Vegetable seed varieties from China: Chinese cabbage, Chinese radish, Pumpkin

There are many vegetables grown in China which are not well known in Europe. We have sourced varieties of Chinese cabbage, Chinese radish and pumpkins as something a little different to normal which might be interesting and fun to try in the garden. Please note that we have not trialled these varieties ourselves yet, they are offered sight unseen - but from the variety descriptions and pictures they look very interesting.
Names given are directly from the Chinese.

Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis)

This leaf vegetable is well known in Europe. We have sourced two varieties of interest with a very different appearance to the normal shape and size.

Variety 90-1: F1 hybrid. Each plant is much smaller in size than a normal variety and as such is suitable for smaller gardens. Height approximately 30cm, 15 - 20cm in diameter with light green leaves. Mature in 8 - 10 weeks. Head weight 2+kg.

Variety Xinqing: F1 hybrid. Each plant has an unusual cylindrical shape, very attractive. Height is 60cm, head weight around 3.5kg. Matures in 13 - 15 weeks.

Chinese radish (Raphanus sativus)

Chinese radishes are larger and have distinct colours compared to their European cousins.

Variety Chuhong: F1 hybrid. Cylindrical shape, skin red in colour with white flesh, 14cm long, 3cm diameter, weight 125g, a light, sweet taste. Maturity 8 - 9 weeks.
 

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

Most pumpkins are orange. Here we offer a pair of pumpkins, one orange the other nearly black. The traditional colours for Halloween are orange and black, so why not grow both varieties and use them for displays in October?
 

Variety Hongxingli: F1 hybrid
red-orange fruit
12 - 14 weeks to maturity
each plant bears 2 - 3 fruits
each fruit weighs 1 - 1.5kg.
Flesh thick, sweet and of good quality.

Variety Heixingli: F1 hybrid
very dark green ('black') fruit with orange-yellow flesh.
each plant bears 2 - 3 fruits
each fruit weighs 1.5 - 2kg.
Pinching at the 5 - 6 leaf stage will give two main stems for easier cultivation.
Tolerant to drought and low temperature.

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