Pechay Farming: How to Plant and Grow Chinese Cabbage

November 8, 2023 by Lauro Braganza

Have you ever tried to grow pechay even in your backyard garden? Pechay farming is very profitable whether it’s a backyard farm or large scale. Having a talent for planting is truly a blessing from God but the good news is planting can be learned. But how to properly plant and grow pechay? Is it difficult and delicate to plant? Let’s find out.

What is Pechay

Petsay or pechay is the so-called Chinese cabbage in English which means “Bok-choy”, with dark green leaves and broad white stems. It usually blooms yellow flowers. It is also called bok choy. Pechay has essential vitamins and minerals that help with healthy bones and glowing skin.

In addition, one cup of bok choy contains 13 calories and 2.5 grams of carbohydrates, it can be a substitute for rice for people who are losing weight or losing weight.

Pechay is also great for those with high blood pressure or hypertension. It also has vitamin A which clears our eyes.

Isn’t there a benefit to planting bok choy? Here are the following methods of pechay farming.

Pechay farming methods

Preparation of seed or seedling to be used. This is the first and most important thing to do. It is important to be able to choose the seed or seedling to use. The seedlings should be healthy and not hit by pests. There are also pechay seeds for sale in the markets.

Land preparation for planting or plotting. Plow and clean the soil, and remove the weeds that grow on it. It is also important that the soil for planting is moist or moist. Because when the soil is wet the seed clings more to the bottom, an important factor for its survival.

Plant the seed. When planting pechay seeds, remember that there should be enough space or distance for each seed to be planted. Its purpose is to prevent scramble or competition for the nutrients they can get from the soil.

Enough water and sunlight. Like other crops, bok choy needs enough water and sunlight. Adequate water contributes greatly to the existence of large and healthy stems of pechay. Adequate sunlight helps with the green color of pechay leaves.

Benefits of planting and eating pechay

The first few paragraphs of this article mentioned the nutritional value of pechay.

In today’s time when instant foods like noodles and so on are really popular and increasing, the onset of illness is also instant.

People who are health conscious or careful about their health choose what they eat. It is well known that green vegetables do bring good benefits to our health. And bok choy is probably among the green vegetables I’m referring to. That is why it is a favorite of health-conscious people.

In addition, you can also make a living by planting pechay.

Because of its charisma to the people, it has been tested in the market and people are coming back.

If you want to have a career such as planting pechay or you want to plant it in the yard of your house as food for your family, go back and learn the correct way of planting pechay listed in the first section. of this article.

Questions related to pechay farming in the Philippines

How long does it take to grow bok choy?

Pechay does not take long to grow and can be harvested any time from six weeks and onward. Sometimes you can even harvest it after four or five weeks, depending on the weather.

Is pechay farming profitable?

Partial cost and return analysis, direct seeding of Pechay at high planting density is the most profitable while transplanting Pechay seedlings at low-density planting is the least profitable. Pechay farming is profitable as a whole.

Is pechay in high demand in the Philippines?

Seedling management is very important in leafy vegetables with a short period of growth as it covers almost half of the production period. Pechay is considered a high-value and highly demanded leaf vegetable in the Philippines.

How to grow pechay in the Philippines?

Fill the polybag or any container with the soil media, scatter the seeds atop the seedbed, then lightly cover them with soil. Water the seeds every day. The seeds will start the sprout after a few days. The plants can be repotted in bigger containers after two weeks or 15 days.

Does pechay need full sun?

While these plants can grow in partial shade, they need to get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight in order to grow faster and healthier. During my first few trials, I placed the pots on my back patio. As a result, the plants would only get a maximum of 1 hour of direct sunlight

What climate does pechay grows best?

Pechay can be grown from mid to low elevations throughout the year but makes its best growth and good quality produced in cool conditions. However, during the dry season, it can be grown with good irrigation in a sandy clay loam type of soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5.

What is the best fertilizer for pechay?

The application of organic fertilizer in Pechay specifically, compost is recommended since it influences its growth and yield, especially on the leaf area and fresh weight.

Can pechay grow in water?

Cut off the base of the pechay, about one to two inches long. Put it in a shallow container or glass with water covering about one-third of the pechay base. Make sure to replace the water every other day. After a few days, you should see new leaves coming out from the center and roots growing at the bottom.