I grow it during our cool season .. fall winter spring. In fact I'm harvesting now from seeds sown in 6 packs and transplanted in January. I've got some more ready to be transplanted that was sown 3 weeks ago. We have had a very mild winter, with nights barely dipping below 45. But even in colder years they grow fine in the winter, just slower. I would be very surprized if you could not grow it in zone 9 Texas in the early spring. Why not right now?
Thanks, reefisher! Have you seen the heat-tolerant varieties that bolt in cold weather? I might try something like that. Here's one http://www.agrohaitai.com/leafveg/pakchoy/happytropic.htm
Hey!! that's a great source for asian seeds. Maybe I can find a variety that I can grow in the summer here. I lived in the New Territories of Hong Kong from august thru september the following year. I visited a lot of village farms, I think I remember (long time ago '61-62) seeing mature bak choy in sept. This was all for market, and I have a feeling that they would harvest at any point of growth if the choy started to bolt or get fibrous. I do remember eating some less that ideal choy, fibrous and tough. The biggest problem I've had with cold temp bolting has been with dai gai choy, the large Chinese mustard that is grown for the tender succulent stalks. I've never been able to time it to suite my schedule. The only success I've had is when it volunteers on its own schedule. I guess waiting for the ideal conditions. I would love to find a variety that is more predictable, 'cause I love this veggie stirfried with pork or chinese sausage. But we do have a number of large asian markets here that get a decent variety of fresh asian veggies, some grown locally or in the Imperial valley or San Quintin, Baja.
Reefisher- For another source of Asian veg seeds, have you shopped Evergreen Seeds? They have a lot of Asian greens. I haven't bought from them yet but the site is well reviewed on another gardening site.
I think I will give the pak choy a try. I'll post here as to how it goes!
