Red giant radish: description, photos, reviews

Red Giant radish is a variety whose distinctive feature is the elongated cylindrical shape of the root crops, like carrots, and their impressive size. The radish pulp is sweet, dense, without voids. The variety was developed by the Far Eastern Experimental Station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing. Red giant radishes can be planted both in open and protected ground. Root vegetables are consumed fresh, as an independent dish, and also used for preparing snacks and salads.

Description of Red Giant radish

Radish Red Giant is a mid-season, cold-resistant, high-yielding variety for spring and autumn cultivation. Suitable for greenhouse, film and soil cultivation. The variety is resistant to most radish diseases, in particular to flowering. The root vegetables are large, with juicy, long-lasting pulp.

Main characteristics

Productivity

The ripening period for radishes of the “Red Giant” variety is 40-50 days from germination to technical maturity. The commercial yield of the variety is high, on average 2.5-4.3 kg/m2. To obtain a decent harvest for this garden crop, it is necessary to provide sufficient levels of light and humidity. Crop rotation is also an important factor.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Red Giant radish variety has a number of advantages, among which are the following:

• cold resistance;
• ability to germinate at low temperatures;
• high productivity;
• resistance to shooting;
• keeping quality;
• resistance to flowering and damage by cruciferous flea beetles.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• long ripening period;
• average resistance to some types of diseases and pests.

Rules for planting and care

The Red Giant variety belongs to the group of plants with long daylight hours. Accordingly, when the day length is more than 14 hours, the radishes begin to bolt. Instead of root crops, plants grow green mass, quickly bloom and form seeds. Therefore, at the very peak of the summer season it will not be possible to grow a good harvest.

To obtain root crops, seeds should be sown in such a way that the plants grow and develop in a short photoperiod. Based on this, the best time for planting would be early spring or late summer.

The main care for Red Giant radish consists of timely implementation of such agrotechnical measures as:

• watering;
• loosening;
• thinning;
• feeding

Recommended timing

When growing Red Giant radish in open ground, seeds can be sown several times a season.

The following planting dates are recommended:

1. At the very beginning of spring. Spring planting begins immediately after the snow melts. To obtain the earliest possible harvest, you can use shelters - greenhouses and greenhouses.
2. Late May, early June. You can set aside for crops those beds where lettuce or onions grew in the spring.
3. At the beginning of July.
4. Late summer, early autumn (August-September).

But, do not forget that under unfavorable weather conditions in the spring-winter period, plants sown before winter can simply bloom without setting root crops.

When growing Red Giant radishes (pictured) in closed ground (greenhouses and greenhouses), it is recommended to sow seeds during the following periods:

• February-April;
• August-November.

Selecting a location and preparing beds

The red giant is a cold-resistant variety, so when planting in spring, you don’t have to allocate a separate bed for it. Radishes may simply act as a precursor for more heat-loving crops. Before the time comes for planting them in the ground, the radishes will have time to ripen. The main thing is that the area is well lit in the morning and evening. At lunchtime, the sun is contraindicated, as it will provoke excessive growth of tops.

The Red Giant radish prefers sandy loam, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-7.0). It must be loose, otherwise the root vegetables may crack. The soil for spring planting is prepared in the fall by adding decomposed compost and humus. Mineral fertilizers are also added - superphosphate, potassium salt. Then the bed is leveled with a rake.

Autumn radishes of the Red Giant variety are grown mainly in repeated plantings. In this case, they begin to prepare the soil immediately after harvesting the predecessor.

Landing algorithm

Red radish Giant, judging by the photo, is a large-fruited variety that is recommended to be sown according to the following scheme:

The sowing rate for radish seeds is 1.0-1.2 g/m2 (in 1 g – 110-130 pcs.). Summer sowings, unlike spring sowings, require more light during the day, so sowing should be done more sparser. It is recommended to soak the planting material for 12 hours before sowing.Planting is best done in cool, damp weather.

Step by step planting process:

1. Make grooves and compact their bottom.
2. Spill with water.
3. Spread the seeds.
4. Fill the grooves with soil.

The depth of planting the seeds is 1.5-2.5 cm. Excessive deepening can cause deformation of the root crops.

Features of cultivation

The optimal air temperature for growing radishes is 16-20 °C. Moreover, the formation of root crops can occur even at 12-14 °C. The Red Giant variety does not like shade or dense plantings.

When growing autumn radishes, special attention should be paid to soil moisture. In early spring, there is usually enough soil moisture for the full development and growth of Red Giant radishes. In summer and autumn, a lack of water in the soil can lead to the formation of rough, bitter and dry fruits. Changes in humidity provoke the formation of constrictions on root crops.

Watering

Radish variety Red Giant needs regular but moderate watering. If there is insufficient moisture, root vegetables will grow hollow, dry and have a sharp taste. Whereas if there is an excess of moisture, they can simply rot. Therefore, the supply of moisture to the soil must be regulated and dosed.

Early and premature flowering can be prevented by watering no more than 2-3 times a week, in small portions. Thus, the ground temperature will decrease.It is important to monitor the humidity level, watering the beds as they dry out. In hot weather, daily watering may be necessary. Radish variety Red Giant has a highly developed root system, which should be taken into account when watering.

You can water radishes with clean water, herbal infusions, solutions of ash and tobacco. It is preferable to combine watering with preventive treatment of the soil against pests and diseases. The plants are watered for the last time a few hours before harvesting, which will allow the fruits to be stored longer and remain juicy.

Thinning

Basically, when sowing Red Giant radish, the frequent sowing method is used. Thus, germination increases, it is easier for sprouts to break through and they are not drowned out by weeds. As a result, crops often come out thickened. Seedlings begin to fight among themselves for water, light and nutrients necessary for full development. As a result, root crops grow small and deformed.

Therefore, crops require subsequent thinning, which is carried out at least twice per season:

1. 5 days after emergence, so that the sprouts do not stretch due to shading. At the same time, the leaves take a horizontal position, which prevents bolting. The optimal interval between sprouts should be 2-3 cm.
2. 1 month after sowing. The distance between seedlings should be at least 5-6 cm. At the same time, it is recommended to weed the beds to remove weeds and improve aeration.

Basic Rules:

1. Thinning is carried out in the evening, after watering.
2. Hold the soil around the sprout with one hand, and pull it out of the ground with the other.
3. After thinning, the soil must be compacted.
4. Crops must be watered.

Top dressing

You should feed the Red Giant radish with caution, as root vegetables have the ability to accumulate nitrates. Particular care should be taken when handling chemicals.

The main application of fertilizers is carried out in the fall. While digging, organic fertilizers are added to the soil. In the spring, just before planting, a mineral complex is added.

Fertile soils do not need organic fertilizers. The deposits made in the fall of the previous year will be sufficient. If necessary, a mineral complex can be added to the soil.

Composition (per 1 m2):

• superphosphate – 30-40 g;
• ammonium nitrate – 30-40 g;
• potassium salt – 40 g.

On poor soils apply (per 1 m2):

• humus or compost - 1 bucket;
• garden mixture – 40 g.

Pests and diseases

Red giant radishes are affected by the same pests and diseases as other cruciferous crops.

Conclusion

You can plant Red Giant radishes in spring and summer, thereby obtaining quite large, tasty and healthy root crops. The variety is universal and quite unpretentious in care. It is popular among gardeners due to its excellent commercial qualities, high yields and suitability for long-term storage.

Reviews

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