Hon Tsai Tai, Greens

Hon Tsai Tai Specialty Greens Seed

Purple stems and yellow florets create striking harvests
Tender stalks offer a gently mustardy flavor
Pick florets just before their blossoms fully open
Suited to salads, quick sautés, and stir-fries

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Brassica rapa

Days to maturity

37 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

100 Seeds

About Hon Tsai Tai, Specialty Greens Seed, Specialty Greens Seed

The Hon Tsai Tai has deep purple tender stalks with a slight mustard flavor that is great in different salads or cooked into stir fries! Its green leaves have petite florets that are best harvested right before the bright yellow blossoms open. Hon Tsa Tai is best grown in mid to late summer.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

3–10 days

In-row plant spacing

4-12"

Row Spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Maturity

Spring, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

11,250

Color

Green

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

A successful Specialty Greens planting begins with a full-sun location in cool weather or light afternoon shade in warmer conditions, with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Work in compost and prepare a fine, level, weed-free seedbed. Plan dependable irrigation and avoid fresh manure or excessive nitrogen immediately before planting.

Planting

Specialty Greens is best direct-sown during cool weather, beginning when the soil is workable. Keep the upper soil evenly moist until emergence, and provide light shade if warm conditions threaten germination. Thin baby-leaf greens to about 1–2 inches apart or mature plants to 6–12 inches, adjusting for the crop in the mix. Make small succession sowings every 1–3 weeks while temperatures remain suitable.

Watering

Specialty Greens needs steady moisture for rapid, tender growth. Water deeply before plants wilt, keeping the root zone moist but not waterlogged and directing irrigation below the leaves.

Fertilizer

Specialty Greens benefits from moderate nitrogen during active leaf production. Side-dress lightly when needed, following soil-test and label recommendations, and avoid concentrated fertilizer against plants.

Harvesting

Cut specialty greens leaves at the desired baby or mature size while they remain crisp and well colored. Harvest outer leaves repeatedly, or remove the whole plant before flowering begins.

Tips

Extend the specialty greens season with row cover in cold weather and afternoon shade during heat. Keep weeds controlled and sow short rows repeatedly instead of one large planting.

AVG. Seeding Rate

For bunching: 1 oz./830', 1 lb./13,000' at above spacing.

Pests & Diseases

Disease risks vary by species, but damping-off, downy mildew, leaf spots, and bacterial soft rot commonly affect specialty greens. Use clean seed, rotate crops by plant family, and keep leaves dry. Remove slimy or spotted foliage promptly, and confirm the crop identity before choosing resistant varieties or treatments.

Monitor specialty greens for aphids, slugs, leafminers, flea beetles, and chewing caterpillars. Protect young plants with barriers and use targeted controls that leave edible foliage free of unnecessary residues.