Green 70 D Improved Asian is a heat-tolerant choi sum bred for speed and reliability, ready to harvest in just 21 days. This compact Asian green thrives across hardiness zones 3 through 11, making it accessible to gardeners in nearly every climate. The open-pollinated variety germinates quickly in temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and tolerates frost, giving you a long harvest window from early spring through late fall. Sow it successively every few weeks for continuous harvests, or tuck it into a protected structure for winter production in mild climates.
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Moderate
3-11
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The speed is remarkable; you're harvesting tender greens three weeks after sowing. Its compact growth habit means it needs just 6 inches between plants and 18 inches between rows, fitting easily into tight garden spaces or containers. The heat tolerance sets it apart from many Asian greens, allowing summer sowings when other varieties bolt. Multiple harvests are possible by cutting at the budding stage, turning a single sowing into weeks of fresh greens.
Choi sum is traditionally harvested young at the budding stage, when the flowering stems and unopened buds are most tender and flavorful. Cut the central stem and developing buds to encourage branching and multiple harvests throughout the season. The entire plant, buds and tender leaves alike, goes into quick stir-fries, soups, and steamed dishes where its delicate texture shines.
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Sow seeds directly into the garden from early spring through midsummer. In mild climates, you can also sow into late fall for winter harvest under protection like a high tunnel. Space seeds or thin seedlings to 6 inches apart.
Begin harvesting 21 days after sowing. For choi sum, harvest when the buds are just mature or a few are just beginning to bloom. Cut the central stem and developing flower buds with a sharp knife, leaving the base of the plant intact. This encourages branching and multiple harvests from a single sowing; keep cutting and the plant will continue producing new stems and buds for weeks.
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