Brassica juncea (Chinese mustard)

Botanical name

Brassica juncea

Other names

Indian mustard, Leaf mustard, Chinese mustard, Dijon mustard, Gai choi, Kai choy, Kai tsoi, Karashina, Mustard cabbage, Rai, Swatow mustard, Mibuna, Brown mustard, Mustard greens

Genus

Brassica Brassica

Species

B. juncea - B. juncea is a rosette-forming annual with oval or lance-shaped, sometimes lobed, toothed, dark green leaves and upright stems bearing racemes of yellow flowers in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

The leaves are strongly pungent and are frequently mixed with these milder greens in a dish of "mixed greens".

Habit

Rosette, Erect flower stem

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Birds , Cabbage caterpillars , Cabbage gall weevil , Cabbage root fly , Cabbage stem flea beetle , Cabbage whitefly , Chafer grubs in lawns , Cutworms , Diamond-back moth , Flea beetles , Mealy cabbage aphid , Slugs , Snails , Swede midge

Specific diseases

Black rot , Clubroot , Downy mildew , Foot and root rot , Grey mould , Leaf spot , White blister

General care

Pruning

Harvest leaves 30-40 days after germination. Smaller & younger leaves tend to be milder than mature leaves. Leaves are hotter in soil that is too dry or poor.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in spring or start under glass in early spring.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Brassica juncea (Chinese mustard) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Grow in warm, fertile, well-drained soil in alkaline or neutral soil in full sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Brassica juncea (Chinese mustard)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Brassica juncea (Chinese mustard)

Common pest name

Leaf spot: ginseng; Leaf spot: ornamentals

Scientific pest name

Alternaria panax

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A leaf spot disease; some commonly grown pot plants are hosts but main damage is to ginseng.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Brassica juncea (Chinese mustard)

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/