What is radish? Description, photos, growing instructions

Radish is a vegetable that is known and very loved throughout the territory of western and central Russia.

Its popularity is due to the relative simplicity of cultivation, taste and benefits for the body.

This article describes in detail the features of radish, describes the varieties of root crops and the features of its cultivation.

What it is and what it looks like: a botanical description and a photo

Radish (or radish) is a plant that is grown as a vegetable. The radish is an edible vegetable and belongs to the sowing radish. Basically, root tubers (root crops) are used, less commonly, tops.

Appearance depends on the variety of culture. Most common with a round root crop, expressed in red or pink, with a white or whitish halo around the root and the root itself. The reference size of a root crop is considered to be 2.5 centimeters in diameter for a round root crop and 3-3.5 centimeters for a plant with an oblong root crop.

Not everyone knows which botanical family the radish belongs to. Meanwhile, the vegetable belongs to an annual cross-pollinating plant from the cabbage family.

It consists of the main accumulating organ - the root crop, which is the fruit of the plant. The type of fetus itself is siliculose. The tops of the plant are of the rosette type. The root system refers to the core, with deep penetration into the soil. The radish inflorescence is in the form of a brush, one-color or two-tone, with white color less often purple or light coffee.

The biological features of radish are:

• Special light need - radish is a plant of "long day". For the correct formation of the fetus, a light (natural or artificial) day is required for at least 10 hours.
• Moisture requirement - watering and humidification should be systemic in nature, excessive soil moisture and variable humidity are not allowed. Violation of agricultural cultivation leads to a deterioration in taste, sagging of the fetus and a decrease in its size.
• The need for bait - if the soil is rich in humus, then there is no urgent need for bait. However, for timely technical ripening, it is recommended to use natural fertilizers.

Now you know everything about the radish, including which plant it is - a fruit or a vegetable, a root crop or not, and which fruits it has. Below in the photo you can see how the culture looks in the garden.

History of Origin and Place of Origin

In Russia, a red vegetable appeared with the return of Peter the Great from Europe, which is considered the birthplace of radish. And there the greatest distribution of radish was on French territory, but the appearance and taste were more like a radish. In the Russian Empire, selective breeding of the plant began, and already in the 19th century the radish acquired the form in which you know it now.

Chemical composition

There are only 20 kilocalories per 100 grams of product:

• Proteins - 1.2 g.
• Fats - 0.1 g.
• Carbons - 3.4 g.
• Water - 94 g.
• Fiber - 1.6 g.

The composition includes organic acids. Contains a significant amount of vitamin:

• IN 2;
• AT 5;
• AT 6;
• FROM.

What is eaten in radish - tops or root crops?

Root crops are traditionally used as food, both in a form that has been peeled from a thin peel, and unpeeled. Leaves are used in salads and some types of hot dishes., mixed with other types of herbs making vitamin sets. Roots are an inedible part, they are traditionally cleaned and are not eaten.

Varieties and types of culture

There are only about 42 varieties of radish. Consider the most popular:

Radishes will be divided into such types:

• The fruit is round or oblong.
• Color red, white, yellow, pink, black, purple.
• By maturation rate (early / mid / late ripening).
• If possible, eat the tops in food.
• Suitable for planting in open ground or for a greenhouse.

Step-by-step instructions for growing

1. The most important step will be to choose the variety that you want to see on your beds. It is worth taking into account the speed of ripening, the type and taste of the variety.
2. It is necessary to determine the placement of radish beds. It is worth considering the correct neighborhood and what was planted in front of the radish in the selected area.
3. Preliminary preparation should concern two things - seeds and the earth. Seeds must be calibrated before planting. This means selecting the largest and without mechanical damage. Soak the selected seeds in water or under a wet towel for 2-3 days. It is necessary to dig up the earth, clean it from the roots, and feed it with natural fertilizers. You can use for example:
   • crushed eggshell;
   • wood ash;
   • humus (based on the floor bucket per 2 square meters).
4. Sow the selected area with seeds.
5. Arrange systematic watering and sufficient humidity. For this, a metal bowl with a low side is placed near the garden bed. The bowl is filled with water and left until the end of the harvest.

   With increased aridity, it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering, however, strictly monitor that the plants do not begin to rot.

6. Harvest according to the norms of the planted variety.

The seeding rate per 1 ha of 15 kilograms of seeds of the variety with a long root crop and 20 kilograms of round. With this sowing in open ground, the yield rate from 1 ha for a long root crop is 200 kilograms, for a round root - 250 kilograms.

Diseases and Pests

Interesting Facts

1. With the overripe fetus, teenage acne can be removed. To do this, cut one fruit into 4 parts and attach to the problem areas for 5-10 minutes. The procedure should take place daily, for 4-5 days.
2. Radishes should not be used for people with heartburn and flatulence.
3. A small number of calories in a radish will interest people who are trying to lose weight. And the property of the tops to negative calorie content (the body spends more callas to process the product than it is contained in) makes it an ideal choice for diet food.
4. Most of the population of our country is experiencing a pronounced deficiency of iodine, so radishes are recommended for almost all adults, and especially children. Iodine, which is in the radish, improves memory and attention, which has a positive effect on the performance and behavior of children in schools. In many schools, radish is a part of salads year-round.
5. Radish was chosen as one of the first vegetables grown in space stations. It turned out that this plant grows well in zero gravity and delivers “living” vitamins to the astronaut’s table almost uninterruptedly.

How to give a vegetable to various animals?

A large part of pets is useful to add root crops and tops. For example, it is useful for dogs to feed 4-5 "radish" several times a week. Rabbits are useful in the diet of radish tops, and root crops can be fed to domestic rats.

The proper use of agricultural crops for radishes will significantly increase productivity and preserve the strength of the gardener. Radish, like any vegetable, needs care, patience and a rational approach to growing.

Watch the video: How to grow & harvest Diakon & White Icile radish (May 2024).