How much do radish seeds cost? Detailed guide to growing methods

Radish is one of the world's ancient cultivated crops, a biennial or annual herbaceous plant of the genus Raphanus in the cruciferous family. The original species originated from wild radish on the warm coasts of Europe and Asia. It is now grown all over the world and can be cultivated in all four seasons in areas with suitable climate conditions, though in most regions autumn cultivation predominates. Let's take a look below at radish seed prices and growing methods!

How much is a packet of radish seeds?

Note: There are very many cultivated varieties of radish, and their seed prices differ depending on the variety. When purchasing, be sure to look at the variety first (mainly at variety characteristics, yield, etc.) and then at the price. Therefore, the above prices are for reference only, and the actual prices shall prevail!

What varieties of radish are there?

1. Autumn-winter radish: A type commonly cultivated in China, sown in late summer and early autumn, harvested in late autumn and early winter, with a growing period of 60-100 days. Representative varieties include Xuecheng Changhong, Jinan Qingyuancui, Shijiazhuang White Radish, Beijing Xinlimei, and Chenghai Baisha Huochetou.

2. Winter-spring radish: Grown in areas of China south of the Yangtze River and in Sichuan Province where winters are not too cold. It is cold-tolerant, strongly winter-type, and not prone to pithiness. Representative varieties include Chengdu Chunbulao Radish, Hangzhou Jianqiao Dahongying Radish, and Chenghai Nanpanzhou Wan Radish.

3. Spring-summer radish: Commonly grown in China, relatively cold-tolerant, strongly winter-type, with a relatively short growing period, generally 45-60 days. Improper sowing time or cultivation management can easily cause premature bolting. Representative varieties include Beijing Paozhutong, Penglai Spring Radish, and Nanjing Wuyuehong.

4. Summer-autumn radish: More commonly cultivated in China south of the Yellow River basin, often used as an off-season vegetable in summer and autumn. It is relatively moisture-tolerant and heat-tolerant, with a growing period of 50-70 days. Representative varieties include Hangzhou Xiaogoubai and Guangzhou Lazhu Dun.

5. Four-season radish: Grown in small quantities in China, with small leaves, thin petioles, and abundant fuzz. The fleshy root is relatively small and extremely early-maturing, suitable for eating raw and pickling. Representative varieties include Nanjing Yanghua Radish, Shanghai Xiaohong Radish, and Yantai Hongding.

Growing conditions for radish

1. Temperature: Radish is a semi-cold-tolerant vegetable. Seeds can germinate at 2-3°C, with an optimum temperature of 20-25°C. During the seedling stage it can withstand temperatures of 25°C and also lows of minus 3°C. The optimum temperature for stem and leaf growth is 15-20°C, and the optimum temperature for fleshy root growth is 18-20°C.

2. Water: The effective soil water content suitable for fleshy root growth in radish is 65-80%, and the air humidity is 80-90%. High air humidity can improve quality, but soil moisture should not be excessive either; uneven water supply makes the fleshy root prone to cracking.

3. Soil: Radish is not strict about soil requirements, but deep soil layers, loose texture, and sandy loam with good water and fertilizer retention are best. The suitable soil pH is 5.3-7.

4. Nutrition: In terms of nutrient absorption by radish, potassium is taken up the most, followed by nitrogen, and then phosphorus. For every 1000 kg of radish produced, about 5.55 kg of nitrogen, 2.6 kg of phosphorus, and 6.37 kg of potassium are absorbed, with a ratio of the three elements of 2.1:1:2.5.

5. Light: Radish growth requires sufficient sunlight. With sufficient sunlight, plants are robust, photosynthesis is strong, material accumulation is greater, the fleshy root expands quickly, and yield is high. Plants that have completed vernalization differentiate flower buds and send out flowering branches relatively quickly under long-day conditions and higher temperatures.

Growing methods for radish

1. Land preparation and fertilization: Radish cultivation should not be continuously cropped with cruciferous vegetables. Deep plow and turn repeatedly, and at the same time apply sufficient base fertilizer. Apply 37,000-45,000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer, 1200 kg of plant ash, 375-450 kg of superphosphate, and 750 kg of diammonium phosphate per hectare.

2. Timely sowing: The sowing time for radish depends on variety characteristics and market demand. The suitable sowing time for autumn-winter radish is from late July to early August, while spring radish can be sown from late February to early April. The sowing rate varies with cultivation density, generally 3-6 kg/hectare.

3. Timely thinning: Radish cultivation generally involves the first thinning when the first true leaf unfolds, and by the "big belly split" stage, one robust seedling with the characteristics of the variety is selected and retained, while other weak plants can be thinned out.

4. Reasonable watering: During the germination stage of radish, soil moisture content should be above 90%. During the seedling stage, soil moisture content of 60% is suitable. The leaf growth stage has a high water requirement, and during the root growth stage soil moisture should be maintained at 70-80%. In the late root growth stage, watering should still be done appropriately to prevent hollowing.

5. Topdressing in stages: The principle of fertilizing radish is mainly base fertilizer, supplemented by topdressing. Generally, topdressing is applied 2-3 times after thinning. Be sure to avoid excessive concentration. The ratio of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus is roughly 2:1:2.5.

6. Cultivation and weeding: When growing radish, attention should be paid to cultivation, weeding, and hilling, especially for autumn-sown crops, because warm temperatures and abundant rain make weeds grow easily, so timely cultivation and weeding are necessary.

7. Pest and disease control: The main pests of radish include aphids, diamondback moths, cabbage caterpillars, and striped flea beetles. The main diseases include viral disease, downy mildew, and soft rot. Field management should be strengthened and preventive measures taken.

8. Timely harvesting: The harvesting time of radish varies with sowing time. Spring radish should be harvested about 50-60 days after sowing. Summer radish and radish sown in early autumn are harvested 40-60 days after sowing. For autumn-winter radish varieties whose fleshy roots mostly exposed above ground, harvest before frost.