Mizuna
Brassica rapa nipposinica

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Brassica rapa nipposinica is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Not known in the wild.

A cultivar of garden origin.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Leaves - raw or cooked. They can be eaten at any stage from seedling to mature plant though older leaves become fibrous. A very good salad, the leaves can also be cooked as greens or in soups etc. The leaf stalks can also be eaten but require more cooking than the leaves. It can be used as a cut and come again crop. regrowing rapidly after being harvested. Immature flowering stems - cooked like broccoli. A sweet flavour.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained fertile soils. Summer crops tolerate light shade. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 7. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil. The plant is shallow rooted and intolerant of drought, it needs to be grown in a moist fertile soil for the best quality leaves. Fairly hardy, tolerating quite hard frosts, though plants are likely to die if this is coupled with wet weather. Plants are also tolerant of summer heat. Mizuna is widely cultivated in China for its edible leaves, there are many named varieties. This plant is one of the most resistant to bolting of the oriental brassicas and can be sown in spring. It can also be planted in the summer for an autumn and winter crop. Mizuna can also be transplanted successfully. A fast growing plant, it can be cropped on a cut and come again basis just 2 - 3 weeks after sowing and has been known to continue cropping for 10 months before going to seed. A very ornamental plant.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ or in a seed bed from April to September. Thinnings can be transplanted. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in late autumn or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

B. rapa nipposinica.