Content
Watermelon radish is an unusual hybrid, somewhat similar to radish, bred in China. The variety has a good yield, it is little susceptible to diseases and pests, ripens quickly, and contains many vitamins. The main reason for the popularity of the variety was the intriguingly bright appearance of the root crop on the cut. Initially, it was used to decorate the table, decorate dishes and drinks, later the taste was appreciated.
Why is watermelon radish useful?
Watermelon radish is rich in vitamins B, C, PP and A. It contains a large amount of folic acid, iron, calcium, fluoride, magnesium, as well as dietary fiber necessary to normalize the digestive tract, proteins and sugar. Magnesium and calcium are important for blood vessels and heart. The presence of active enzymes and amino acids normalizes metabolic processes in the body, improves appetite, restores the immune system after winter.
The use of watermelon radish in large quantities is contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the kidneys, liver and digestive system. An irritated mucous membrane will certainly respond with acute pain.
Description of watermelon radish
Watermelon radish is a hybrid of radish and radish. Root crops are oblong or rounded with light green skin and unevenly colored raspberry pulp with small black seeds.
For radish, the root crops are large enough, about 8 cm in diameter and weighing 100-200 g. The rosette is erect with dark green, medium-sized leaves jagged along the edge. The scarlet pulp is juicy, slightly spicy. The taste is unusual: on the outside it is bitter, and the core of the root vegetable is sweet. The bitterness comes from the mustard oil under the skin. And the more its content in a vegetable, the more it tastes bitter. Compared to conventional radish varieties, it is harder and less crunchy.
Main characteristics
The variety is cold-resistant, withstands frosts down to -6 ºС. The growing season is short, with several harvests per season. The best temperature regime for growing watermelon radish is +23 ºС. The vegetable is moisture-loving - in insufficiently moistened soil, growth is inhibited, it shoots, and the roots become flabby.
As it ripens, the intensity of its flavor decreases. The shelf life is short, the energy value of the product is 20 kcal.
Yield
The yield of watermelon radish is high. If you follow the rules of cultivation, you can get about 10 kg from 1 sq. M. It takes 30 days from germination to full ripening of the root crop. Harvesting is necessary at the time of full technical maturity, in the evening or early in the morning, preferably in dry weather. After collecting the radish, it is left to dry in the beds until the end of the day.
Productivity largely depends on timely and high-quality irrigation. Violation of the water regime impairs germination, growth and quality of the crop. The largest yield of watermelon radish is harvested when sowing seeds in early July.
Advantages and disadvantages
Watermelon radish, like any other crop, has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Positive qualities include:
- cold resistance;
- high productivity;
- resistance to pests and diseases;
- friendly germination;
- rapid maturation of root crops;
- low calorie content.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- gradual loss of taste;
- short storage times.
Planting and care rules
In greenhouses, watermelon radish seeds can be planted from mid-March. It is very convenient to use egg boxes for sowing.
In open ground, sowing is carried out in May, when the ground warms up to + 8 + 15 ° С. And then in July and early August. To speed up the germination of seeds, it is necessary to soak them in cold water for a day. Large seeds are preferred.
Watermelon radish loves clay or sandy soils in well-lit, but slightly darkened areas with trees or shrubs, since it is a short-day crop. From a long stay in the sun, he goes to the arrow. If the beds for planting are on the sunny side, you need to artificially darken the plant.
The seedbed is prepared in the fall. The best precursors for watermelon radish are potatoes, tomatoes, or cucumbers. It is not recommended to sow it after carrots, beets or cabbage. Compost (10 liters per 1 square meter) and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, or 4 kg of manure, are added to the soil dug up on a shovel's bayonet, then the bed is mulched with sawdust or peat, and left until spring.
Two seeds are planted in a slightly damp ground, in a depression, keeping a distance of about 8 cm between adjacent holes. Watermelon radish does not tolerate dense plantings, therefore, it may wither, and root crops will turn out to be tasteless. When forming furrows, it is necessary to observe a distance of 10-15 cm. You need to deepen the seeds by 2 cm. If you deepen them more, they will germinate later. Having covered the holes with earth, and watered with water at room temperature, shoots can be expected in 3-4 days.
Growing features
Watermelon radishes are very picky about watering. The abundance and regularity of soil moisture is the key to a good and high-quality harvest. It is necessary to water it as it dries. To prevent the radish from drying out, on hot days it is advisable to water the beds twice - in the morning and in the evening. With frequent rains, moisturize 2 times a week. The last watering is carried out 5 hours before harvesting, then it will be stored longer.
Uneven irrigation will make the radish hollow, a lack of moisture will lead to arrowheading, a deterioration in taste and woodiness of the root crop, and fungal diseases will result from waterlogging of the soil.
At first, the shoots of watermelon radish must be loosened every 3-4 days, while removing weeds to provide oxygen to the roots. Later, the procedure is carried out after each watering. To retain moisture in the soil, it is advisable to mulch the cultivated land regularly. In addition, mulch will keep crops from overheating on hot days.
When sprouts with three true leaves appear, they must be thinned out, leaving the strongest ones.
An important point in the cultivation of watermelon radish is the obligatory shading of the culture, otherwise the root crops will be very bitter.
Pests and diseases
Watermelon radish is considered resistant to diseases and pests, but improper care and inappropriate soil can trigger keel, downy mildew and black leg. The first is caused by improper soil acidity. It is determined by the coarseness and ugliness of the root crop, the lack of taste in it. The second arises from an excess of moisture in the soil. Compliance with the irrigation regime and frequent loosening of the ridges will help prevent their appearance.
Of the pests, watermelon radish can infect:
- Wireworm - it damages root crops. If you weed the seedlings in a timely manner, then its appearance can be avoided, since the pest larvae live on the roots of the weeds.
- Cabbage fly and cruciferous flea feed on leaves and can cause significant damage to radishes at the end of the growing season. You can prevent their appearance by covering the crops before the formation of the first leaf with a covering material.An infusion of garlic, tomato tops and ash will help get rid of pests that have already settled on the foliage.
Cooking applications
Watermelon radish can be used to prepare various dishes: vegetable stews, meat and fish dishes, salads.
Both the root vegetable and its tops can be added to the salad. The vegetable is baked, stewed, fried, boiled, mashed, cold soups and okroshka made from it. Cream perfectly emphasizes its unusual taste. The low calorie content of watermelon radish allows it to be used in dietary recipes.
The brightness and beauty of the pulp is the main advantage of the vegetable. It is used for slicing, decorating cocktails, desserts, sandwiches. Sandwiches with watermelon radish sprinkled with black salt and sesame seeds look spectacular.
Conclusion
Watermelon radish cannot be called an unpretentious crop, but subject to the conditions of cultivation and care, it gives a large harvest. Its attractive bright pulp and specific taste lures gardeners to experiment. It is versatile in preparation, it can be a decoration of the table.
