Brassica juncea aka Mustard Greens
Taxonomy
Brassica juncea, commonly known as brown mustard, Chinese mustard, Indian mustard, leaf mustard, Oriental mustard, and vegetable mustard, is an annual herb native to southern and eastern Asia. It has been cultivated for centuries in Europe and Asia and has given rise to a variety of leafy vegetables popular in eastern Asia, such as Chinese mustard greens and Japanese mizuna. This plant features evergreen leaves with a wavy or toothed edge, larger lower leaves on stalks, and smaller narrow upper leaves. Its yellow flowers develop into long green pods containing brown seeds. All parts of the plant are edible when young, and the leaves are commonly added raw to salads or boiled before consumption. Growing up to 1-2 feet tall, it has petiolate basal leaves with lobes and smaller stem leaves. The bright yellow flowers, although not visually appealing, mature to 1.5 inches long. Apart from its use as a vegetable, the pungent seeds of Brassica juncea are used to flavor various dishes, and its seed oil is popular for cooking in Asia. However, this plant has gained a reputation as an invasive weed outside of its cultivated areas and is listed as invasive in several regions, including Michigan, Florida, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Americas, and many Pacific Islands.
Common names
Mustard Greens, India Mustard, Oriental Mustard, Brown Mustard, Chinese MustardHow to care for Mustard Greens
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Mustard Greens is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Mustard Greens should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Mustard Greens loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Mustard Greens prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Mustard Greens to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
Humidity
The Mustard Greens does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Mustard Greens grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Mustard Greens as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Mustard Greens’s native range is Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and temperate Asia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Brassica Genus

Brassica napus Rutabaga

Brassica oleracea acephala Tree Collard
Brassica juncea rugosa Cabbage Leaf Mustard
Brassica oleracea medullosa Marrow Stem Kale

Brassica nigra Black Mustard
Brassica oleracea ramosa Branching Bush Kale

Brassica juncea Mustard Greens

Brassica oleracea capitata
