Growing Bok Choy indoors using a Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system is an easy way to have this nutritious leafy green available to eat during the cold winter months in Canada.
Here is a video on how we set up our DWC system:
Materials needed:
- Air pump
- BPA Free Tubing
- Air Stone
- Clay Pebbles (Leca)
- 3″ Net Pots
- Storage tote bin (Food safe – PP #5, LDPE #4 or HDPE #2)
- Nutrient solution specifically formulated for leafy greens
- Grow lights
- Quality Bok Choy seeds
Prepare Seeds: Begin by germinating your Bok Choy seeds. Place the seeds directly into your growing medium. If using rockwool cubes, ensure they are pre-soaked and moist.
Set up DWC System: Fill the Storage tote bin with water and add the appropriate amount of nutrient solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Planting Seeds: Once your seeds have germinated and developed small roots (usually within 4-7 days), transplant them into your DWC system’s net pots filled with Leca Clay Pebbles. Make sure that the roots are submerged in the nutrient solution while keeping the top part of the plant above water.
Provide Light: Bok Choy requires about 14-16 hours of light per day for optimal growth. If you are growing indoors, we like to use LED grow lights.
Nutrients: Change out or refresh your nutrient solution every two to three weeks ensure healthy plant development.
Harvest time! Bok Choy typically reaches maturity in about 30-60 days after transplanting. You can harvest the whole plant by cutting at the base of the stem. We like to do Cut and come again, meaning we just harvest the leaves that are needed and more will keep on growing.
Bok Choy harvest in the middle of winter is truly possible. Happy Hydroponic Growing!
