I had a gorgeous row of radish TOPS, pulled 'em up and there were NO radishes! Which nutrient am I missing if the root isnt forming? :?: Well, there was one. 'Bout the size of a pea. Cant make a pot of soup with that!! ( ) moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
Just wait a little longer. I usually remove a little dirt at the base of radishes and carrots to see how they are doing before I pick them. You can put that soil right back into place and let the plant have another few weeks if needed. Radishes are pretty quick growing but they'll take a little longer than the seed packet tells you if the growing conditions are not perfect. Did you thin your radish plants to at least 1.5" apart? Occasionally I'll miss a plant when I'm thinning and I get two puny useless roots instead of one fat, crisp bulb. Even when I plant at the correct distance apart, sometimes things move a little under the soil, or I might accidentally drop in an extra seed or two.
I agree with Pricklypear. If they weren't thinned they won't grow. If they were thinned then I'd leave them a little longer. I like to see the red round tops poking up before I pull them.
The tops usually make before the roots. You didn`t say how long since planting? Like everyone said just make sure they aren`t too thick and wait a little longer. I run my finger around the root to see how big they are before pulling. Most times you can see the top of the root !!
Planted them about 5-6 weeks ago. Others think cause we had an unseasonably warm May that the too warm temps may have caused the greens to bolt and not form a bulb. Most were spaced ok. Going to go measure how far the rest are apart!
Normally they will not bolt prematurely. I have planted them in July in the Texas heat and they did not bolt as long as they had plenty of moisture. It seems that if they are extremely dry they will bolt sooner. Just wait a while longer and see if they make. I did have one variety that did not make at all but I do not remember which one it was. I usually plant white icicle and red globe. If they do bolt and produce seeds, the seed pods are great for snacking and in salads. They have a very mild radish flavor. I usually leave some just for the seed pods.
I never thought about eating seed pods or putting them in salads. Yet, I know that some people like to sprout radish seeds. I haven't tried that either. This is why it's fun to visit here. Sometimes you pick up a little gem like this. Thanks, Mart.
I had not even thought about eating them till a gardener on another group was talking about it last year. I tried them and they were delicious. So now I leave a few just for the seed pods. Just pick them before they start to dry and get tough !! Young and tender are best.
