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Container Gardening

radishes bulbs not forming?

15 years ago

hi,

according to the seed package, the radishes i planted a few weeks ago should be nearly ready by now. i peeked at a couple, though, and the roots haven't developed at all, although the leaves have been growing fine.

i'll just keep waiting to see what happens, but does anyone have any ideas about what the problem might be? i'm growing them in pots, in commercial potting soil (pro mix). it's still quite cool here in montreal.

thanks!

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Comments (7)

justaguy2
15 years ago
your one and only 'problem' is lack of patience.

They will bulb out, bulb up, but not as fast as the seed packet says in many cases. Wait 1 week and test again. If not ready wait 1 more week and test etc. They will be ready when they are ready and they don't have eyes to read seed packets to know what conditions they are supposed to conform to. :)

Always take days to maturity on seed packets or website ads as a best guesstimate and understand it depends on fertility, moisture, sunlight exposure, temperature etc.
mollywk
Original Author
15 years ago
Haha, perfect, that's exactly what I needed to hear! Forgive my impatience -- it's my first time growing vegetables, so I'm a bit skittish. ;)
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mayberrygardener
15 years ago
Molly,

I am having the same thing! I planted them on April 1, and still the radishes have not developed, although the leaves are quite lovely... We have had cool weather and rains ("good weather for peas"), although this week is really warm.

Hey all you other gardeners--what's up with our radishes? I have a 25-day variety planted, and I'm at 40 + days!
tomncath
15 years ago
Something to consider, heat. Here in Florida it's not unusual to have them take 60 days instead of 30 due to the heat. We had such an unusually cold fall and winter they were on time at 30 days, but that's not the norm here...since you've put them in a container the question is, how hot is the soil? Are the containers dark in color? How much direct sun are they absorbing? These factors may be contributing to the heats effect on bulb growth.

Tom
mollywk
Original Author
15 years ago
Hmm. Well, they are in dark containers, that's true. But as far as heat and sunlight, I doubt that they'd be getting too much. The hottest days we've had so far were barely 70F, and for the most part it's been much cooler. (The other poster before said she's been having cool weather too.) Do you think the heat could really be an issue, because of the containers?

Anyway, I guess I'll keep waiting and hoping. :)
Thanks!
tomncath
15 years ago
Do you think the heat could really be an issue, because of the containers?

We're in totally different climates, but not knowing what factors could be influencing your situation I just though I'd throw out this possibility.

Tom
ljpother
15 years ago
I've never had any luck with radish. I have got one or two that formed bulbs; but, those were hot and bitter. They were nothing like the big, round, sweet and juicy, radishes available at local markets. Mine just grew leaves and eventually bolted. I've had this happen in southern Ontario and three different gardens in Edmonton Alberta. I don't plant them anymore.

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