I'm growing a number of copy cat greens this fall. These two greens definitely fall into this category. I wouldn't be able to tell them apart unless they were labeled.
Tokyo bekana (on the left of the top picture) might have slightly bigger leaves. Since everything is grown densely in containers I can't really say this for sure.
Fun jen leaves might be slightly more ruffled. Again, I can't really say for sure. Either way, they are both really good, fast growing, crunchy, mild flavored greens. I would grow either in my theoretic garden, but probably not both.
I've been messing around with cooking fun jen, it was delicious just shredded and heaped on top a bowl of thai spiced rice noodle soup!
ReplyDeleteThai spiced soup sounds just perfect on a day like today. I've left flats of tokyo bekana and fun jen to see if they would 'hold' like greens do outside. It hasn't seemed to work and they are showing signs of age or nutrient deficiency. Or maybe it just isn't cold enough in the greenhouse. I've also thought that these two (vitamin green as well) might make a good caesar salad because they are so crunchy?
DeleteI've grown both but having transplanted they are being devoured by some tiny wriggly things. I've babysat them and thought i destroyed them all but there is new damage and i can't find the culprits so i don't think they will do well this year sadly. I'll grow them earlier next year before it is warm enough for the bugs to get a foothold.
ReplyDeleteBut i grew maruba santoh pak choi and i am guessing those are similar. Those were literally climbing out of my containers and by the time the bugs started i was well on my way to having eaten most of the harvest.
Hi - There are lots of things that like to eat most Asian greens and leave little tiny (or big) holes. When growing these greens outside I put row cover over the crop right after I transplant seedlings, or sow seeds. It helps keep the bugs, like flea beetles, off!
DeleteYes, before this year i was really only bothered by slugs. Cabbage root fly, caterpilars and aphids were not that big a problem but this year i've discovered a whole bunch of stuff that devour them that i never even knew existed!
ReplyDeleteBut i actually just harvested the fun jen & tokyo bekana and ate them today. They started bolting but i like the stem. They tasted just like maruba san toh and while i cooked them, they were better as salad.
When you put the row cover on top of them, won't you just be trapping any insects that are already on the soil in there with them?
Row covers could trap in insects. That's why it's important to put it on right away. It's equally important to rotate your crops so pest insects from last years crops won't be waiting in the soil to devour your new plants.
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