Raphanus sativus Seeds | Cherrybelle Radish
LATIN NAME: Raphanus sativus
COMMON NAME: Cherrybelle Radish
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Cherrybelle Radish (Raphanus sativus) is an annual in the cabbage family. Cherrybelle radish is round, red pop of salad bed, and crisp, white-fleshed roots come up fast through cool season. Roots have a long record as fast, crisp bite of salad bowl, and plant is a fine, generous presence of cool kitchen garden. It is a plant of open, sunny, rich, moist, well-drained ground. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. For the gardener, the sum of these traits is a plant that is easy to live with.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the cabbage family, Raphanus sativus is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Cherrybelle Radish works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Cherrybelle radish is a fine, generous plant of cool kitchen garden. Round, bright-red roots come up fast through cool season with crisp, white, peppery flesh, sliced into salads, sandwiches and crudite plates of spring table, one of fine, quick crops of the year. Sow seeds in small batches through cool season, and crisp roots will come along for weeks. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Radish is a digestive food-herb of East Asia, its seed, Lai Fu Zi, a classical Chinese herb for food stagnation and phlegm; daikon is famed as the enzyme-rich accompaniment to fried foods.
Growing from Seed
Cherrybelle Radish is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. A spell of cool, moist conditions ahead of sowing brings the seed along nicely and supports even germination. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Cherrybelle Radish is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
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