Radish green (Javanese): description, reviews, photo

Java radish is a new type of spring vegetable loved by everyone, the main difference of which is the absence of a root crop. The green radish has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, so it is important for every summer resident to find out as much information as possible about this new product in vegetable growing.

What is useful radish

Javanese green radish is no less useful vegetable than the usual varieties. It contains many minerals and vitamins that are required by the human body. In addition, it has the following useful properties:

• improves bowel function;
• suppresses pathogenic microflora;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• beneficial effect on the condition of the joints;
• helps to increase immunity.

Description of Java radish

Radish is a very exotic crop that grows on the island of Java. An adult plant is completely strewn with serpentine pods, for which the culture is grown.

At home (tropical climate), the Javanese radish can reach the size of a small tree, on the branches of which pods look like snake tails hang. Their length varies within 60 cm, although sometimes it can reach a whole meter. Due to the appearance of the pods, the vegetable received several associative names at once – serpentine radish, radish tree, tailed radish and rat tail.

In the local climate, the pods grow more modest – only 12 – 15 cm. They taste like an ordinary red radish, but the main difference is the presence of a spicy flavor that is unlike any other vegetable.

Main characteristics

This vegetable species has several varieties that differ in color and size of the pods. There are long and short green and purple (island) pods that can either grow straight or snake-like. More than 40 pods grow on each bush.

Java radish can be sown for seedlings or planted in open ground. The terms and rules of planting practically do not differ from planting ordinary varieties. It can tolerate light frosts, but is extremely susceptible to various pests.

Productivity

The first fruits of an exotic leguminous vegetable can be observed already in the middle of summer. They do not taste too much like ordinary radishes yet, they have more neutral notes. When ripe, the pods become denser, thicker and crispier. They also have a characteristic spicy taste. The fruits are actively used in the preparation of salads, as an additional ingredient for okroshka, for individual marinades and preservation, frying and simply eating raw. A pod with a diameter of 10 mm at the base is considered ideal.

In addition to the legume component of the plant, radish flowers can also be eaten.

The pods are best collected from the middle and lower parts of the bushes, and the tops are pinched. In this case, branches that have already fruited will begin to produce side shoots, on which fruits will also grow. If you find drying stems, you must cut off all the pods.

At least 40 pods grow on each bush, and the crop can be harvested from mid-summer until autumn. The main condition for a good harvest is fertile soil and the availability of free space for growth, because whole shrubs grow from a small seed, branching in different directions.

Advantages and disadvantages

Javanese legume radish is a vegetable crop that is not yet familiar to all gardeners. It has its advantages and disadvantages, like any other plant.

The advantages of the pod variety include the following:

• good yield;
• high germination;
• versatility of application;
• unpretentiousness in cultivation;
• taste qualities.

Of the shortcomings, it can only be noted that the Javanese radish is susceptible to various diseases and pest attacks, as well as the fact that you can not buy the seeds of this vegetable in every store.

Rules of landing and care

In order for the serpentine radish to give a good harvest, it is necessary to properly prepare for its planting. There are no fundamental differences with planting ordinary varieties, so even a novice gardener will cope with such a process.

Recommended dates

Because the radish is an early vegetable that can be planted as soon as the snow grows. If you plant Javanese radish under a film, then the optimal sowing time is March-April. When planting through seedlings in open ground, planting is carried out in mid-late April.

Choosing a place and preparing beds

The legume representative of this vegetable crop loves the light. Therefore, the site for its landing should be in an open area. Winds and drafts are not terrible for a vegetable, but an increased amount of moisture can cause many diseases. Therefore, a place for a radish must be chosen taking into account its needs.

Like all vegetables, radishes are responsive to fertile light soil. Good soil is the key to a rich harvest. Therefore, before planting Javanese radish, it is necessary to fertilize the soil with mineral components and organic matter. It is best to fertilize before winter by pouring a 5-centimeter layer of fresh manure on the selected area.

Landing algorithm

Radishes can be grown both from seeds and seedlings.

First option:

1. In the 20th of March, sow radish seeds in prepared containers.
2. Moisturize.
3. Cover with foil.
4. After 5 days, the first shoots should appear, then the film can be removed.
5. Watering seedlings is carried out as the soil dries.
6. In early or mid-April (you need to rely on climatic conditions and the landing site – open ground or a greenhouse), you can plant seedlings.
7. You need to plant bushes at a distance of about 15 – 20 cm from each other.

The second option:

1. The day before sowing, soak the seeds of the Javanese legume vegetable in warm water on gauze.
2. Sow the seeds in the prepared grooves, trying to observe the prescribed interval (you can use adhesive tape).
3. Pour a thin layer of earth on top.
4. Lightly tamp.
5. Water.

If sowing is carried out in early spring, then the bed is covered with a film. When the threat of frost has passed, the shelter can be left unused.

Growing of green radish

After sowing, radishes require some care, which is no different from caring for the usual varieties of this crop.

1. When the first sprouts of green Javan radish appear (after 5-10 days), the plant must be watered.
2. It is immediately necessary to prepare a support, on which the grown bushes will be tied up in the future. This can be done using ordinary wooden pegs.
3. After 20 days, you can add urea diluted in water (1 glass of urea per 10 liters).
4. When weeds appear, they must be removed manually. Using a chopper can harm a fragile root system.
5. Watering a leguminous Javanese vegetable should be carried out as the earth dries up. If it rains periodically, then the plant does not need additional moisture.
6. The bush should form 50 – 60 days after the appearance of the first shoots. At this point, the plant begins to flower. For better formation of ovaries, it is necessary to fertilize the soil with any organic means.
7. During the formation of fruits, do not pour radishes so that the pods do not gain excess moisture.
8. When the branches begin to dry, all the pods are cut off. They can be dried to produce their own seed.

Pests and diseases

Radish, which looks like a powerful tree in the photo, is subject to a number of diseases and pest attacks. The most dangerous for Javanese legumes are:

1. A midge that perforates the leaves. It is dangerous for young shoots, after flowering it does not pose a danger to the plant.
2. Aphid. It is often the culprit in the death of cabbage and radish.
3. Slepen
4. Medvedka.
5. Rot and other diseases characteristic of the common radish.

You can get rid of the problems that have arisen both by specialized means and by folk methods. The most effective of these is the treatment of the Javanese leguminous plant with fresh wood ash. You can simply sprinkle the bush or bring ashes with water and carefully shed the soil.

Cooking application

The capsicum Javan radish is a versatile fruit. It can be used in the following areas:

1. Roasting. Small pods, fried in oil, look like crispy juicy peppers with a unique spicy taste.
2. Fresh application. Green radishes can be added to many salads, cut to add to okroshka.
3. Salting and pickling. Salting the pods will help to save the vitamin vegetable for the whole winter.
4. As a side dish for meat dishes.

Conclusion

Javanese radish is an exotic vegetable that is only gaining popularity in the country. Many gardeners are wary of a heat-loving plant, so they are afraid to plant it in local climatic conditions. But the reviews of those who have already tried to grow green radishes indicate that the culture is very unpretentious.

Reviews