Everything You Need to Know About Hydroponic Asian Greens
Asian greens are an excellent choice, whether you’re looking for new ingredients for your favorite salads and stir-fries or just want to explore everything that Asian cooking has to offer. Just like their western counterparts, these greens pack a nutritional punch alongside lots of flavor. And they work wonderfully in a hydroponic greenhouse system, so you can grow them year-round in any climate.
4 Popular Types of Asian Greens
There are plenty of Asian Greens to choose from. In China alone, more than 30 types of greens are cultivated by farmers. Here are a few favorite Asian greens to consider for your hydroponic farming endeavors.
1. Chinese Broccoli
Chinese broccoli, also called gai lan, is a popular choice for stir fry dishes. The hugely popular broccolini is a cross between Chinese and western broccoli varieties. In Chinese broccoli, the stalks look similar to broccolini, but there are broad leaves at the end rather than broccoli’s traditional florets.
2. Chinese Celery
Chinese celery also goes by the names leaf celery or nan ling celery. It’s much smaller than western celery, looking more like an herb than a large, stalky vegetable. Chinese celery is sometimes used as an herb and is a delicious flavor to add to soups and stews. Unlike western varieties, this diminutive green is rarely served raw.
3. Chrysanthemum Greens
Throughout most of eastern Asia, Chrysanthemums are more than just colorful flowers. They’re also used in cooking, in teas, and the greens, called shungiku, are regularly eaten both cooked and raw. If you want to cook them, don’t overdo it — any more than about 30 seconds will turn them into a mushy lump. They’re also delicious served raw as a salad green.
4. Pak Choi
Pak choi, sometimes called bok choy, is one of the most popular Asian greens in western cooking. As a member of the cabbage family, it’s no surprise that these delicious leafy greens grow well in a hydroponic environment. They’re an interesting addition to salads when picked very young, but more often served steamed, boiled, or stir-fried.
How to Grow Hydroponic Asian Greens
Now that you know a few of the more popular Asian greens available, you may be wondering how to incorporate them into your hydroponic farm. Here are the conditions needed for each of our top Asian greens.
Chinese Broccoli
Temperature: 64-82˚F
pH: 6.0-6.8
EC: 2.8-3.5
Other considerations: Broccoli in all its varieties can be challenging for hydroponic growers. The biggest key is to ensure you have plenty of nitrogen in your solution during the vegetative stage as that will promote growth.
Chinese Celery
Temperature: 55-75˚F
pH: 5.8-6.8
EC: 1.8-2.4
Other considerations: Because Chinese celery grows tall, be sure to anchor your plants adequately to prevent them from toppling over.
Chrysanthemum Greens
Temperature: 64-75˚F
pH: 6.0-6.2
EC: 1.8-2
Other considerations: Be sure to harvest shungiku while still young. Waiting too long can produce a tougher green that is far less pleasing on the plate.
Pak Choi
Temperature: 50-70˚F
pH: 5.5-6.5
EC: 1.5-2.0
Other considerations: Nutrient deficiencies can be difficult to identify. Be sure to examine your crops regularly for stunted growth, cupping, or yellowing.
Asian Greens Nutritional Benefits
When choosing Asian greens to grow in your hydroponic farm, their health benefits are a primary benefit. Here are some details on our favorite Asian greens and their nutritional content.
Chinese Broccoli
Chinese broccoli is prized for its high levels of beta carotene. This nutrient, famous for its eye benefits, has been shown to prevent macular degeneration and its ensuing blindness. Chinese broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamin E, which is commonly thought to boost immune function and help prevent infections and perhaps even cancer.
Chinese Celery
A single serving of Chinese celery can provide over 40% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, a nutrient that is essential for the blood clotting process. In recent years, it has been used as a treatment for morning sickness, but results may vary. Chinese celery also contains a good deal of vitamin B9, commonly known as folate, an essential nutrient for pregnant women also used to treat some types of anemia.
Chrysanthemum Greens
In traditional Eastern medicine, chrysanthemum greens are prized for their concentration of chlorogenic acid and may be prescribed to those looking to lose weight or protect against kidney stones. These leafy greens are also an excellent source of carotene, vitamins B1 and C, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium.
Pak Choi
Pak choi has a significant concentration of antioxidants, so it’s of particular benefit to those concerned about heart disease, cancer, and other ailments. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, contains plenty of folate, and is rich in many other vitamins and minerals responsible for good health and longevity. In fact, there are few systems in the body that don’t benefit from the nutrients found in this powerhouse superfood!
Looking for a partner to help you set up a hydroponic farm of your own? Take a virtual tour of an Eden Green Technology greenhouse to see all we have to offer, or contact our vertical farming experts to discuss your hydroponic needs.