How to Grow Bok Choy from Seeds and Stems in a Styrofoam Box for High Yield

Bok choy, also known as cải chíp, is a leafy green vegetable with a plump stem and soft leaves. It has a fresh, mild flavor, is rich in nutrients, and is easy to grow. This vegetable is suitable for home gardening, especially in styrofoam boxes, as it saves space and provides fresh greens year-round. If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to grow bok choy, follow this detailed guide from Kamereo!

How to Grow Bok Choy from Seeds

Growing bok choy from seeds in a styrofoam box is a popular method, suitable for those who want to plant many trees at once. The seeds germinate easily, and the plants grow quickly. You just need to prepare the necessary tools and follow these steps:

Prepare the Tools

To sow bok choy seeds successfully and achieve a high yield, you need to prepare:

Bok choy seeds: Choose seeds from reputable agricultural stores to ensure quality and a high germination rate.
Styrofoam box: Select a box with a minimum size of 40x60x15cm to give the roots enough room to grow. Don’t forget to punch holes in the bottom of the box to prevent waterlogging.
Soil: Bok choy can be grown in various soil types, from sandy to loamy soil. You can choose Tribat clean organic soil, which is very suitable for home vegetable gardens.
Fertilizer
Paper towels

*Tools needed to sow bok choy seeds in a styrofoam box*

Soak and Incubate the Seeds

Prepare warm water by mixing 2 parts boiling water with 3 parts cold water. Soak the bok choy seeds for 5-6 hours to stimulate germination.
After soaking, rinse the seeds, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and place them in a cool, airy place for about 24 hours.
Take the seeds out and rinse off the slimy layer on the shell to prevent mold or disease.
Rewrap the seeds in a damp towel for another 1-2 days. Once the seeds have sprouted evenly, they are ready to be sowed.

*Soak and incubate bok choy seeds to stimulate germination*

Sow the Bok Choy Seeds

Once the seeds have sprouted, you can begin sowing. Follow these steps to ensure the seeds develop healthily:

Pour the prepared soil into the styrofoam box, leaving a 2cm gap from the top. Use your hands to level the surface.
Sprinkle the seeds evenly or sow them in rows about 20cm apart, with a distance of about 15cm between each seed to give the plants room to grow.
Cover with a thin layer of soil, about 2cm thick, to protect the seeds and retain moisture.
Use a spray bottle to water gently. Place the box in a cool, airy place, away from harsh sunlight and heavy rain, to prevent the seeds from being washed away.

*Sowing bok choy seeds correctly helps plants grow evenly*

How to Grow Bok Choy from Stems

Growing bok choy from stems is an optimal choice to utilize vegetables you’ve already bought. This method is cost-effective and allows for multiple harvests:

Preparation

In addition to following the technical steps, preparation plays a crucial role in the survival of the plant when regrowing from a stem:

Bok choy stems: About 2-3cm long.
Glass jar or bowl: A size just big enough to hold the stem upright for soaking.
Styrofoam box or pot: Choose one with good drainage holes, and the size depends on the number of stems you want to plant.
Soil: Use nutrient-rich, loose soil, mixed with decomposed organic fertilizer and carbonized rice husk to create good aeration.

Soaking bok choy stems in warm water

Place the bok choy stem in a bowl of warm water, with the water level covering about two-thirds of the stem’s height.
Change the water daily to keep it clean. Place the bowl in a well-lit but not directly sunny area to prevent the stem from drying out.
After about 5-7 days, you will see white roots and new leaves starting to emerge—this is the right time to transfer the plant to soil.

Planting the Stem in Soil

Dig a small hole about 5cm deep in the styrofoam box, place the bok choy stem in it, and gently fill it with soil so the roots are completely covered.
Water regularly, maintaining moderate moisture to help the plant root well. Avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
Place the styrofoam box in a cool, well-lit place with natural light to help the plant photosynthesize and grow quickly.
After 1-2 weeks, the stem will develop into a new bunch of vegetables. You can then care for it as you would a plant grown from seed.

*Growing bok choy from a stem is an easy and economical method*

How to Care for Bok Choy

Bok choy is a cool-weather vegetable that needs proper care to be ready for harvest quickly. You should pay close attention to watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Specifically:

Watering

During the initial stages of sowing seeds or planting stems, you should water twice a day, in the early morning and late afternoon, to maintain stable soil moisture and help the plants root quickly. When the plants are sturdy and growing well, you can reduce watering to once a day or every other day, depending on the weather and soil moisture.

Note: You should use a spray bottle and water gently at the base to avoid bruising the leaves. Also, avoid watering at night to prevent a humid environment that can promote pest development.

*Proper watering helps bok choy plants grow well and prevents pests*

Fertilizing

Proper fertilization will help the vegetables grow evenly, with lush green leaves, and increase yield. About 7-10 days after the plants have rooted, you should perform the first top-dressing using decomposed organic fertilizers such as cow manure, goat manure, fish fertilizer, or worm castings.

Gardeners should continue to fertilize every 7-10 days to ensure the plants receive a sufficient supply of nutrients. At the same time, you should also gently mound the soil around the base of the plant each time you fertilize to help it stand firm and grow well.

*Regular organic fertilization helps bok choy grow lush and green*

Pest and Disease Control

To grow safe bok choy without affecting yield, you need to proactively prevent pests and diseases rather than just treating them when the plants are severely infected. Therefore, you should regularly weed and keep the growing area ventilated and clean. When you find pests, you should use biological products or safe herbal solutions instead of chemical pesticides to ensure consumer health.

*Preventing pests and diseases from the start helps ensure the yield and quality of the vegetables*

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to harvest bok choy?

Bok choy has a short growth period, usually about 30-35 days after sowing seeds or planting stems, you can already harvest. When cutting, use a sharp knife to cut close to the base to avoid damaging the rest of the plant. After harvesting, you can also immediately remove the old stem and roots to prepare for the next planting cycle.

When is the best time to grow bok choy?

Bok choy can be grown year-round in Vietnam’s climate. However, planting during the following two seasons can yield a high output:

Spring-Summer season: Sow seeds in March-April and harvest from May-June.
Autumn-Winter season: Sow seeds in September-October and harvest from November-December.

Conclusion

With these detailed instructions, you can easily apply the method of growing bok choy in a styrofoam box right at home to have clean and nutritious vegetables. Don’t forget to check out more useful articles in the Food and Lifestyle section of Kamereo to grow and care for many other delicious vegetables!

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