Although spring is a time of rejuvenation for all things, temperatures remain somewhat unstable. If you want to plant spring radishes, it's important to master the scientific cultivation techniques. Radish is a well-known vegetable. Below, let's learn together about the cultivation methods for spring radishes.
Key Points of Spring Radish Cultivation Techniques
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Variety Selection: Choose varieties like White Jade Spring Radish, Agricultural Spring Large Radish, etc. These varieties have fewer leaves, quick root enlargement, and stable bolting. The roots are smooth and neat, with few branching or splitting, completely white, and cylindrical. They have excellent flavor, crisp and sweet taste, high moisture content, and late pith formation. The roots can reach a weight of 1 kilogram after 60 days of sowing.
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Cultivation Techniques:
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Strictly adhere to the sowing period. The environmental temperature should be above 10°C, with at least 7 consecutive days of good sunny weather. Sowing time: Late December to early January for greenhouse cultivation with ground film covering; late April to mid-May for open-field cultivation with ground film covering.
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Apply sufficient base fertilizer and thoroughly cultivate the soil. Generally, apply 2000 kilograms of well-rotted high-quality manure, 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer, 1 kilogram of boron fertilizer, and 2000 kilograms of mixed organic fertilizer per acre.
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Seed at a reasonable density. A spacing of 40 cm × 30 cm is generally suitable. During sowing, water each hole with high-quality diluted manure, plant one full seed, and cover with about 1 cm of soil. Shallow sowing leads to seedling lodging and crooked roots in the future. Deep sowing affects seedling emergence speed and is not conducive to cultivating strong seedlings. Additionally, prepare reserve seedlings using nutrient bowls at a ratio of 5% to fill any gaps. During peak periods, seedlings can also be directly raised and transplanted using nutrient bowls with a diameter of 5-10 cm. This method not only facilitates management but also maximizes the use of greenhouse facilities, significantly improving economic benefits.
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Field Management: Close the greenhouse tightly for 7-10 days after sowing to facilitate emergence. Due to the unstable early spring temperatures, after emergence, moderate thinning is necessary. Generally, the daytime temperature should be controlled at 15-20°C and the nighttime temperature at 10-15°C. Even on overcast and rainy days, as long as the temperature remains above 0°C, the side of the greenhouse facing away from the wind should be opened to ventilate and cool appropriately. When the nighttime temperature stabilizes above 10°C, full ventilation day and night can be adopted to promote balanced growth of roots and leaves. For filling in gaps, seedlings should be supplemented when they have 2-3 true leaves, preferably keeping the cotyledons perpendicular to the row. During the seedling stage, less fertilizer and water are needed. Since the local area is mostly overcast and rainy, no watering or fertilization is necessary. In the mid to late growth stages, apply fertilizer twice. The first application should be 30 days after sowing, when most radishes "break their bellies," with 10 kilograms of urea and 5 kilograms of potassium chloride evenly applied per acre. The second application should be around 45 days after sowing, when most radishes start to "expose their shoulders," with 10 kilograms of urea evenly applied per acre. After the first fertilization, maintain soil moisture and sufficient fertilizer to prevent pith formation and premature bolting. On overcast and rainy days, cover the film to prevent waterlogging and improve radish quality. Early spring radishes are less prone to diseases and pests. During the seedling stage, prevent excessive humidity to avoid damping-off disease. In the middle and late stages, control leaf miners and aphids.
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Harvesting: Harvest should be carried out 60 days after sowing, depending on market conditions, whether earlier or later.
Overall, spring radish is a fast-growing, short-duration, high-value commodity crop with high economic benefits. It is important for everyone to master the cultivation techniques scientifically.
