The peculiarity of pink radish is that it is quite large in size. The weight of one fruit reaches 300 grams. Disputes about the origin of the daikon are still ongoing. Some scientists believe that this is the result of crossing radishes with radishes. Others stubbornly consider it an ordinary large radish. This crop is characterized by juicy pulp, which is why it has become a favorite of many gardeners.
Description of the variety
The root vegetable has dense and juicy pulp. As a rule, radishes are round in shape, but some varieties are characterized by oblong fruits that resemble a cylinder in shape.The inside of the fruit is white, and the thin layer of the peel is red. Although many hybrids have already been bred that have opposite characteristics, namely red flesh and white skin.
The taste of the fruit is moderately spicy. The advantage of radish is that it is a storehouse of substances beneficial to the body. The coarse fibers contained in its composition are known for their positive properties on the digestive system. In addition, radish cleanses the body of harmful toxins, improves appetite, and prevents constipation. The antibacterial properties of the vegetable allow you to cope with pathological processes in the intestines.
If you regularly eat vegetables, you can prevent swelling, as it helps remove excess fluid from the body.
Calorie content of red radish
100 grams of daikon contain only 20 calories. This allows you to consume the vegetable in diets aimed at combating excess weight. In addition, radish contains many vitamins and minerals, such as copper, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.
Beneficial features
The rich composition of daikon makes it possible to use it in folk medicine. Pink radish juice is prescribed for anemia. If you add a little honey to it, you will get an effective and tasty medicine for colds, which children take with pleasure.
Red radish tincture has been used for many years for radiculitis, rheumatism and joint pain. To do this, radish juice is infused with vodka and rubbed into the affected areas.
It is recommended to use radish for those who are faced with diseases of the liver, kidneys and gall bladder.
But the beneficial properties of the culture do not end there. The components of its composition have many useful actions:
- volatile phytoncides contained in daikon cleanse internal organs of pathogenic microorganisms and protect against fungal and viral infections;
- ascorbic acid strengthens the body's resistance to bacterial and viral infections, reduces the likelihood of developing cancer;
- fiber cleanses the body of toxins, improves food absorption and stimulates intestinal motility.
Harm of daikon
Despite many beneficial properties, the vegetable can also cause harm to the body. This is especially true for pregnant and lactating women. Daikon contains essential oils that accumulate in the body and cause uterine tone. This condition often ends in miscarriage. During lactation, root vegetables should be avoided for the reason that they can provoke allergic reactions in infants.
Contraindications
In addition to pregnant and lactating women, people with ulcerative diseases of the esophagus, gastritis, enterocolitis, heart disease and genitourinary system should avoid consuming daikon.
Features of cultivation
Caring for and growing red radish is not much different from agricultural practices of other crop varieties. Root crops are planted by seed in open ground. Daikon is practically not grown in greenhouses. To get a good harvest and juicy, large fruits, you need to know the peculiarities of growing daikon.
The culture needs daylight, which lasts at least 10 hours. Thus, seeds are sown in early spring. But some gardeners prefer to sow crops in the second half of summer, while getting no worse harvest. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked. They should be in water for at least a day, this will speed up their germination.The culture loves loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity. But it also grows well in other soils.
Gardeners plant seeds at a distance of 20 cm from each other. It is recommended to plant round root crops a little further, at a distance of about 30 cm. In this case, the distance between rows should not be less than 50 cm. Oblong root crops can be planted closer: the distance between rows is 40 cm, the distance between plants is 20 cm.
The soil for the radish is dug up and fertilized in advance. Seeds are sown 3-4 pieces in holes, the depth of which is at least 2 cm. After planting, the soil is compacted and watered without fail. To prevent the growth of weeds and drying out of the soil, the planting area can be mulched using hay or straw.
Radish care is standard: weeding, watering, regular loosening of the soil. Despite the fact that daikon is characterized by a love of moisture, its excess will lead to cracking of the roots. But its deficiency will result in the radish becoming very bitter. Thus, watering should be done correctly, 2-3 times a week, but in moderation. It is also important to pay attention to weather conditions.
Since the crop tends to protrude above the soil, it must be hilled up. This way the fruits will not dry out.
Feeding is needed only later daikon varieties. For this purpose, mineral mixtures are used. Fertilizing is carried out at the stage of fruit formation. Early varieties do not need this procedure.
Storage
Red radish is not intended for long-term storage. The fruits soften and spoil after 5-6 days. But if you put them in the refrigerator, the shelf life will increase several times.But before that, it is important to properly prepare the daikon:
- remove spoiled areas, or better yet, sort such fruits altogether;
- pack the harvest in plastic bags;
- Make holes in each package to allow air to enter.
The optimal temperature at which radish is stored, ranges from +1 to -2 degrees. Relative humidity also plays an important role. Its optimal indicators are no more than 90%.
Later varieties of daikon can be stored for a long time. They are piled up and covered with earth. They remain in this state for up to 15 days until they are completely dry. Winter varieties are stored in the basement or refrigerator. Before storage, the fruits are sorted and sorted in the same way. It is also important to regulate the air temperature in the basement; it should not fall below 0 degrees.
Use in cooking
Some countries use radish stewed, fried and even boiled. However, in our country, daikon is consumed exclusively fresh. As a rule, it is added to salads. The number of recipes with the addition of radish is constantly increasing. If, for example, you add a vegetable to a salad of boiled eggs and cheese, its absorption will occur much faster. An ingredient such as radish gives the dish lightness, spicy aroma and rich taste.
