Asian Mustard Salad Mizuna [Brassica rapa var. Japonica]

The annual Asian lettuce ‘Mizuna’ is a fast-growing lettuce that is cold-tolerant and grows from a dense rosette. Delicate and sweet-spicy cabbage flavour, with a broccoli-arugula aroma. Suitable for eating raw. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, autumn sowing, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the leaves. 

 Description 
Asian lettuce ‘Mizuna’ is an annual and fast-growing lettuce that originated in Asia. The high-yielding and cold-tolerant cabbage grows from a dense rosette with strongly pinnate and light green leaves. The mild cabbage flavour is delicate and sweet and spicy, with a broccoli-arugula aroma. Asian lettuces are eaten fresh or cooked. The variety is high-yielding and can be harvested over a long period of time.

 General information 
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 40 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -10°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 0.5-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 12-18 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 20x25 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Basil, Marigold, Tagetes, Rosemary, Spinach, Soy, Bean, Pea
Unfavorable mixed culture: Kohlrabi, Onion, Garlic, Mustard, Horseradish, Radish, other types of cabbage

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is recommended in autumn when temperatures drop from September to November. Ideally, the plants should be planted in a sheltered and sunny location. 
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing in autumn from July to September and planting from mid-September to early October for overwintering. Ideally, the plants should be planted in a sheltered and sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Asian lettuce ‘Mizuna’ does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a longer harvest period, the flower bases should be broken out and care should be taken not to damage the heart during harvesting. Harvest the leaves from the outside inwards to keep growth stable. To prevent cabbage flies from laying eggs, it is advisable to use vegetable protection nets. To quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is advisable to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich and constantly moist soil fundamentally promotes growth. Fertilization is not necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Brassica rapa var. japonica, Brassica rapa var. nipposinica
English names: Asian mustard salad
German names: Asiatischer Senfsalat
Portuguese names: Salada de mostarda Àsia
Spanish names: Ensalada asiática de mostaza
French names: Salade de moutarde d'Asie, Salade de moutarde asiatique

 Origin 
Country: Portugal