Nowadays, crops obtained by crossing different varieties (to improve the quality of a new plant) are very popular among gardeners. Their seeds are purchased in special stores. But many gardeners want to collect their own seed. Unfortunately, due to inexperience, they make a number of mistakes and cannot get quality material. In this article we will tell you how to get radish seeds.
Methods for producing seeds
There are two ways to get radish seeds:
- The first method is called direct. It is rarely used, since there are few seeds, and they are sung for a long time (160 days). In addition, it is likely that the plant will be pollinated and crossed with other crops or varieties of radishes. The essence of this method is that they do not dig up radishes and transplant them to a new place after it has ascended.
- The second method is called transfer. It is more effective, since when transplanting it is possible to choose the best root crops for further cultivation. In addition, you can protect radishes from other crops so that cross pollination does not occur. Harvest grown in this way can be harvested after 120 days.
Principles of selecting a quality root crop
You can use for breeding almost any variety of radish you like. Even if you planted a bed and harvested it almost completely, and then realized that you really liked the variety used, even a single plant left for breeding would be enough. Seeds culture gives in large quantities. But for this you need to choose a quality uterine root crop.
First of all, you should pay attention to the presence of flaws, damage and other defects. It is equally important that the selected root crop is resilient and with a smooth skin. The selected root crop must have all the characteristics of the cultivated variety. The seeds of the best quality will be obtained from the mother liquor with green, thick, healthy tops.
Important! You can not use hybrid varieties for seed production, they are not suitable for this.
How to plant radish root vegetables and get seeds
A correctly selected mother liquor is already half the battle on the way to obtaining high-quality planting material. Now it is equally important to plant a plant successfully.
Selection of Radish Seed
When choosing queen cells, pay attention to such moments:
- color (uniform);
- shape (flat);
- the presence of defects (no cracking, dents, damage by pests, diseases);
- structure (elastic);
- the number of leaves (5-6 pcs.);
- shooting (absent, does not stiffen and does not produce a peduncle).
Planting seed radish
Radishes are planted in early spring. It is advisable to plant it under a film, since the seed ripening process is long and you need to get a uterine plant as soon as possible.
A garden bed is being prepared in the fall. It is done on a small elevation (15 cm) and in a sunny place. The soil is good, but it is moderately fertilized with organic matter, because due to its overabundance, the underground part of the plant is not at all growing. In spring, after most of the snow has melted, mineral complexes are introduced that spread evenly across the soil when the remnants of snow melt. Before planting, the bed is dug up in a bayonet.
Important! Perfect Radish Neighbor — Beans Potatoes, lettuce, onions, garlic, beets, cabbage will be suitable. Negative neighbor —cucumbers.
How to grow radish seeds
Need to grow transplant way. For this, the largest root crops should be selected among the grown culture. They cut the tops, leaving 3-5 cm. The selected planting material is planted in a protected place.
Three weeks later, the testis stalk appears. After it reaches 70–80 cm, it is necessary to enclose it around the perimeter with stakes so that under the weight of the ripening pods it does not wilt.
Dates of collection and drying of radish seeds
Harvested seeds are fully ripe. If they are pulled out unripe, they will not be able to finish, but simply dry or rot. You can check them for ripeness by color: as soon as they ripen, the pods change their color from green to pale yellow or beige.
Did you know? Radishes are grown on the ISS to study plants in zero gravity. They chose it among the rest of the cultures due to the short growing season.
Typically, these changes occur in mid-autumn. So that the crop is not wet in the autumn rains, it is necessary to collect it in time (cut the flower stalk) and dry it in the attic or in another well-ventilated place. Dry it in bundles and in limbo.
Storage and preparation for boarding
The pods are ready for breaking up after 21 days of drying. Well-dried pods should crumble easily in your hands. Seeds spill out of them. Garbage in the form of husks and other things can get along with them. Manually separating the crop from the garbage is not profitable, therefore, ripened pods need to be crushed so that the shell breaks up into small pieces.
Then the mixture must be filled with water for 5-10 minutes. During this time, light trash will pop up. After that, the water can be drained and the seeds dried. Dry crops are packaged in paper bags or cloth bags. Store it in a dry place. Be sure to sign all the bags, indicating the date of collection of the seed material, as it is suitable for growing 4-5 years.
Video: How to get your radish seeds
Before planting, radish seeds, like other crops, are tested for viability by soaking in water for 15 minutes. Then they are processed with potassium permanganate.
Propagating radishes is not difficult, but troublesome. The plant needs a lot of attention to get a quality crop.
