radish trouble

[plot apprentice]

Hi folks

Tried some radish in this my first year on the plot, things seemed to be going well until around 10 days ago when suddenly they have gone from nice green foliage with a slim scarlet base to a 12 inch high prickly plant with lots of flowers.

any ideas plus advice for next time. thanks.

[Allan]

They have passed to the seed stage, old age or bad conditions. At this time of year you can't expect them to last more than about 4 weeks total. You can easily recognise the start of going to seed, look at the top of the radish, while they are edible the leaves start immediately above the red 'bulb' but when they go up there is a single tghick neck between the two. Also the root extends and fibres build up in the 'bulb'.Radish must be grown quickly with plenty of water at all times, a soak once a day at least in hot weather, and quite a fertile soil with nutrients. It helps also to sow individual seeds at least 1 inch apart so you don't have to thin.I am using containers (fish boxes) of multi-purpose compost about 4 inches deep, sowing on a 1.5 inch grid and keeping moist. After 3-4 weeks I get big radishes then clear out, add more fertiliser then re-sow.

[plot apprentice]

Hi alan

Thanks for the advice on radishes will try again at some point, following your advice to the letter and if that don't work maybe me and the radish were never meant to be...p.a.

[Jea]

If you haven't already pulled up your flowering radish plants - leave them to go to seed and pick the seed pod when it is about half an inch long and still green and you can use in salads or stir frys. The seeds pods have a crisp radish flavour.
Many years ago T&M used to sell a variety grown specifically for its seed pods but with most radish varities you can use the seed pods as well as the root. Useful this year when they've gone to seed so quickly!