Daikon radish: outdoor cultivation

Daikon radish is a type of radish that has a white root vegetable. This fruit is very juicy and has many beneficial properties. For a long time ago, Russian gardeners began to grow this southern guest on their plots and were very successful in this.

Daikon radish: planting time

The timing of planting a daikon depends on the climatic zone in which you live. The most important thing in this matter is the length of daylight hours. When the root vegetable begins to form, it will need at least 16 light hours. If the daylight hours are shorter, the daikon will start shooting arrows very early, which will affect the quality of the root crop. If you are planting sprouted seeds, then take into account the fact that the air temperature outside should not drop below 10 degrees.

Daikon radish: choosing the soil

Radish can grow in almost any soil, it has no special preferences. But it is worth considering that it is best to choose a soft and light soil, the acidity should be normal. A garden bed for a daikon should be prepared already in the fall. The soil is dug up, fertilized and watered with superphosphates. You will get a very good harvest from the garden where carrots, cucumbers, potatoes or beets used to grow.

We plant seeds

Daikon radish on the wood background

It is best to start sowing daikon seeds in July, it is during this period that the daylight hours are very large, so the culture will grow rapidly and gain weight. If you want a later harvest, then start sowing in August. But it is worth remembering that the daikon planted in August needs to be covered at night, as there can be strong temperature changes. We throw one grain into each hole, and tamp it a little, sprinkle the bed with wood ash on top. The daikon should be planted only in wet soil, keep a distance when planting, the daikon does not like tightness. If there is a threat of lowering temperatures, the daikon is best closed with a non-woven material.

We plant by seedling method

Daikon seedlings are best sown in separate pots, peat pots are most suitable for this. We plant the seed not very deeply and we moisten the soil well. We cover the pots with plastic wrap and put them in a warm, slightly darkened place. A week later, as soon as shoots appear, we put daikon seedlings on the lightest windowsill. Two weeks before planting in the garden, start hardening the seedlings. Take it outside or on the balcony more often. When the plant has acquired two true leaves, it can be transplanted into the garden bed.

We plant in the winter

Daikon can also be sown in winter. We plant it in those beds from which the crop has already been harvested. You should remember only one rule, for the winter the daikon is properly covered in order to protect it from freezing. A shortened daylight hours also have a beneficial effect on plant growth, the culture will not begin to fatten. But there is a risk that the culture will not have enough time for full growth and development. As soon as the first borings appear, they need to be thinned out, otherwise the root crops will be quite cramped.

Daikon radish: care

Daikon care is very simple, the radish grows quite well and is not a hassle for the gardener. During the formation of the fruit, watering should be regular, if there is not enough moisture, the root crop will not develop and will shoot arrows. It is best to water the daikon once every 5 days. The first feeding is carried out immediately after germination. It is best to use mullein solution to fertilize the soil. After two weeks, we feed the daikon with a complex mineral fertilizer.In order to protect the daikon from diseases and pests, you need to follow some tricky rules: - seed treatment before planting; - we remove weeds; - We carefully check the plants for the presence of pests and diseases. If the bed is waterlogged, a black leg or bacteriosis may appear, in order to minimize the risk, follow the watering schedule. If you still notice signs of these fungi, then I advise you to turn to the help of drugs. In order for the pest not to be in charge of the garden, spray the beds with pepper infusion and sprinkle with ash. Pests and marigolds planted along the edge of the garden will also scare off.

Tips

Perhaps the most important advice for gardeners is not to use manure as fertilizer for daikon. This will have a very bad effect on the quality of the crop.