This online guide has been
created for you to successfully grow a variety of plants
that thrive in the tropics, using native non-GMO seeds and
plants to get growing with wise advice from fellow
backyard gardeners and farmers. You are welcome to add your
wisdom, share seed procurement, growing, harvest tips and
recipes. Just follow the format below to write about a
backyard vegetable, fruit, bush or tree that you like, or
would like to learn about, and send your article to proorganicbelize@gmail.com.
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Welcome to
Pro-Organic Belize
Tropical Garden Grow Guide
Where you are the student and the teacher.
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![bok choy](bokchoy.png)
Photo Credit: Mary Loan
Botanic name:
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Brassica rapa
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Cultivar group:
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Chinensis
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Plant type:
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A green leafy member of the crucifer
family
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Sun exposure:
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Partial sun (at least 3-5 hours per
day), up to full sun
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pH
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Bok choy is considered to be “pH
neutral”, or around 7.0 pH
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Soil preference:
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Loamy, nitrogen rich fertile soil,
bok choy thrives in compost and mulch and does best
planted in a location with good drainage.
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Description
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A plant that grows above ground with
broad green leaves. Many plants are harvested before
they reach full maturity of over 15 inches as they
young plants are sweeter and milder tasting.
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April 2024 Plant of the Month
Bok Choy
By Mary Loan
Bok choy, also known as pak choy
or pok choi is a type of Chinese cabbage; unlike
most cabbage varieties it does not form heads but grows
in green broad-leafed bunches from bulbous white
bases. It is believed to have originated in
ancient China as early as the 5th century AD and has
grown to be cultivated in many countries world
wide.
How to grow: Seeds may be started
in planting trays or directly in the garden.
Each plant requires 7” in each direction to grow.
If started in planting trays, plant 2-3 seeds in each
cell, then, when the seeds sprout, pinch off all but the
strongest seedling. Transplant when the seedling is at
least 2” high. If planting in the soil sow the
seeds and cover with ¼ to ½ inch of soil. A little
worm castings compost may be added to the planting soil
in the seed trays or in the garden. Gently spray
with water to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
If you just love bok choy, start a crop of new seedlings
by planting every two to three weeks. Bok choy is
less likely to bolt if planted in the cooler months in
Belize: November, December, January and February.
Farming experts at Central Farm claim that bok choy will
grow year-round in Belize. Maybe planting in a shadier
location during the hottest months of March, April and
June will help plants to thrive. A light application of
organic fertilizer will help plants stay healthy.
If the plants bolt be sure to dry and save the seeds to
plant a new crop
How to harvest: In about
one month individual leaves can be harvested from the
outside of the plant. It generally takes 45 days
until the plant is ready to harvest. To harvest
cut the plant from the bottom leaving the base in the
earth; if you water the stump it will sprout a few new
leaves for another harvest.
Disease and insect control:
Unfortunately bok choy is susceptible to flea beetles,
aphids, slugs and snails. Some on-line gardening
advice articles claim that a biopesticide, spinosad,
helps to halt damaging insects from enjoying your plants
before you do.
Health benefits: Bok choy is a
nutritional power house; besides being crunchy and
delicious and full of fiber, the plants are rich in
vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. The plants
are also a good source of Omega 3 and folate.
Recipes: Bok choy can be
enjoyed raw in salads, smoothies and sandwiches, cooked
as a stir fry ingredient, added to soup, or simply
steamed. The leaves and diced up stems cook in two
to three minutes or less.
Bok Choy Salad:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound bok choy washed and finely
sliced
- 1 carrot grated
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 small handful of raisins
(optional)
- juice of one orange and a few
gratings of orange peel
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- about ¼ cup sliced almonds or
sunflower seeds for garnish
Directions:
Place all the cut-up veggies in a large bowl, Mix all
the remaining ingredients in a
bowl or jar. Gently blend into the veggie mixture
and serve.
Bok Choy Stir Fry:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped bok choy leaves and
stems
- 1 clove garlic (2 if you really like
garlic)
- 1 knob fresh ginger finely grated
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions:
Heat the coconut oil, swirl it around the pan then add
all the other ingredients and
cook over a medium high heat for two to three minutes
until the bok choy is tender and serve.
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