Content
Diego radish is one of the most common varieties of this crop, which is known to Europeans even before the appearance of potatoes. The vegetable is distinguished not only by its taste, but also by its ease of growing.
Description of the Diego radish variety
Diego radish is a hybrid early maturing Dutch variety that can be easily grown not only in greenhouses, but also outdoors. The F1 marking indicates that the variety is hybrid, and, therefore, more resistant to various diseases. Therefore, an increasing number of gardeners are choosing this species for cultivation in their plots.
Main characteristics
Diego is a radish variety that has very large roots, the size of which reaches 5 cm in diameter, and the weight varies within 60 g. Root vegetables, painted in bright red, almost burgundy, differ in their taste:
- juiciness;
- lack of bitter taste;
- white pulp;
- nice crunch.
Yield
Diego F1 radish, according to reviews, is a high-yielding variety. The germination rate is 99%, and even unfavorable weather conditions do not have a special effect on the yield. Therefore, the amount of the harvested crop depends entirely on the scale of planting of this vegetable.
No less important is the fact that Diego belongs to early ripening varieties: from the moment of sowing and harvesting, only 20 - 30 days pass.
Advantages and disadvantages
Understanding gardeners know that each plant has its merits and demerits. The disadvantages of the Diego variety can be attributed only to the fact that vegetable seeds are slightly more expensive than varietal seeds. Otherwise, Diego has only positive qualities:
- cold resistance;
- unpretentious cultivation;
- short ripening period;
- high productivity;
- the possibility of long-term storage;
- the content of numerous vitamins;
- lack of emptiness in the root crop;
- resistance to pests and pathologies;
- the ability to adapt to climatic features.
Planting and care rules
In order to harvest a good harvest of radish, it must be properly planted. Diego's planting algorithm is not fundamentally different from planting any other varieties of radish, so any novice summer resident can cope with this process.
Recommended timing
You can plant Diego radishes throughout the summer. The first sowing, as a rule, is carried out already in April (you can plant it earlier, but under a cover made of film).
The second sowing is carried out in June, and then - as needed and depending on climatic conditions. In regions with dry and hot summers, it is not recommended to plant radishes in the last months of the season if there is no way to shelter the plantings from the sun.
Site selection and preparation of beds
For any type of radish, including Diego, the planting site must meet the following criteria:
- illumination - radishes will not grow in constant shade;
- lack of stagnant water;
- fertile soil rich in phosphorus.
The beds for Diego radish must be prepared in advance. Radish prefers light soils with neutral acidity. If the soil is heavy on the site, then it is necessary to add neutral peat, sand and compost even before sowing the seeds. On soils with high acidity, liming is carried out, and the pH level can be reduced by adding ordinary wood ash to the soil.
On prepared and fertilized beds, it is necessary to make several grooves so that an interval of 10-15 cm remains between them. If the planting is too thick, then the vegetable will grow slowly, and its fruits will become small. To cultivate the grooves, you can use a narrow board: this way they will turn out not only even, but also the lower part of them will be compacted. This is necessary so that the seeds are not buried more than 1.5 cm.
Landing algorithm
On prepared beds, radishes are sown as rarely as possible, otherwise the young shoots will have to be thinned out. Since the seeds of the Diego radish do not need to be presoaked, you can use a special device - a spot seeder.
Further actions:
- I pour a thin layer of soil over the seeds, which needs to be tamped a little.
- It is recommended to pour a small layer of peat or sand mixed with ash on top.
- The last step is to water the radish abundantly.
Growing features
To get a high yield when planting the Diego variety, you need to responsibly approach its cultivation. You will not have to make special efforts: the main thing is to follow the basic recommendations that relate to watering and feeding the plant.
Watering
Radish is a moisture-loving crop. Therefore, immediately after sowing, the vegetable must be provided with a sufficient amount of moisture.
In the first two weeks, watering should be carried out regularly, as the soil dries up. It is best to determine this empirically, since the frequency and amount of irrigations may vary in each specific region.
After the roots begin to form, watering can be reduced. At this time, it is important to prevent stagnation of water in the soil so that the vegetables do not crack.
Thinning
Careful thinning of the fruit will also help to ensure a high yield. If the plantings are too dense, then the root crops will have little free space for growth and development, which will lead to their deformation and reduction in size. It is best to keep an interval of 7-10 cm between seedlings.
Top dressing
Diego is a radish variety that does not tolerate fresh organic matter. Therefore, the soil must be fertilized with humus at the stage of preparing the beds.
Mineral complexes are ideal fertilizers. It is they who are advised to bring in at the time of the formation of root crops or in the process of preparing the beds for planting.
Pests and diseases
Diego is a radish variety that is not afraid of many diseases common for this culture. The only thing that can affect the plant is rot. But it occurs only in cases where there is a constant stagnation of moisture in the soil.
Among the pests that can attack Diego radishes, reviews note cruciferous fleas, bedbugs and cabbage pests. But all of them will not harm the plant if the culture is treated with an infusion of garlic, sprinkled on the ground with ground pepper or powdered mustard.
If radish nevertheless has such problems as underdevelopment of fruits, early shooting or flowering, then the reason should be sought in other unfavorable factors, for example:
- freezing - relevant for a crop planted before the soil warms up;
- lack of moisture for a long time;
- excess sunlight (more than 10 hours a day) or lack of it;
- thickened plantings that were not thinned out in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Diego radish is a root vegetable variety that amazes with its taste, fast and uniform germination, ease of care and balance of nutrients and vitamins. Therefore, the hybrid is gaining more and more popularity every year among avid summer residents and novice gardeners.
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