KomatsunaBrassica rapa var. perviridis

Komatsuna

Komatsuna

1. Brassica perviridis
2. Brassica rapa subsp. perviridis
3. Brassica chinensis var. komatsuna
4. Brassica chinensis f. komatsuna

1. Japanese mustard spinach
2. Mustard spinach

1. Mustard spinach

1. Komatsuma

1. NameMustard spinach

   Languageen

   Shared with

   1. Brassica juncea

   Clarification

   Specifically refers to the B. rapa var. perviridis variety, not to true mustard greens (B. juncea).

1. Komatsuna
2. Japanese greens
3. Asian leafy greens

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Rosids

Cabbage family

1. Mizuna
2. Pak Choi
3. Tatsoi
4. Speiserübe

1. Leaves
2. Stems
3. Flower buds

Komatsuna, often called Japanese mustard spinach, is a gem for year-round gardening. It grows extremely fast and can be harvested as tender baby leaf after just a few weeks. Its cold tolerance is particularly valuable, allowing for harvests well into the winter months.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Notes

   Resow continuously for young leaves.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Autumn Sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8
   2. 9

   Notes

   Best time for large, vigorous plants.

Full sun to partial shade

Not strictly required

Partial shade is better in summer to delay bolting.

Humus-rich, loose, medium-heavy

1. 6.5
2. 7.5

Well-drained

Regular, never let soil dry out completely

Water at the base to avoid leaf diseases

Basal dressing with ripe compost or organic slow-release fertilizer

Yellow leaves during nitrogen deficiency

Good gap filler between slower growing crops.

1. Legumes
2. Early potatoes
3. Lettuce

1. Heavy feeders (next year)
2. Green manure
3. Radishes

Maintain a 3-4 year break from other brassicas to prevent clubroot.

Pale, yellowish leaves and stunted growth.

Premature bolting during heat or drought stress.

1. Biting insects
2. Leaf suckers

1. Soil-borne fungi
2. Leaf spot diseases

1. Use insect netting against pests.
2. Keep consistently moist to prevent bolting.
3. Strictly follow crop rotation.

For wilting leaves, check soil moisture first, then inspect roots for swelling.

1. Slugflea_beetle_infestation

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Drought
   2. Warm soil

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Keep soil moist
   2. Hoeing

   Organic control

   1. Dusting with rock flour
   2. Wormwood tea

1. Symptom

   Many small holes in young leaves

   Possible causes

   1. flea_beetles

   First checks

   1. Look for jumping beetles
   2. Check soil moisture

Bolting is often confused with natural growth; flea beetle damage with hail damage.

1. Germination
2. Cotyledon stage
3. Seedling development
4. Rosette formation
5. Leaf maturity
6. Bolting (at flowering)
7. Flowering
8. Seed maturation

Very rapid development; often taking only 25 to 40 days from seed to first harvest.

April to June (if overwintered) or during heat stress

Yellow

May to November

2.0 - 4.5 kg per m²

Multiple harvests possible (cut-and-come-again).

1. Leaf length approx. 10 cm for baby leaf
2. Leaf length 20-30 cm for full-grown plants
3. Before flower stalks appear

Cool leaves immediately or wrap in a damp cloth to prevent wilting.

1. Refrigeration
2. Freezing (blanched)
3. Pickling

Short-term storage (fresh)

2 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

1. Freezing
2. Lacto-fermentation
3. Salt-pickling (Tsukemono)

1. Stir-fry
2. Soups
3. Salads
4. Steaming

Mild, slightly sweet with a subtle mustard note; less pungent than other mustard greens.

1. Stems require slightly longer cooking time than the leaves.
2. Excellent as a substitute for spinach or pak choi.
3. Brief blanching preserves the vibrant green color.

1. Leaves
2. Stems
3. Flower buds
4. Young flower stalks

1. Roots (not commonly used)
2. Old, woody stems

Non-toxic. Like all brassicas, it contains glucosinolates, which are health-promoting in normal quantities.

Very suitable, especially young leaves are tender and flavorful.

Medium

Pods (siliques)

Use distance or cages, as crossing with other Brassica rapa (e.g., pak choi, Chinese cabbage, turnips) is highly likely.

1. Slow bolting
2. Large leaves
3. Disease resistance
4. Good flavor

Not applicable, as Komatsuna is an annual herbaceous plant.

If plants are allowed to flower in spring, they provide an early food source for wild bees.

Sow early under glass or fleece for the first vitamin source of the year.

The best time for Komatsuna! Shortening days prevent bolting.