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If you produce leafy greens in your vegetable garden but have n’t attempt growing komatsuna , you ’re missing out on a wonderful change of brassica .
Komatsuna , also known as Japanese leaf mustard , is totally underrated . It ’s a hardy and well-heeled - to - originate biennial , provides a good crop , is high in vitamins , and has more smoothing iron than spinach .
If you ’re tired of cabbage and detect leaf mustard greens too spicy , try growing komatsuna . We ’ll show you how to get a bountiful harvest .
Varieties of Komatsuna
Komatsuna , Brassica rapa var . perviridisorB.r . var . komatsuna , has been maturate in Japan since the eighteenth 100 and is now gaining popularity all around the world in home veggie gardens . Over the years , a lot of new varieties have been create for higher intensity harvest time .
Summerfest
This is a warm - season variety , but I ’ve had success planting in cool months . ‘ Summerfest ‘ is a great one to start with as it ’s quite reliable .
Tora-san
If you desire a agile - growingF1 variety , ‘ Tora - san ’ is the one for you . The light halt and dark green leaves seem to last forever when you pluck just the amount of folio you necessitate each fourth dimension .
Red Leaf
‘ Red leaf ’ is another hybrid and is consummate for picking infant leaves bracing for salad or for cooking . The plant look lovely with burnt lime - colored stems and red to purple leave-taking .
Tokyo Early
If you hold out in a warm area and receive your brassica bolt to seed easy , ‘ Tokyo Early ’ is your komatsuna . It ’s dense to deadbolt , can be planted most of the year and the shuck and leaves are extremely sensitive .
Sharaku
Developed in Japan , this intercrossed variety is bred for big harvest . It ’s broad to both cool and spicy weather and can be planted all class round . ‘ Sharaku ’ has an unsloped variety and the leaves and stems can be used for many dishes let in soup and pickling .
Green Boy
Tolerant of coolheaded weather , ‘ Green boy ‘ develop well in a glasshouse in wintertime . The cooler the days get , the long ‘ Green male child ’ take to mature . This type is a hybrid between komatsuna and tatsoi .
Senposai
This is a loan-blend of lucre and komatsuna . It has the sweet of chou and the tenderness of komatsuna . ‘ Senposai ’ is well planted in recent spring to early summertime .
There are quite a few other varieties so see what ’s available in your arena and plant what ’s beneficial for your part and pauperization .
How to Plant Komatsuna
Komatsuna only needs a calendar month or so to maturate , and there are many hybrids created to mature in cool and hot mood , so you’re able to grow this flora wherever you inhabit . you may also grow indoors or employ a dusty frame to offer your season if ask .
Sun and Soil Requirements
Provide full Sunday with a trivial good afternoon shadowiness . If you have harsh summer sun , provide shade in the hottest part of the twenty-four hours .
Plant in well - draining dirt . Dig in a balanced fertiliser with plenty of N for leaf growth before set . A pH of 5.6 to 7.5 is best . You want wet - retentive , fertile , loamy grease .
Planting Seeds
Plant in saltation to recent summer . Some hybrids can be imbed year - circular , so check the recommendations when you take a variety . Some hybrids are cool weather plants and will tolerate temperatures below 10ºF.
you may plant them in the ground once all scourge of frost has passed . Or startle them indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last Robert Lee Frost engagement in spring , or the first hoar escort in fall . Either fashion , keep the seeds moist as they bourgeon .
Komatsuna bolts when it fetch hot , but it ca n’t handle a hard frost , either . Plant when the temp will be right in the 45 ° F-80 ° F orbit .
temper off for one week before transplanting , starting when seedling are about 3 inches tall .
Plant seeds 6 inches apart with 18 - 24 in between rows . Use the thinned out plant as microgreens in salads and soups .
plant life seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch mystifying .
Sow every two weeks to get a constant supply . You should be able to harvest most varieties 30 to 40 day after germination .
Transplants
If you ’re lucky enough to find transplants at your local garden center , put the plants in the ground after the danger of frost has passed . Dig a kettle of fish doubly as wide and as deep as the container the plant come in .
Once it ’s in the earth , give it a estimable lachrymation .
Container Planting
Komatsuna maturate well in containers , specially if you harvest leaves as you need them to keep the size in check . flora two or three seedlings in one 5 gallon batch , using good quality potting intermixture .
Water well and place in a gay position . Keep the container near the kitchen for convenience .
Caring for Komatsuna
Like most leafy greens , komatsuna is promiscuous to care for and does n’t ask too much aid .
Fertilizer
practice a nitrogen - fat fertilizer when planting and a melted plant food 15 to 20 days after sprouting . Use a fertiliser formulated for vegetables or specifically for leafy greens .
Water
piddle freely in raging atmospheric condition , ensure you keep the soil moist . Komatsuna does n’t prize dry feet and ontogeny will be stunted .
In cooler weather condition be careful not to water too much and avoid leave puddles in the soil .
Basically , the soil should always be moist , but never marshy .
Keep the Plant in Check
Komatsuna does n’t need pruning as such , but to keep the industrial plant producing , on a regular basis pick the leaves , especially if they are amaze oversized or turn sensationalistic .
Also , be sure to pluck any flowers that originate to form .
Companion Planting for Growing Komatsuna
flora komatsuna with :
Do n’t plant with sunflowers .
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Komatsuna
Like most genus Brassica , komatsuna has a few blighter and disease to contend with . Here ’s what to watch out for .
Flea Beetles
Destructive pestis like flea beetles exit holes in your komatsuna . They are hard to verify when in high numbers .
apply neem oil and diatomaceous ground to keep number to a minimum . Mulch well around the base of the works to prevent or blockade the growth of the flea mallet from below the ground .
Our guidewill help you identify and get rid of these tiny pests .
Cabbage Loopers
If you have chewed edge on the leaf and they look ragged , you probably have cabbage looper . They can eliminate komatsuna if lead alone . Use organic genus Pyrethrum nebuliser and neem oil monthly .
Aphids
aphid tend to eat the youthful , tender leaves and will cause scrawny growth , curl leaves , and foliage decay . We have anentire guidededicated to tell apart and getting disembarrass of aphid .
Leaf Spot
If humidness is high or dew prevent the leaves stiff for too long , folio bit can go on . The leaves will have small dark circles or spots on them before they die and fall off .
leafage spot is best avoided by good craw rotation and removing all plant debris from the garden . Remove the moved foliage and throw them in the garbage .
Downy Mildew
Withdowny mildew , grey fluff develops on the leave of absence with severe cases pour down the plant or stunting the growth . The leave of absence ca n’t be eaten and other plants may become infected . The spore of this fungus over - wintertime and return each year of not address correctly .
Use an organic fungicide and transfer affected leaf straightaway . Ensure spacing between plants is adequate for good flow of air . Avoid water the whole plant life so the leaves stay dry . Carefully piddle the nucleotide of the plant .
Black Leg
Komatsuna broadly wo n’t be affected by this fungous disease unless there are other cruciferous crops nearby that are susceptible . This includes plant like broccoli and cauliflower .
An infected plant may be covered in black spots with a lightheaded , ash-grey outer circle . industrial plant will wither and die . If the komatsuna is badly regard , remove it from the garden and throw it in the garbage , not on the compost heap .
expend an organic foliar fungicide and exercise respectable crop rotation .
Harvesting Komatsuna
find fault the leaves at any stage . The young , tender farewell can be used stark naked in salads or in sandwiches . Komatsuna will regrow where leaves are snipped to provide a uninterrupted harvest time .
Use komatsuna in soup , wilt in stir - tyke or alimentary paste dishes . leafage can be pickle and go well with flavors like ginger , seafood , soy , ham , and smoked meats .
Komatsuna is a versatile green that has a wonderful relish and is super easy to grow . contribute it to your garden for variety and dependability .
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