I've not tried the dwarf variety myself(although though mine weren't huge) but what I do know is you don't need to pluck the whole plant, you can just peel the outside leaves off, and it'll keep growing, obviously being smaller this may be more difficult for you, mine grew very well, although they are suffering catapiller abuse ATM.

Hope
That helps

Have not tried that one. Fairly good luck with New Nabai, small ( 6 inch) 45 days.
{{gwi:113806}}

Thanks madferret, I am sorry to hear that you have those pesky critters I do find that is the sad side of veggie gardening, but by the looks of it farmerdilla has this down pat, Farmerdilla you have a superduper green thumb, seems like everything grows well for you, looks like you polished those leaves just for the picture. I have regular pak choi growing so I can harvest out side leaves on those. Thanks guys.:o)Deanna

I have grown a very dwarf bok choy called Toy Choy. It is harvested and cooked whole when just large enough to be eaten in one or two bites. Fun! I imagine Extra Dwarf is similar. I plan to grow it next year.

My favorite baby bok choy so far is Mei Qing. It has pale green stems, not white. It is highly resistant to bolting and has a very good flavor. It grows about 6" or 8" tall.

The New Nabai in Farmerdilla's pic is gorgeous.

Jim

Hi Deanna-

Grew some Extra Dwarf from BC earlier this year. Unless you are Farmer Dilla ; ) you should definitely grow under some kind of row cover, the leaves are so small they don't really grow out of insect damage like their larger cousins.

It's not a main crop, for sure, but fun to use whole in a stirfry or wonton soup. Mine started to flower really early, which puzzled me since i don't usually have trouble with bok choy bolting. Noticed that Evergreen lists it as a Choi Sum which may account for that. Or not ; )

Here is a link that might be useful: Extra Dwarf at Evergreen

Thanks all on the cultivars you shared and I will be using some kind of thin row cover because I am a bug magnet lol, and they need to keep that pristine look for clear soups like wonton. Maurirose, when you see them bolting can you still use them or do they get funky tasting?
I think I need to seek professional help because planting new veggies or flowers sure is a mood lifter for me, and I am not sure if being so excited about seeds sprouting is really good, maybe the Dr. might tell me to get a life LOL. I know my family sure thinks I am weird. Thanks :o)Deanna

Great success with Extra Dwarf Choy Sum(from Evergreen)!
This is my first time growing it. Direct sow on Aug. 6. First harvest on Sept. 7 and second on Sept 28. At harvest, instead of cutting the outer leaves as mentioned above, I cut the main stem and left the outer layer of leaves alone. Lo and behold, it grew 2nd stem and it is as tasty and tender as the first harvest. So far I have not used any fertilizer or pesticide. I'll keep on harvesting and find out how long a plant can produce.
The leaves, stem, and flowers are all very tender and tasty. I harvest them at 2-3 inches, boil them whole in water for 2 minutes, then drizzle with oil and oyster sauce or soy sauce paste (less salty than soy sauce but more viscous). It is easy, cute to look at, and so delicious. A keeper.

Hybrid Joi Choi is a true 45 days bok choi that is not that small. Less fussy about soil and fertilizer than other brassica, and ideal for pnbrown self-seeding technique, since the volunteers invariably grow better than those I seed myself.

Well that a new one, they keep telling me not to harvest the center I guess you proved them wrong, they must be pretty tough little guys. Mine have just started to sprout so in a month or so I will get to see if they taste good. :o)Deanna

Being a Hybrid, the seeds will give you something else. But I can recommend it as the best bok choi I have ever grown. Mostly because it is very fast. Territorial Seeds has it.

I just cut off the Joi Choy at the ground for a one time harvest. I can plant it and cut it off above the ground and get a regrowth of a second plant? Hmmm, interesting. Maybe I should try this. The only problem I see is how does the stems hold together, aren't they held together by the main stem?

Jay

Jay, I harvest Choy Sum the same way Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan or Kai Lan) is harvested. So far I have picked twice from the plant sown on Ang.7 and the little stem for a 3rd picking is already showing. The 1st harvest gives me a beautiful rosette with a center stem surrounded with leaves and maybe a center flower head. The 2nd harvest is exactly the same rosette form and as beautiful and tasty as the 1st.

The rosette is very showy in cooking presentation. Choy Sum in Chinese means "Center of the vegetable" and is often eaten in the rosette form so people can enjoy the center (a feast to the eyes and the taste buds). Unlike many leafy vegetables, Choy Sum center flowers taste great and flowering does not change the taste of the leaves. Too bad I didn't take any pictures before eating them.

I was told that a Gai Lan plant can keep producing side shoots for up to 3-5 pickings. But the side shoots gets smaller after each time, and finally becomes impractical. I have not noticed significant size changes yet, but will not be surprised if it does get smaller. Come to think of it, maybe it'll be better to grow the regular Choy Sum so the 4th or 5th picking will not be too diminutive?