Radish: [Cultivation, Irrigation, Associations, Pests and Diseases]

Important points when sowing Radish

Where to sow? In full light. It needs a lot of sunlight.
When? In spring and until late fall.
How do we prepare the land? Removed, removing weeds. Clay and neutral soils with a substrate rich in nutrients.
How do we water? With drip.
How often do we water? Abundant to maintain the humidity of the crop, without excesses.
Plagues and diseases? Aphids, larvae and caterpillars. Rotting, breaking of the radish due to excess moisture.

The radish, Raphanus sativus , is a plant of the Cruciferae family, it originated in China and is currently found all over the world. Its fruit is a purple root on the outside and ice white on the inside.

In Latin, radish is «radix» or root. The fruit has a spicy flavor that distinguishes it and makes it very special. Its seeds are circular dark brown with a diameter of 5mm.

The radish is highly valued in haute cuisine worldwide to accompany salads and cold dishes such as pickles. It is also used to make soups, stews, and in some places for decoration.

The growing cycle of this plant is approximately 3-6 weeks, from seed to harvest, depending on the variety. According to chemical studies, radish is a source of antioxidants and vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory properties, controls blood pressure, cleanses the kidneys and urinary tract.

When to plant radish?

The radish can be grown by direct seeding in the spring seasons and until late fall. For best development, radishes should be grown in moist, nutrient-rich soil.

Where to do it?

The radish plant should be located in places with a lot of light and should receive at least 4 hours a day of direct sun, although it can tolerate semi-shade.

The sowing of the radish will be better in cool climates since temperatures below 12º C do not favor the development of the plant.

How to prepare the land?

The preparation of the land for the cultivation of the radish does not entail greater care since the plant adapts to all types of soils.

The perfect soil for radish development should include deep, clay-type, neutral soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.

The radish is a plant whose fruit are radishes that grow like roots and if the soil does not provide them with the required nutrients and with good humidity then it cannot develop.

The land for the cultivation of the radish can be prepared by means of furrows that have a distance of 15 centimeters between them. The best soils are those that contain decaying organic matter.

About 20 million bacteria and a million fungi typically grow in a handful of soil. The radish requires a land that is free of weeds and weeds so that the plant can develop and absorb all the nutrients it requires.

How do we water the radish?

The radish requires specific care in terms of irrigation that has to do with maintaining uniform humidity, watering less frequently, but thoroughly, always watering at dusk or early in the morning.

Always keep the leaves dry and place the correct amount of water. The plant requires that the soil always remain moist, but taking care not to produce waterlogging,

Radish is more sensitive to lack of water than other root vegetable species and during the period close to maturity over-irrigation should be avoided, as this could induce the plant to develop lateral roots.

In addition, if the irrigation is excessive, the radish can present diseases, such as rotting or the radish breaking. On the contrary, if the risks are scarce but its permanent humidity, its flavor will be more spicy.

How do we sow a radish step by step?

The radish can be grown directly from seeds in a garden and does not require transplanting, so in the place where it is planted, it will develop and grow both in the ground and in containers.

planting in orchard

If the cultivation is carried out in an orchard, it is recommended:

Deposit the seeds in furrows 1 to 2 centimeters deep, separated by about 5 centimeters from each other.
Keep a distance between the furrows of approximately 5 centimeters in case of sowing in more than one furrow. It is very important to respect these spaces so that the radish has a good root development
Water immediately after sowing, do not let the soil lose moisture.

sowing in pots

In the case of a culture in containers or pots, the following steps must be followed:

Select pots or containers with a depth of at least 15 centimeters and a minimum volume of one litre.
Use a substrate that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage.
Sow the seeds in small furrows 1-1.5 cm deep and with a distance of 8-12 cm between them, depending on the size of the variety.
Place the seeds with a separation of 5 centimeters and cover with soil and mixture. If they are planted very close together, the radishes will be affected by high temperatures and their roots will not grow properly, also altering their flavor.
Fertilize the radish 15 days after planting to provide more nutrients and promote growth.

Radish seedlings will emerge approximately 3 days after sowing, and the first leaves, cotyledons, will be heart-shaped.

Sometimes it is necessary to cover the radishes with a little soil once they have grown a bit, so that they develop better. Always keep the land free of weeds.

What favorable associations does it have?

The association of crops of compatible plants produces benefits with respect to their cultivation separately, in addition to the use of light, water and/or nutrients.

There are no known favorable associations of radish cultivation with other species, however, this selection will correspond to horticulturists and specialists in the area in order to obtain better results.

What pests and diseases attack the radish?

The radish can present diseases caused by the excess of irrigation that can lead to the rot and the breakage of the radish.

Pests and especially aphids and larvae also affect the crop. A heavy infestation of caterpillars can wipe out radish leaves in a couple of days.

In general, it is very important to check the radish crop, once or twice a week, especially the underside of the leaves to detect any pest that could present. To combat them, it is recommended to apply water with biodegradable soap or remove the caterpillars by hand.

Bibliography and references

Encyclopedia My first knowledge about Plants, Snakes and Conservation. (1961). Spanish edition by Dr. Frank Thompson. Grolier Publisher Incorporated New York. Printed in Mexico.