Content
Planting and caring for daikon, planting dates are nuances that gardeners need to study before starting to grow a vegetable from Southeast Asia. Several domestic companies have been producing and selling seeds of this crop for a long time. Zoned varieties are planted by summer residents of different climatic zones. Daikon has many beneficial properties and is gradually finding its niche in garden plots.
When to plant daikon
An unpretentious vegetable from the Cruciferous family does not require too much care, but agricultural technology still has its own subtleties in its successful planting and cultivation. You should know when to plant daikon seeds in the ground. Daikon is a short-day crop. When exposed to sunlight for more than 12 hours, roots do not form and the plant produces flower stalks.
When to plant daikon in spring
As soon as the snow melts in early April and the soil becomes sufficiently dry, in the middle climate zone they begin to plant Japanese radish of zoned early varieties, which will ripen in 35-40 days. An undemanding and cold-resistant plant germinates even at 3-5 ° C, and will fully ripen by the time the days become longer. Seeds for seedlings are planted from the end of March to April 10.
Daikon planting dates in July
In the southern part of the country, summer planting of daikon is the best, because in the spring the crop usually bolts. In the middle zone, they also practice summer sowing of early varieties of daikon, which have time to ripen before frost. Seeds are planted in the south from late July to mid-August, in temperate and harsh climates - in the first half of July, even in the last ten days of June.
Is it possible to plant daikon before winter?
The frost-resistant seeds of this hardy crop usually germinate in early spring after winter planting. This method is favorable for areas of the south, where the short cool spring period quickly turns into hot days. Plant seeds in late autumn, before frost. Experienced gardeners prepare the holes in advance, then place the grains in the already frozen ground, sprinkled with stored soil. A bucket of earth is enough, which is placed under a canopy so that the soil does not get exposed to rain and does not freeze. Before winter, the sown daikon is covered with mulch of peat, leaves, and humus. After the snow melts, the mulch is removed so that the sprouts can develop freely.
When to plant daikon in the Moscow region
Growing daikon in open ground in the Moscow region begins either in early spring, when the air warms up to + 5 °C, or in mid-summer.Moreover, the latter period is more preferable for harvesting a good harvest of tasty root vegetables for autumn and winter. When planting in spring, when daylight hours from April lengthen to 14 hours, there is a chance of getting unripe fruits. Sweet radishes will have to be pulled out urgently to prevent mass flowering. When planting daikon in the Moscow region in the spring, varieties that are resistant to bolting are selected, or the sowing of seeds is postponed until the summer.
In the middle zone, daikon is planted no earlier than mid-June. While the seeds sprout, the longest days will subside, and the crop will develop successfully. In Siberia and the Urals, where spring comes late, sweet radish should be planted only in the summer, from the beginning of July, choosing early or mid-season zoned varieties.
Planting and caring for daikon in open ground
For one's own needs, useful crops are often grown in gardens rather than in greenhouses. Daikon radish is planted according to the climate zone in early spring or summer.
What are the ways to grow daikon?
Daikon radish is planted in the summer directly from seeds in a garden plot or seedlings are first grown. The sprouts are hardy and develop normally in open ground and at temperatures below + 10 °C. In such conditions, root crops planted in early spring have time to ripen without throwing away flower stalks. Round shaped varieties are often grown as seedlings to get an early harvest. Daikon with elongated root crops does not tolerate transplantation, so these varieties are planted directly on the plot or in greenhouse soil.
Choosing the right variety and preparing seeds
The best known for planting in our conditions are the early ripening daikon varieties of the Minowashi group. Root crops are long, up to 40-50 cm, with a diameter of up to 8 cm. Three-quarters of the size is immersed in the soil. It is better to plant such varieties in loose sandy loam.
You can find seeds of Japanese hybrids from the following groups:
- Miyashige, 30-50 cm long, buried half the length into the soil;
- Shogoin – rounded root crops with a diameter of 15 cm, growing on clay soils;
- Sirogari – early ripe cylindrical fruits up to 20-30 cm, extending into the soil two-thirds of the length;
- Kameida – short conical roots up to 15 cm, which are immersed in light soil by two-thirds of the size;
- Nineigo – varieties resistant to flowering and frost have elongated fruits, up to 45-60 cm, with a diameter of 4-6 cm, and grow entirely in loose soil.
Gardeners prefer to plant daikon varieties from domestic producers - the companies Gavrish, Aelita, Altai Seeds, which were bred taking into account local conditions:
- Moscow hero
- Fairy
- Favorite
Zoned varieties of daikon:
- Sasha – rounded but uneven root crops of an early-ripening, shoot-resistant variety, the seeds of which are suitable for planting in spring in vegetable gardens and greenhouses;
- Dragon, Bludgeon, Flamingo – cylindrical fruits that are planted in summer;
- Elephant Tusk – intended for planting in the southern regions of Russia.
Hybrids from the Japanese company Sakata have also proven themselves well for planting in the middle zone.
Any seeds are soaked for rapid germination:
- Place the grains in a gauze bag for 30 minutes in hot water at a temperature of 48-49 °C.
- Then place the seeds for planting in cold water for 1-2 minutes.
- Place in the container in the refrigerator for 20-24 hours.
How to grow daikon seedlings
When daikon seedlings are grown, the seeds are planted from mid-March to April 10. Containers with a depth of 10-12 cm are suitable for planting sweet radish. The plant has long roots that will reach the bottom of the container within a month of development. For the substrate, prepare garden soil with some peat or use peat tablets. The soaked seeds are planted 1-2 in pots, deepening by 1.5-2 cm. The substrate is watered and covered with film, creating a comfortable atmosphere for seedlings. Sprouts appear in a week or less.
The soil is watered moderately, after creating 2 true leaves, the weak sprout is removed from the cell. At this time, the seedlings are fed with special complex fertilizers for root crops. After 15-18 days of development, daikon seedlings begin to be hardened by taking them out into the air, into the shade, first for a short period. For the last 2-3 days before planting, the seedlings are left outside and overnight.
The seedlings are transferred into holes at a temperature of 10 °C. For successful cultivation and care of daikon in open ground, adhere to the correct spacing when planting: 40-60 cm between rows, 20-30 cm between holes. Varieties with large root crops and lush tops are provided with more space.
How to grow daikon in open ground
The main thing in the technology for properly planting sweet Japanese radish and caring for it is selecting a sunny area with loose and light soil and neutral acidity. If the pH value is below 6 units, the soil is deoxidized in advance, in the fall of the previous year, by adding lime or dolomite flour. Horse manure is also a good remedy for this purpose.For the daikon plantings themselves, no manure is used, feeding the soil a year in advance.
Seeds are placed in moistened furrows to a depth of 2 cm in summer, and 3 cm when sowing in spring. The soil is trampled down and mulched with mowed grass so that the summer sun does not quickly dry out the soil. A week later there are already shoots, they are watered in the evenings with warm water, and later thinned out. Regularly deleted weeds and loosen the rows. Spring seedlings are covered at night when there is a threat of frost. As the root crops grow, they are periodically hilled up.
Fertilize daikon plantings 2 times:
- when 2-4 pairs of leaves are created, water the row spacing with a solution of 60 g of azofoska or other complex preparation in a bucket of water;
- in the phase of root formation, support with a mixture of 30 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium salt diluted in 10 liters of water.
Technology for growing daikon in a greenhouse
Indoors, Japanese radish is planted by gardeners in more severe climatic regions, in Siberia and the Urals. The best time to plant daikon for a greenhouse is the end of March, and for autumn harvesting - the end of July, the first days of August. After 3 weeks, the sprouts are transferred for some time every day to a permanent place to get used to the development conditions. Experienced summer residents enrich the soil six months before planting: add a bucket of humus and 30 g of superphosphate per 1 square meter. m. Radish, which is planted in the summer, ripens until mid or late October. Gives up to 10 kg of yield per square meter. Feeding is the same as for open ground. It is often more convenient to use complex products.
Planting daikon seeds before winter
In the southern regions, Japanese radish is planted in late autumn, often on frozen ground, where furrows have been prepared in advance. This technique is also suitable for areas of the middle climate zone.Only the timing of planting daikon radish differs; the planting technology and care are the same. The seeds are placed at a depth of 3 cm, sprinkled with soil, mulched with leaves, peat, hay in a 4-5 cm layer. Shoots in the spring are friendly and give an early harvest.
Diseases and pests of daikon and their control
Japanese radishes suffer from fungal, bacterial and viral infections, partly due to improper care. Plants should be planted without crowding, thinned out in a timely manner, and weeds should be removed where pests develop and transmit pathogens. With excessive watering, the crop may suffer from mucous bacteriosis, and in the seedling phase, from blackleg. Biological products “Planriz” and “Binoram” are effective. Specimens with signs of clubroot or mosaic are removed from the area by pouring potassium permanganate or fungicide onto the empty hole.
The delicate leaves of daikon are attractive to many pests: cruciferous flea beetle, cabbage fly, bedbugs, aphids and others. When seedlings appear, the plants are treated with:
- hot red pepper powder or infusion;
- a solution of 500 ml of vinegar in 10 liters of water;
- water the plants at the roots with a solution of potassium permanganate to destroy the fly larvae;
- sprinkle the sprouts and the soil around them with wood ash, which protects against insects and slugs.
An infusion of pepper is prepared from 5 large pods, which are infused for 12-14 hours, and then diluted in a bucket of water and sprayed on the leaves.
What can you plant after daikon?
Just as Japanese radish is not planted after other cruciferous vegetables - cabbage of any kind or radishes, it is also not recommended to place these crops after daikon.Plants have the same diseases and pests, which after hibernation will parasitize new plantings. It is allowed to occupy the plot with any other garden crops.
Is it possible to plant daikon after daikon?
Secondary planting of sweet radish in the same place is strictly not recommended. Even in a small garden it is necessary to observe crop rotation.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for daikon, planting dates are important features for obtaining a bountiful harvest of healthy root crops. Growing the crop is not difficult, but the subtleties are important, on which the harvest depends.
