GrowLog
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German Giant Radishes with Corky Skin and Mild Flavour

Grow log by Sher · Original thread

9 visual updates11 photos27 replies
View recap
CropRadish
VarietyGerman Giant Radish
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden unit
Plants6
AudienceExperimental

What you can learnA strong radish experiment documenting sponge choice, bulb exposure, algae prevention, water-level failure, skin defects, harvest timing, flavour, and edible-leaf testing.

Actions:2 Harvest1 Planting1 Equipment1 Nutrients1 Watering
Useful practices
  • lifting sponges above the labels
  • covering sponges with foil to prevent algae
  • adding calcium-magnesium
  • topping off after gauge failure
  • harvesting when bulb growth stopped
  • testing cooked leaves
Problems encountered
  • dense rubbery sponges
  • faulty water-level indicator
  • very low reservoir water
  • corky skin
  • splitting
  • one dark poorly flavoured radish

*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.

Day 37
UPDATE#9
Grower update

Update #9

Actions taken

HarvestKept the edible leaves from the radish harvest and cooked them.

S By Sher

I knew that radish leaves were edible, but I had never tried them. So I saved the leaves when I harvested the radishes. They surprised me by not shrinking to nothing when cooked like many greens. I sautéed onions, then added the greens, chicken stock, and red pepper flakes. They were not good. So I drizzled them with rice vinegar (balsamic would have been better) and it improved the taste enough that I will probably save the leaves the next time I grow radishes.
Conversation
S
Shawn

You are brave Sher. I would never have tried to cook them.

L
lynnee

Given your report, Sher, I think I'll skip the radish greens! Your photo makes them look delicious, though.

Day 26
UPDATE#8
Grower update

Update #8

Actions taken

HarvestHarvested the stalled bulbs, peeled corky skin, and taste-tested them.

S By Sher

The radishes quit getting bigger about three days ago, so I harvested them today. After I peeled the corky skin off, they looked a lot better. The black one didn't taste quite as good ss the others. But the rest of them had a lovely, mild taste, followed by a nice radish kick! The quirky plates are my fun camping dishes.
Conversation
S
Shawn

I am happy you enjoyed the radishes! The plate is quite cute.

L
lynnee

To me, the radishes look delicious even with the corky skin!

L
lynnee

Something I'm wondering about--would it work to grow radishes in an AG seed starter setup? Would that solve the problem of keeping the thickening stems above the grow deck?I'm really tempted to try, given that radishes grow so quickly. I do have a vacant Sprout at the moment, and lots of seeds.

S
Sher

I think it would probably work, lynnee. I would pull the sponges up and cover them with something to prevent algae from growing on them. My only concern would be the 10 watt light, but it's worth a shot. And if you do it, I will enjoy following!

S
Shawn

Me too

Day 22
UPDATE#7
Grower update

Update #7

S By Sher

Day 22 -- They are not pretty, but they are getting huge! Especially the one in the right rear.
Conversation
E
ERR0R1755

The cracking is caused from it being exposed to light/heat - I have heard that some people gently wrap their radishes in paper towel, which helps deflect light and keep the moisture in, but I have never tried it.It can also be caused by inconsistent watering, but that is unlikely to be the case in hydroponics

S
Sher

Thanks, ERR0R1755!

Day 19
UPDATE#6
Grower update

Update #6

Actions taken

NutrientsAdded a small amount of calcium-magnesium supplement.
WateringRefilled the reservoir after discovering only half an inch of water.

S By Sher

The leaves weren't looking great today, so I decided to add a little Calmag. When I opened the water port, there was only about 1/2" of water in the bowl! The indicator is not working. So I topped it iff. The radishes are getting bigger, but the skin on some of them is corky, and the radish on the right is a very dark color. I don't know if it will be good. Also, some of them are splitting. So I don't know how they will turn out, but they are still fascinating to watch grow.
Conversation
L
lynnee

Your technique for lifting the sponges works really well!

Day 15
UPDATE#5
Grower update

Update #5

Actions taken

EquipmentRaised the sponges and wrapped them with foil to block algae.

S By Sher

The radishes are starting to bulb out. I have the sponges lifted well above the label, with aluminum foil skirts around them to prevent algae.
Day 10
UPDATE#4
Grower update

Update #4

S By Sher

The stems are just beginning to thicken.
Conversation
S
Shawn

I can not remember but is that the stem or the radish?

L
lynnee

Your radishes are standing up so straight! I'll bet they come out beautifully rounded.

S
Sher

Shawn, that is the stem that will turn into the radish -- hopefully!

Day 5
UPDATE#3
Grower update

Update #3

S By Sher

Today's update on the radishes...
Conversation
S
Shawn

Standing at attention

L
lynnee

Near-instant gratification!

Day 3
UPDATE#2
Grower update

Update #2

S By Sher

They are all up. I will thin them to one per pod soon.
Conversation
S
Shawn

That was pretty quick

Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update

Update #1

Actions taken

PlantingStarted German Giant radishes in off-brand Amazon sponges.

S By Sher

These are off brand seeds I found at Walmart, planted in off brand sponges from Amazon. The sponges feel harder and more rubbery than AG sponges, so this is an experiment all the way around. The radishes are supposed to be 1-1/2". I hope this works!
Conversation
L
lynnee

I'll be watching to see how you handle these when the red root begins to round out. I'm still trying to figure out how to get round radishes!

S
Sher

It will be an adventure, lynnee !

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