Mysterious Sprouts Have Matured: Now What Are They?

Posted on Nov 29 2010 - 3:31am by Mike Lieberman

Categorized as

Balcony

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There have been mysterious sprouts growing in the containers on my balcony garden for months now.

At first I thought they were old seeds that I had planted and never sprouted, but then I planted in new containers using new soil and the sprouts appeared again.

Some of the sprouts have finally started to mature to the point where they have full leaves. They are dark green in color and hearty like malabar spinach.

I cannot identify what they could possibly be. Are they a weed? Edible? Ornamental? I’ve pretty much thinned them out in most of the containers, but still have some stragglers.

As long as they are an edible, I’m cool. Does anyone have any ideas as to what they could be or how I would go about identifying them?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2psInWBa0Uw

18 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

Anonymous November 29, 2010 at 1:32 pm -

My first thought was spinach, but I wouldn’t eat it until someone who’s better at this than I am confirms. 🙂
zdanielz November 29, 2010 at 1:59 pm -

I think this is Tatsoi – an Asian mustard like green – you can eat it raw in Salads, or stir fry it – it’s yummy.
Hopefully – I am not mistaken, I wouldn’t eat it if I wasn’t 100% sure though 🙂
bruce November 29, 2010 at 2:04 pm -

i am prettty sure that is tatsoi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatsoi
mrsgreen@myzerowaste.com November 29, 2010 at 2:32 pm -

Hmmm, I was going to suggest watercress or lambs lettuce, but now I’ve looked at tatsoi photographs, it’s looking more like that to me… How exciting for you!
Mike Lieberman November 29, 2010 at 3:13 pm -

Thanks. It’s like an added bonus for planting stuff.
Mike Lieberman November 29, 2010 at 3:20 pm -

That seems to be the consensus at this time. Thanks.
Mike Lieberman November 29, 2010 at 3:20 pm -

Most seem to think so. Appreciate the input.
Mike Lieberman November 29, 2010 at 3:21 pm -

Hahaha.Thanks Becky.
Anonymous November 29, 2010 at 7:01 pm -

I completely agree with the consensus, that is definitely tatsoi – also called bok choy. Try it! The baby leaves are especially yummy 🙂
Meemsnyc November 30, 2010 at 4:11 am -

Have you tasted it?
Mike Lieberman November 30, 2010 at 5:11 am -

Not yet. Gonna let em grow a bit more first.
Fern @ Life on the Balcony November 30, 2010 at 6:31 am -

I was going to say bok choy too. Seems like that’s what everyone thinks. 🙂
soni December 4, 2010 at 5:15 am -

i aint no expert….can itbe “polk salad”? it still a little small i need to wait till it matures
Mike Lieberman June 27, 2011 at 5:51 am -

Thanks for the tips. It was def some kind of asian green. I ate it and am still here…for now. So can’t be too bad 😉
Aagaardfarms March 24, 2012 at 4:28 pm -

Looks like bok choi or tat tsoi – absolutely delightful greens for salad!
Mike Lieberman March 25, 2012 at 4:21 pm -

Yes. Very much so.
Aagaard Farms July 26, 2012 at 7:03 pm -

Yes, a bok or tat tsoi – no question! Yummy!
heather January 1, 2014 at 10:09 am -

That’s not poke. And if it were, he’d still be alive, but wouldn’t eat more than a bite. That stuff is BITTER.