How to Grow Pak Choi in Pots

Planting Pak Choi

• 1

  Select a 20-inch-deep pot. The width depends on how many pak choi you want to grow in each pot. Grow one pak choi in a 6-inch diameter pot or four pak choi plants in a 24-inch wide container. An 8- to 12-inch-long planter also works. Make sure the pot contains drainage holes in the bottom.

• 2

  Purchase a commercial potting soil or make your own. A mixture of one part peat moss, one part vermiculite and one part potting soil or potting compost works well for pak choi. Place the soil elements in a bucket and blend them thoroughly.

• 3

  Mix the potting soil with water until it feels light and crumbly. Fill the pot up to 1 inch below the top. Smooth it out with your hand.

• 4

  Scoop out holes in the pot 6 inches apart. Make the holes 1-inch wider than the root balls of the pak choi seedlings.

• 5

  Slide a butter knife under the roots of the pak choi and gently lift the plant free. Handle the seedlings carefully to avoid breaking the delicate stems.

• 6

  Place one pak choi plant in each hole and push the soil back around the roots. Smooth out the soil in the pot.

• 7

  Soak each pot with water until it starts to drain out of the holes in the bottom.

Growing Pak Choi

• 8

  Place the pot in a spot that gets full sun. Pak choi requires a minimum of six hours of sun; but more sun is preferable.

• 9

  Check the soil before you water. Stick your index finger into the top 1 inch of soil and pull it out. If soil grains stick to your finger, hold off on watering. Water when the soil does not stick to your finger.

• 10

  Fertilize pak choi right after planting and again four to six weeks later. Use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer, such as a 14-14-14 or a 20-20-20 ratio fertilizer. Find the size of the pot you are using on the instructions, and add the amount of fertilizer specified for that size pot.

• 11

  Harvest pak choi when it is between 6 and 24 inches tall. Harvested at 6 inches, baby pak choi has the most delicate texture and taste. Cut each plant at the soil line using a sharp knife.