Chinese leaves - why are there hairs?

BigDonut

Hi,

I thought I would try some different crops this year.
I planted some chinese leaves and some pak choi.
Both have been growing ok but the chinese leaves feel like they have some small spiky bits on them. On close inspection it look like there are a lot of small hairs on them.

Have I got some duff seeds or have I done something wrong with them?

serena

I think the baby leaves on chinese leaves (chinese cabbage?) are often hairy, but the older leaves are smooth.

They grow fast, but as it gets warmer, they may shoot up to flower very quickly.

You can sow them in July as well, and they grow really well then, making them an ideal follow on crop for early broad beans, or lettuce that is cleared by the end of June.

I grow quite a few of the oriental leaves every year - if you're interested get hold of Joy Larkcom's book Oriental Vegetables. Personal favourites are Komatsuna, mizuna, mibuna and texel greens, as well as the oriental radish, which get huge!

I would recommend covering with fleece, as the little black flea beetle loves them, and also protect well from slugs and snails.

BigDonut

Thanks. Good to know I've not done anything wrong.
I'll aim to sow some more in july.

I'm growing in containers on a balcony in a top floor flat so hopefully won't have any beetles but thanks for the advice. I've got a big lot of it from covering potatos so will use that.