Chinese flowering cabbages or choy sums (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis

Choy sums are also referred to as mock pak choy. This vegetable is grown and harvested similar 

to gai-lan. The white to light green stems are cooked without peeling and have a pleasant, mild 

flavor. Important quality characteristics are a tender stalk and closed yellow flower buds. For 

optimum quality, cooler growing weather is required. Under Florida conditions, average days 

from fall seeding to harvest maturity are 60-70. Choy sum is planted with 3-4 rows per bed with 

plants spaced 20-30 cm apart; planting density varies from 72,000 to 108,000 plants/ha. Average 

seasonal yield, with 2 to 3 harvests, is about 620-980 18 kg-cartons/ha (Shuler 1995). 

Postharvest requirements are similar to those of other cool season leafy vegetables (

Table 3

4

).