Watermelon radish: hybrid features and cultivation technology

Description of the variety

Radish is a fairly popular plant today, common among gardeners. The root crop belongs to the Cruciferous, like the well-known cabbage. Many countries around the world are cultivating the culture to use its delicious root in the preparation of various dishes.

In our country, usually annual and European varieties of root crops are used. Its specific taste and aroma determines the presence of mustard oil in the fruit.

Depending on the place of origin, the plant is divided into groups:

• European;
• Japanese;
• Chinese.

Vegetable fruits have different shapes and colors. The root crop can be either round, flattened at the base, or resemble externally a spindle. The color of the fruit is also different: pink, white, red, yellow and even purple. There are frequent cases when the color of a radish consists of several colors at once.

Radish was even grown on the International Space Station to better understand its genetic makeup. It would be superfluous to say that not every plant is subjected to such experiments.

In the past few years, the number of gardeners choosing to grow hybrids has increased. There are many explanations for this phenomenon. Hybrids differ from ordinary plants in unpretentiousness in cultivation, care, give a good harvest and have an unusual, interesting appearance. The most popular artificially produced vegetable is the watermelon radish.

The appearance of the watermelon radish hybrid is unusual. It resembles a favorite large berry not in size, but in color. As for the size, the root crop is small, about 0.08 meters. On the outside, the root vegetable is white-green, which cannot be said by cutting the vegetable. After all, the pulp of the radish is bright pink, and, often, purple-scarlet.

A remarkable characteristic of the vegetable is that, in comparison with other varieties of culture, the hybrid is not so solid, but it also has less juice. The flavor of the root vegetable intensifies depending on the stage of ripeness. However, even a fully ripe vegetable is characterized by the bitterness of the outer skin and the sweet taste of the fruit pulp.

The energy value and the presence of minerals of the watermelon vegetable are similar to other varieties of the crop. The root vegetable contains sodium, calcium, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus, iron, vitamins of group B, A, C. The vegetable contains nicotinic and salicylic acids. Also, the vegetable is considered useful because of its high potassium content.

This hybrid is used in cooking. After all, the root vegetable is an ingredient in various dishes. It is also used as a side dish, as well as a vegetable can be stewed, baked and even fried.

Peeled radish is added to salads, and the specific, but at the same time beautiful, appearance allows the vegetable to be a decoration for cocktails. The "dessert" looks beautiful in the form of sliced ​​vegetable pieces sprinkled with dark sesame seeds.

Since ancient times, the root crop has been used as a vegetable. An ingredient in various dishes is not only the root vegetable, but also its leaves. They are added to liquid dishes, soups and even okroshka.

The watermelon hybrid is also valuable because of its early maturity. In regions with a temperate climate, it can be sown in greenhouses or greenhouses as early as the end of March. And the first crop in greenhouse conditions can be harvested in April.

The high content of vitamins and nutrients in the plant, as well as the ability to get the first harvest in the shortest possible time are factors that determine the popularity of the crop among gardeners. Radish is especially often grown where, at the end of a long and cold winter, it becomes necessary to increase one's own immunity and normalize metabolic processes in a short period of time.

The culture is also used to indicate the seed line for carrots and onions.

Features of agricultural technology

You can grow radishes using seeds, since the culture belongs to the sowing type of root crop. Any variety has a short development cycle, so it can be harvested several times per season.

To grow a high-quality and beautiful vegetable, it is necessary, first of all, to prepare the soil properly. In the fall, it is worth nourishing the earth with humus, phosphorus and potassium. Both the lack of nutrients and their excess are harmful to the vegetable. The soil should be "airy", which can be achieved by periodic loosening. You cannot grow a vegetable in areas where cabbage or its relative, radish, previously grew.

It is better to sow seeds at the end of May, since it is during this period that the soil is sufficiently warmed up, and its moisture level is optimal.

It is not worth deepening the seed into the ground by more than 2 centimeters. But the distances between individuals and beds must be carefully considered.

Hybrid care involves, first of all, weeding and systematic watering. The root crop is very susceptible to water, therefore, its deficiency provokes a slowdown in the formation of radish and a deterioration in its taste. Also, in conditions of a lack of moisture, the flowering of the culture may begin earlier than the set time.

Long daylight hours can lead to shallowness and bitterness of root crops, therefore, in sunny regions, it is necessary to cover the plantings with a thin dark cellophane film.

To collect juicy and even root crops, it is enough to soak the seed in water before planting and allow it to germinate.

The first crop sprouts appear a couple of days after sowing. The process of forming a large and even root crop takes about a month.

Hybrid diseases

Radish can be exposed to various diseases in case of non-observance of the basic rules of agricultural technology and violation of the process itself.

If a vegetable grows in soil with a high acidity level, then it may be attacked by a viral keel. Due to the disease, growths will appear on the root crop, and it will not be possible to use it.

When warm spring days set in, the vegetable can be attacked by pests. Defeating cabbage flies and cruciferous fleas will help treat the leaves with tincture of garlic or wood ash.

A good preventive measure is sprinkling and systematic loosening of the soil between the beds, which will saturate the soil with air and avoid drying out the green parts of the crop.

An excess of dampness, that is, increased moisture in the soil and air, has an extremely negative effect on the watermelon hybrid. Therefore, in rainy regions, the root crop is best grown in greenhouses or hotbeds.

So, the watermelon-type radish is a popular hybrid today. The root crop has largely earned the love of gardeners with its unusual appearance and sweet taste of the fruit. The vegetable is used for various purposes: as a medicine, as an ingredient in various dishes, and even for decorating cocktails. Due to its artificial origin, watermelon radish is unpretentious in care, and it does not need to create special conditions for growth. All this made the hybrid popular among gardeners around the world and in demand on the tables of various countries.

Video "Watermelon radish salad"

In this video you will find a recipe for a healthy and delicious watermelon radish and apple salad.