5 hours each day is perfect but it can handle full sun if it is kept very well watered.

Suitable Temperature for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Tatsoi thrives in USDA hardiness areas 4 through 7, which provide sufficient cool weather, but not too much heat. Seeds and starts prefer10-27°C, and grown-up plants thrive at 15-27°C. But you can grow tatsoi plants in areas almost these zones with extra protection. 

A little freeze is not a problem for tatsoi growing. It’s normal to sow seed almost the last frost. Harvests occur at lows of 15°C. Once heat exceeds 26°C, tatsoi bolts. Then the growing season is over, and you can accumulate tatsoi seeds. Alternatively, if conditions are too cold, leaves take on damage and sag. 

Procedure for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

In case if you miss this: How To Make Chicken Manure Compost For Garden Plants.

Tatsoi seedlings
Tatsoi seedlings (pic credit: pixabay)

Like Pechay, Tatsoi can be started from seeds.  It thrives best in soft climates with rich moist and well-drained soil. Here in the Philippines, tatsoi can be very easily grown all year, but the best time to grow this plant is during the cooler months from October to the early part of March. Start seeds throughout September in time for harvest in as early as 30 days.  

Tatsoi can also be grown in pots. select a medium-sized 2-gallon rectangular pot with about 8-10 inches in depth. Observe established spacing in between each plant. Tatsoi leaves can extend out more than a foot in diameter all the time. So a spacing of 10-12 inches in between plants is highly suggested.

Choose a spot that gets at least 4 hours of sunshine perfectly in the morning. Keep the soil or potting media always moist, but not allowing it to get too soggy.  If you see the leaves turning brown or yellow at the care, it could mean too much sunlight vulnerability. Simply provide some partial shade in the afternoon and consider watering more often. 

Tatsoi is a favorite of pests and they have used common pests include cabbage worms, slugs, leafmold, and caterpillars. The key to controlling pests is early detection. Frequently check the essence of the tatsoi plant if there are clear signs of pest infestation, like insect dung or larvae eggs. Spray a neem-based solution once a week to protect or eradicate pests, applying it normally on the top and bottom green leaves, as well as the stems. The plant can still be revived even if most of the leaves are damaged by pests. Cut the infected leaves, leaving throughout 2 inches at the bottom. It will grow back its full green leaves in about 2-3 weeks.    

Harvest tatsoi plant in about 4-5 weeks from the period you sow the seeds. You may opt to cut grown-up leaves and regrow the plant for another round of harvests in another 3 weeks. For me, I prefer cutting the base and harvesting the total plant. To make sure a regular provide, sow new seeds every two weeks and turn over each batch of new seedlings as you begin to harvest the earlier batches.

Water Requirements for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

These plants like a generous quantity of water, up to 1 inch per week. Keep soil moist, but not saturated. Watering tatsoi plants daily in the morning before ultraviolet rays are at their high. Watering at this time protects overheated soil temperature which damages cold-loving Asian greens. 

Since all brassicas are susceptible to mildew, use a soaker hose or drip drenching to water at the base of the plant for root absorption. Avoid wetting the green leaves if at all possible. Watering may not be required if heavy rains or blanketed snow occurred recently. 

Tips for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

A fast grower, the tatsoi plant is prepared to harvest in just 45 days. Because it likes cooler temperatures, it can also be planted in the fall for a second plant in many areas. Although tatsoi thrives in cool temperatures, growing tatsoi should be situated in full sun in moist well-draining soil. Prepare the planting site by digging down 6-12 inches 15-30 cm, to loosen any compacted soil. Absorb 2-4 inches 5-10 cm. of compost or dung before seeding or add a balanced organic fertilizer. Sow tatsoi seeds directly into the grounds two to three weeks before the last expected frost in the spring season. While tatsoi plants like cool weather, frosty spring conditions can cause the tatsoi plants to bolt. You may want to start seeds 5-6 weeks before the last frost and then transplant the young seedlings no earlier than three weeks before the last freeze. Thin the young tatsoi plants to at least 6 inches 15 cm apart when they are about 2-4 inches 5-10 cm tall and height. Water your tatsoi with 1 inch 2.5 cm of water per week. Laying a 2 to 3 inch 5-7.5 cm layer of hardwood mulch will aid in water-holding and regulate soil temperatures. Tatsoi can be harvested as early as three weeks from planting for baby greens or wait the full seven weeks to harvest the grown-up outer green leaves of the rosette. Leave the rest of the tatsoi plant to continue growing or cut tatsoi off at soil level to harvest the total rosette. Plant tatsoi seeds every three weeks for a never-ending plant. If you have a cold frame, you can continue to plant around mid-winter in some areas.

You may also like this: How To Grow Radish In Greenhouse.

Winter Care for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Plant tatsoi and other harsh greens in an unheated greenhouse in late fall. I typically tatsoi plant out displace in the nursery in mid-October in planting zone 6.

There are various advantages to growing in the fall and winter. There are fewer pests and diseases, which is good. Many weeds have completed their growing cycle and are passive for the winter. But the best reward is to start able to have a fresh green leaves crunchy salad when everything else is dormant.

Pruning Procedure in Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Remove destroyed or browning foliage from the rosette as they appear. Check daily to make sure damage to tatsoi is not related to fungal or insect pests. As tatsoi plants fasten in warm weather, remove any flowers and add them to a salad or eat them raw. Fasten are a sign the life cycle is completing. However, green leaves can still be harvested up until the season is over if tatsoi bolts. The mustard flavour of tatsoi leaves decreases into bitterness at the point of flowering. 

Fertilizer Requirement for Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Prepare soil ahead of the period before you plant tatsoi, 3-6 weeks before the last frost with nitrogen-rich addendums, like chicken manure dung, rabbit pellet compost, or coffee grounds. These supply a slow release of nutrition around the season. For successive applications, a reliable full spectrum fertilizer gives your tatsoi plants a boost. Look for stabilizing fertilizers that have a low NPK ratio. Fertilize tatsoi plants once per week at dark in a temperate period of the year with liquid fertilizers, or per manufacturer’s suggestion for granular slow-release fertilizer. 

Never fertilize plants in freezing temperatures or close to the last frost when they are in an overstretch state. In this same vein, do not fertilize an unwell plant. In these sensitive times, plants get burnt and destroyed by fertilizers. For liquid applications, an initial soil soak is suitable once the plant is established. In successive weeks, apply a lighter foliar spray. Space fertilization far sufficient apart to protect against malnourishment.

Common pests and diseases in Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Pests:

Search your garden routinely for pests like slugs, cabbage worms, and flea beetles the most common pests for tatsoi. supply row covers to keep them off the tatsoi rosette. If that’s not an option, here are some other ways to strive, and make the flavor of these greens last around the season. 

Add washed and ground eggshells to the moist soil surface for slug issues. This method can even be applied forwardly before planting seeds or begins. Slugs dislike the surface of eggshells. The commercial choice for slug treatments includes wool pellets and decoy. Search your ground and handpick slugs for removal. This is the most essential method of pest control for slugs. supply slugs with a trap plant of greens you don’t mind giving up. Plant these in rows throughout your tatsoi, or try a beer trap that kills them via alcohol poisoning. 

Cabbage worms are another most common tatsoi pest. These feed off leafy greens to reach the pupation stage and finally become moths, which do more of the same. Reduced worms by hand, or plant moth decoys in the garden. BT, Bacillus thuringiensis, is the most effective treatment. 

If you observe little round holes in the leaves of your tatsoi plant during your ground search, this is most likely flea beetle destroys. They are members of the leaf beetle family in the Altica species. They can destroy leafy greens. Not only do adult leaf beetles eat tatsoi, but they also propagate below ground. Baby beetles devise and consume roots to survive. 

Trap plants are not a choice, as infestations spread into other regions. Instead, apply organic pesticides. Treat moist soil with diatomaceous earth. Beauvaria bassianais a commercial fungal pesticide that when absorb liquefies its insides. Dilute before application, and do so at dark as the sunlight kills spores. Apply pyrethrins daily if things get out of the palm. 

Diseases:

Clubroot orPlasmodiophora brassicae is a fungal disease that development all brassicas in certain conditions. Plants infected with clubroot deform and crack. Essentially, they are unable to absorb nutrients at the root level. The only possible solution at later stages is to pull the total plant and treat the moist soil. Make sure the pH level of the moist soil is normal 6.5-7.0 for tatsoi before growing tatsoi. Avoid pH levels of 7.2 in your ground to protect the clubroot. Powdery mildew presents as rich white spots and occurs on tatsoi for numerous reasons. It accumulation from watering above your plants alternately at the base with a soaker hose or drip line. For the same reason, overcrowding aware of powdery mildew. Treat plants by reducing damaged parts, and thin over-crowders.

Poor drainage and over application of foliar fertilizers, aware of powdery mildew as very well. There are fungicidal treatments available. These come in spray form and do not require to be diluted. Many organic choices are safe for human consumption. Apply these up to one day before harvest. 

Downy Mildew although similar in name to powdery mildew is not a fungal pest, but a parasitic alga from the PeronosporaorPlasmopara genus. Leaves infected with downy mildew yellow and sag alternately turning white. Downy mildew manifests almost the base of a plant. Both mildew present in the same condition too much moisture in cooler resolute temperature. 

Check for power mildews when rains are heavy and the temperature is very cool. Copper fungicide applications treat outbreaks as long as they go along with proper garden hygiene. Even be that as it may downy mildew is not fungal the copper reduces algae.

Harvesting of Tatsoi Greens

When leaflets are at a 2-3 inch length, it’s prepared to be harvested. Snap off fronds from outer corners or cut them off with clean ground shears. Let inner leaves remain to prolong the life cycle of your tatsoi plants. That way you will have greens around the growing season. Cut total heads at the base and reduce them at the end of the season.

In heat, tatsoi bolts and flowers. Keep tatsoi from sheer into the bitter realm at this stage by snapping off flowering leads just below the growth point of the first set of green leaves. Again, all parts of the tatsoi plant are edible, so eat those flowering heads in a salad or sag as a side to your favourite protein.

Commonly Asked Questions about Growing Tatsoi in Pots

Can tatsoi grow in shade?

Leafy arugula grows best in the partial shade, as do many greens. Asian greens such as bok choi, mizuna, mustard, komatsuna, and tatsoi all grow very well with just a few hours of sunlight. Baby Swiss chard is wholesome in about five weeks from planting and does great in partially shady areas.

How do I grow tatsoi?

Sow tatsoi seeds in the spring season and again in the late summer season for harvest in autumn. Sow in twice rows, with rows spaced occupy10 inches 25 cm apart. Plant seeds 2 inches 5 cm apart and hardly cover them with moist soil. Normally thin to 8 inches 20 cm apart.

Is tatsoi a perennial?

A low-growing annual plant with very small, spoon-shaped leaves, tatsoi is also known as spoon mustard, spinach mustard, or rosette bok choy, of which it is a close relative. They have a mild mustard-like flavor.

Is tatsoi cut and come again?

Most common vegetables like kale, collards, chard, leaf lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and spinach grow as rosettes.  Some that are not as general include mustard greens, cress, mizuna, endive, chervil, arugula, and tatsoi. The achevive goal is to only harvest the oldest, outside leaves in the tatsoi rosette.

What flowers are cut and come again?

Early fumble like Sweet Peas and Iceland Poppies can be followed with a fast flowering different such as Sunflowers or Cress. There are three main categories I assign annual cutting different to cut and come again bloomers are true ground workhorses.

Can you freeze tatsoi?

When very small, baby bok choy can be prepared whole. If wide, halve lengthwise. Storing Asian greens can last up to 1 week if related in a damp napkin or put in a plastic bag in the moisten drawer of the fridge. Freezing these tender plants do not freeze very well.

What to put in the water to keep tatsoi fresh?

Make you are conservative to keep cut flowers fresh longer. Dilute 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar per quart liter of warm water. When you fill the vase, make sure the cut stems are balance by 3-4 inches 7-10 centimeters of the ready water.

Are banana peels good for plants?

Banana peels have the highest organic root of potassium. Potassium supports plants in moving nutrients and water among cells. Potassium stronger plants’ stems and also fights off disease.

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