Brassica juncea aka Mustard Greens
Taxonomy ID: 849
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 MustardMore information about Mustard Greens
How difficult is it to take care of Mustard Greens
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.
What is the growth pattern and size of Mustard Greens?
New growth will sprout from the top of the Mustard Greens as it grows vertically.
What is the region of origin of Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens’s native range is Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and temperate Asia.
What are the water needs for Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Mustard Greens
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.
What is the sunlight requirement for Mustard Greens
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.
What's the right humidity for Mustard Greens
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.
How to fertilize Mustard Greens
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.
Is Mustard Greens toxic to humans/pets?
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.
What seasonal care does Mustard Greens need?
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.
More info:
Wikipedia
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Brassica rapa Field Mustard
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