Brassica rapa var. nipposinica (Mizuna)

Botanical name

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica

Other names

Mizuna

Genus

Brassica Brassica

Species

B. rapa var. nipposinica - B. rapa var. nipposinica is a hardy annual grown as an edible salad leaf. It forms a large rosette of finely dissected leaves, which are dark, glossy green, with a serrated edge.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Mizuna leaves have a characteristic peppery, cabbage flavour.

Habit

Clump-forming, Irregular

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Colour

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

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica (Mizuna) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.45m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

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

Cultivation

Plant in prepared, well-compacted, non-acidic soil in late spring or early summer. Or sow under glass for transplanting later in the autumn. It will survive through out the winter if grown in a sheltered spot.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

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), Tender in frost (H3)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica (Mizuna)

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 rapa var. nipposinica (Mizuna)

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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica (Mizuna)

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.

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/