Description
Kang Kong (Water Spinach or Ong Choy) Bamboo Leaf seeds
Ipomoea aquatica
Packet - 15 seeds, 5g, 10g
Kang Kong Bamboo Leaf or Water Spinach is a Filipino staple (Ching Quat) when it comes to vegetables. Rich in vitamins and minerals and is abundant in the country. It is an aquatic tropical vine that can be successfully grown in moist soil. This variety produces green leaves and green stems.
Commonly called Water Spinach, Kong xin cai, Kangkong or Ong Choy, Ipomoea aquatic goes by many names around the world. It has spinach-like leaves with long hollow stems. Almost all parts of the young plant are edible, but the tender shoot tips and younger leaves are preferred.
The spinach-like leaves are mild and tender and without any trace of the oxalic acid taste of regular spinach and the long hollow stalks have the advantage of holding onto all flavourings they are cooked with and stay crunchy even when wilted. No wonder it is one of the most popular greens in southeast Asia.
Sowing Guide
Direct seed or transplants may be used. In warmer locations, it can be grown as a perennial. In cool to cold locations, it can be grown as an annual or as a greenhouse plant. It does very well in hydroponic systems and is an excellent permaculture plant.
It grows so fast and easily and tastes so good, that anyone in a temperate climate could grow this plant indoors in winter and outside in summer.
Water Spinach does not do well where average temperatures drop below 10°C, and do much better when the temperature is between 20 to 30°C. It tolerates very high rainfall, but not frost.
Soak seeds for 24 hours before sowing to encourage germination. Seeds can be sown directly or seedlings transplanted into the beds. The soil temperature requirement for germination is 20°C.
To produce strong seedlings, the seed should be sown 5mm deep in trays with potting mix deep enough to allow the plants to develop a good root system. Transplant when plants are 10 to 15cm tall with four true leaves.
Plant stems are not strong, but plants grown in beds support each other and produce longer stems with less branching. The highest yields are obtained by spacing plants at 15 x 15cm. They can also be grown in rows about 30cm apart
Water spinach needs much more water than most other vegetable crops. This increased irrigation can leach out readily available nutrients, so it is recommended to use slow-release forms of fertility. Where rainfall is low, frequent heavy irrigations are necessary for high-quality shoots.
The plants grow to around 30cm tall with trailing stems that can grow to 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10ft) long.
If you live in warmer locations, you may need to contain the plants or harvest often to keep it from spreading too much. It has long, jointed and hollow stems, which allow the vines to float on water or creep across the muddy ground. Adventitious roots are formed at nodes that are in contact with water or moist soil. Harvesting for human consumption is the best method, by far.
Harvest 30 to 60 days after sowing, depending on climate and culture.
Water Spinach can be harvested completely or in a cut-and-come-again manner. Plants are harvested by cutting the stem close to the ground. Shoots regrow readily and growers should get two to three cuttings of water spinach before frost.
Water Spinach is always best when used very fresh. It is very perishable and deteriorates rapidly once picked, and only stores in the refrigerator for about a day or two. It can be used as fodder for animals, including pigs, chicken and ducks.
All orders ship from Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Where We Ship
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All over Australia, including WA & TAS. We do not ship seeds outside Australia.
Processing Times
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Order dispatch or packing time, 1 to 3 business days. Weekends and public holidays excluded. Transit time is additional.
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Western Australia orders are packed each Thursday and handed to Australia Post on Friday. Place WA orders before Wednesday 11:59 PM Sydney time for Friday dispatch.
Delivery Options and Prices
Standard Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time, 3 to 10 business days. Remote WA and NT may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only, or any seeds or garden supplies up to 200 g | $3.95 |
| Upgrade seed packet delivery to tracked letter | Add $4.00 |
| Mixed items 200 g to 400 g | $5.95 |
| Mixed items 401 g to 2 kg | $8.95 |
| Mixed items over 2 kg, including seed potatoes, tubers, canes, rhizomes | $13.95 |
| Free Standard on orders over $120, any weight | Free |
Free letter option for small seed orders
Seed packet orders under 1 g qualify for free untracked domestic letter shipping when the order value is $40 or more after discounts. Delivery for untracked letters may take 5 to 12 business days, sometimes longer.
Express Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time is 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only | $16 |
| Seed packets and bulk weight-based seeds up to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 0 to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 501 g to 1 kg | $21 |
| Bulk seeds 1.01 kg to 3 kg | $26 |
| Bulk seeds 3.01 kg to 5 kg | $45 |
| Bulk seeds 5.01 kg to 10 kg | $80 |
| Bulk seeds 10.01 kg to 15 kg | $120 |
Important for WA Express
We do not provide Express parcel service for WA orders because Quarantine inspection delays delivery, which defeats the purpose of Express.
State Specific Requirements and Fees
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Western Australia, add $3 per order for Quarantine inspection. All WA seed orders go to Quarantine WA for inspection. Tracking activates after inspection, which may take up to 10 business days from our pack date. Delivery within WA generally takes an additional 1 to 5 business days after release from Perth Airport.
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Tasmania, add $3 per order for Biosecurity paperwork. Maximum 1 kg per seed line item. Biosecurity Tasmania restrictions apply.
Tracking and Delivery
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You receive a dispatch email with a tracking number when your order leaves our warehouse. Some small-value orders may ship as untracked letters.
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Signature on delivery is available. Add $3.95. If not selected, the carrier may leave the parcel in a safe place, your letterbox if it fits, or at a collection point. ID may be required for Registered or Signature services.
Delivery Timeframes and Late or Missing Orders
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Dispatch and delivery times are estimates. Events outside our control, such as weather or carrier delays, can affect timing.
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We use Australia Post guidelines to decide when an order is considered late or missing.
When an order is considered missing
| Service | Usual delivery time | Time before an order is counted as missing | Review period before replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy delivery | 3 to 7 business days | 20 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
| Express delivery | 1 to 3 business days | 5 business days beyond Australia Post’s estimate | 2 to 3 business days |
Delivery guarantee
If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we will work with you on a fair resolution, which may include a full refund, an upgrade to tracked delivery at a subsidised rate, or a one-time replacement. If we resend an order, that replacement is final and is sent at your own risk. No further refund or replacement will be provided.
Important Notes
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We process orders after receiving cleared payment.
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Postage rates are per order. We may combine multiple orders to the same recipient at the same address into one shipment.
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Shipping charges are not discounted during product sales.
Need Help?
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Phone, 1800 733 399
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Business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm NSW time (AEDT or AEST depending upon daylight savings)
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Address, PO Box 148, Riverstone NSW 2765
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ABN, 63 634 537 492
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship outside Australia
No. We only ship within Australia.
How long does Standard delivery take
Most orders arrive in 3 to 10 business days. Remote WA and NT may take longer.
How long does Express delivery take
Most orders arrive in 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
Do WA orders have delays?
Yes. WA orders go through Quarantine inspection. Tracking activates after inspection.
Can I get a signature on delivery?
Yes. You can add a signature on delivery for $3.95.
When is an order considered missing
We follow Australia Post guidelines. See the timeframes above.
Estimate shipping
Shipping Restrictions
Western Australia Customers: We can ship most seed line items, except Quarantine WA restricted seed lines to WA. To help us ship your order as quickly and efficiently as possible, please do not include any seed items prohibited in WA; they are listed with the label 'NOT to WA'. Due to quarantine restrictions in WA, there is a 10kg seeds limit per variety. WA orders require additional handling time. Please remain within an approved limit when ordering seeds. We review every WA order before dispatch and remove (or reduce) excess seed quantity from your order to comply with WA biosecurity regulations. Please check further information here
Tasmania Customers: We can ship seeds to Tasmania. Please do not include seed line items labeled 'NOT to TAS'. Please note that the maximum allowable limit per permitted seed line item is 1kg per order.