asian greens
mizuna
komatsuna
Red mizuna plants have a rapid growth rate and mild flavor. Komatsuna has a good degree to
cold temperature.
Mizuna (Brassica japonica) and Komatsuna (Brassica rapa var.
perviridus), also known as mustard
spinach, is a lesser known Japanese
green related to mizuna and mibuna.
Komatsuna produces extremely well
under hydroponic cultivation and is
available as both red and green hybrid
varieties. Komatsuna has a somewhat
distinctive flavor somewhere between
that of a mustard and a cabbage but not
at all like spinach. Plants are upright
with round leaves, have a good degree
of cold tolerance, and are quick and
easy to grow.
mibuna are Japanese greens that are
widely grown worldwide. They have an
incredibly fast growth rate under warm
conditions; they outpace lettuce produc-
tion by several weeks. Mizuna is very
mild and has been grown for centuries
in Japan as a staple pickling vegeta-
ble, though it is also cooked and used
in many other dishes. Many hydroponic
producers grow mizuna for use in fresh
salad mixes. Mizuna plants produce
a dense clump of attractive, finely
dissected lime green leaves that can
be produced under a cut and regrow
system. There are also red/purple
varieties that develop more intense
red pigmentation when grown under
high light levels and cooler conditions.
Hybrid varieties of mizuna, which are
higher yielding and grow more rapidly
than open pollinated types, are highly
suited to hydroponic production. When
grown to maturity, mizuna measures
eight-inches tall by 12-inches wide. So,
plants need wide spaces and frequent
cutting to contain their size and growth.
Temperatures for mizuna production
range from 32-82˚F. This cold hardi-
ness makes mizuna a widely grown
winter crop in Japan and one that is
well-suited to unheated growing areas.
Maximum growth rates, however, occur
at 46-64˚F. Under warm growing condi-
tions, mizuna can be ready to harvest in
three weeks. Plants can be left to reach
a weight of up to 28 ounces after four to
five weeks of growth.
60
grow cycle
Mibuna (Brassica rapa) is closely
related to mizuna, though it has a
rounder leaf shape and slightly stronger
mustard-like flavor. Hydroponically,
mibuna is grown in much the same way
as mizuna for salad green production
and whole plant sales. However, mibuna
requires a wider spacing of 20 inches
between plants, is less tolerant of low
temperatures, and is more prone to
bolting under warmer conditions. EC
levels for both mizuna and mibuna are
1.0-1.4 on a well-balanced vegetative
nutrient formulation.
“Many varieties happily intercrop with
lettuce, herbs, and other vegetative
crops as they can use
the same nutrient
formulation
and environmental conditions.”