Watermelon radish: benefits and harm, description of the properties of the variety with photos

Gardeners surprise neighbors and friends with watermelon radishes. This is an unusual root vegetable. It combines sweet taste and spicy bitterness.

Content

Varietal description
Selecting and planting seeds
Soil preparation
Landing dates
Care: watering, fertilizing
Hybrid diseases
Pests
Benefits and harms
Watermelon radish dishes
Watermelon radish salad

The appearance of the radish is also amazing. The pale green skin hides the flesh, which ranges from lemon yellow to purple. Gardeners celebrate beneficial properties of watermelon a vegetable that, when used regularly, strengthens the immune system.

Varietal description

Watermelon root crop is a hybrid. Under natural conditions, such a curiosity does not grow. General description:

belongs to the cruciferous family;
size up to 8 cm;
shape: from round, slightly elongated downwards, to spindle-shaped;
the skin is dense;
skin color – light green;
pulp color: lemon yellow, pink, bright scarlet or purple;
the color of the pulp is uneven;
the pulp is less juicy than traditional radish;
taste: sweet (near the pulp), bitter and pungent (near the skin);
the contrast of pungency and sweetness smooths out as it ripens;
The ripening period is 30 days from germination to the suitability of root crops for food.

The root crop tolerates transportation well. But gardeners are upset by the short shelf life: in the refrigerator, radish remains fresh for only 60 days. And at room temperature it quickly loses its presentation.

Agronomists distinguish several types of hybrid:

European;
Chinese;
Japanese.

They differ in terms of ripening and cultivation conditions.

Selecting and planting seeds

You will not be able to get seeds from a hybrid yourself. It is recommended to purchase planting material from specialized garden centers. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the compliance of the growing region with the climate recommended by the breeders.

When planting, you need to follow the advice of agronomists:

Root crops should be placed in illuminated areas;
there should be no stagnation of moisture on the ridges;
the soil should be loose and moisture-permeable;
Before planting, the soil should be fertilized with a mineral complex;
the distance between the grooves should be 12–15 cm;
the distance between neighboring plants should be 8 cm;
Place 2 seeds in each hole;
After germination, remove the weak plant.

The soil must be kept moist until germination. Some gardeners cover their plantings with a thin white non-woven material. After seed germination, the canvas is removed.

Soil preparation

The watermelon wonder requires loose soil.Before planting, it is recommended to dig up the bed using a spade. At the same time add compost (a bucket per sq.m.) and a mineral complex (phosphorus and potassium).

Gardeners should pay attention to the acidity of the soil. For radish, a pH value of 7 is comfortable. For acidic soils, it is necessary to add lime or dolomite flour. Alkaline - acidify with peat. Lightly compact the ridges and mark the rows. Sow and moisten the soil.

Attention should be paid to the predecessors of culture. An excellent harvest is obtained from cucumbers and tomatoes. Onions and beans are good neighbors.

Landing dates

The watermelon root ripens within 30 days. This allows you to grow several crops per season. But for a delicious taste, it is recommended to observe planting dates.

This is a short day culture. When the duration of illumination increases, the arrow throws out. Root crops become coarse. The taste spoils.

The crop should be planted after the soil has warmed to 8 C°. Some gardeners sow watermelon radishes in a greenhouse in March–April. Before planting tomatoes or cucumbers, the first crop ripens.

The crop is planted in open ground until the end of May. Subsequent plantings are carried out in July–August. It is recommended to harvest before the onset of frost.

Care: watering, fertilizing

Watermelon radish is an early ripening crop. It is recommended to apply fertilizers only once: when preparing the soil for planting.

The ridges should be watered as they dry out: once every 7–10 days. In case of heavy, prolonged precipitation, it is necessary to cover the plantings with film.

The alternation of drought and waterlogging of the soil is dangerous: the taste of root vegetables deteriorates, the pulp becomes fibrous.

Hybrid diseases

The culture is affected by fungal diseases.For prevention, it is recommended to follow the watering regime.

On acidic soils, watermelon radish suffers from clubroot. Root crops become tough and their shape changes. To prevent this, the soil should be deoxidized before sowing.

Pests

The main pest is the cruciferous flea beetle. To combat it, plantings should be covered with lutrasil until the first true leaf grows. Some gardeners dust their plants with ash and tobacco dust. The use of insecticides is not recommended: the crop ripens quickly.

Sometimes root crops are damaged by wireworms. To combat it, weeds should be removed in a timely manner (the larvae live on their roots).

Benefits and harms

Gardeners know about the beneficial properties of the watermelon delicacy. It contains vitamins, acids, mustard oil, glycosides. Eating radish dishes restores strength in case of increased fatigue, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and stimulates appetite. It has been noticed that after a long winter, introducing root vegetables into the diet restores immunity.

But people with diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys should be careful when introducing watermelon vegetables into their diet: it can provoke an exacerbation of diseases.

Watermelon radish dishes

Watermelon radishes can be eaten fresh, fried, or stewed. Due to its unusual appearance and spicy taste, it is used to decorate dishes and drinks. Popular appetizer: place peeled and cut into rings radishes on a plate, sprinkle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fried seeds.