Raddish, Japanese Minowase [Diakon]
Radish, Japanese Minowase (Diakon)
Heirloom. Organic Popular old Japanese favorite; the giant white roots grow to 24 inches long and 3 inches wide. Sweet and very crisp, this radish is a delight pickled, stir-fried, steamed or raw. Daikon, or Asian radishes, are root crops harvested in fall. Much longer-lasting than spring radishes, they can easily be stored over winter. If they are planted too early, they may flower instead of developing their vegetable root--they need colder weather and shorter days. Easy to grow--just direct-sow, thinning the seedlings to 1 to 2 inches apart as soon as they emerge. Radishes grow best in cool, moist weather (50 - 65F). Late plantings may bolt before edible root forms, and hot weather reduces quality and increases pungency. Direct seed 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) deep, 1 inch apart, in rows 12 inches apart about 3 to 6 weeks before average last frost. Thin to about 2-inch spacings, as crowded plants may not produce high-quality roots. Thinnings, both root and greens, can be used as salad. Gardeners often use quick-germinating radish to mark rows where other slower germinating seeds are planted. Make additional plantings every 1 - 2 weeks until temperatures average in the mid 60s F (16C) for continuous harvest, or plant varieties with different maturity dates in a single planting. When weather cools in fall, resume planting. Winter crops should be planted so that they mature around the first fall frost date, as frost improves flavor and texture. For uninterrupted growth and best quality, keep soil moist and with little nitrogen fertilizer or manure. Radishes are good neighbors for carrots, parsnip, parsley and other slow-germinating crops, since they help to break soil crust for the weaker and later-germinating crops. Due to their fast maturity rate, radishes are good intercrops along with cabbage, tomato or squash family groups.
Planting Japanese Minowase (Diakon)Radish
While starting seeds of the Japanese Minowase (Diakon) Radish is not necessarily difficult, the right conditions will make the process successful. Sow Japanese Minowase (Diakon) Radish seeds directly in the ground in the spring when the threat of frost has passed or grow in containers. Keep the ground moist but not wet for the first couple of weeks. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for planting for the best performance. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Heirloom / Open Pollinated Japanese Minowase (Diakon) Radish are cool weather loving plants that prefer well drained loose soil and an even amount of water. Plant heirloom Japanese Minowase (Diakon) Radish in rows or hills but make sure the soil is well warmed. You can grow Japanese Minowase (Diakon) Radish seeds in garden containers or pots.
Height: 12-24 inch Plants Spacing: 1-2" inches, thin to 3” if necessary
Spacing between rows—12-15”
Depth: 1/4 inch Germination: 5-10 days
Starting from Seed Indoors. I would not start these indoors. The growing cycle is about 3-6 weeks. You can grow crops of these during the Spring and Fall in a normal growing season. I will plant this crop until late in the fall or early in the spring.
Direct-seeding into the Garden.
Turn over the area you've selected to a depth of approximately 1/2 inches. Rake the area until it's level and smooth. Water the area until the soil is damp but not saturated. Scatter the seeds in a row. Gently rake the area to distribute the seeds further and protect them from birds. Or, press the seeds into the soil and cover with no more than 1/4 inches of soil. You can also place 1 to 2 seeds every to 2-3 inches in rows approximately 12-15 inches apart, and cover seeds with 1/4 inches of soil. Place planting stakes around the area so you will know where to water. Check on your seeds about once a day. Make sure to mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Germination for the Radish plants is approximately 5 to 10 days, depending on the warmth of the soil.
Germination Problems
Growing plants from seeds successfully depends on a lot of factors and this makes it impossible to guarantee success on every batch of seeds planted. Factors include, soil composition, PH, temperature, moisture levels, seed depth, soil density, seed viability, seed storage and many others. We tested the germination of all our seeds and this seed variety is around 80%, but your results may vary based on exactly how you plant and all the environmental factors. Good luck.