Radish- Eight Day Germination

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?VKRLE 13 May 2010 Radish Sparkler White Tip – 8 days germination

The last week has been cool and wet. Night temperatures have been about 4 C and the daytime probably around 12 C. This indicates radishes prefer cool weather for germination. All seeds appear to have sprouted. When the weather warms, the ubiquitous flea beetle will appear, and must be controlled by Integrated Pest Management.

Here is the planting method for reference.
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?LYPQY 2 May 2010 Planting Radish Sparkler White Tip.
The usual method of planting on roll paper was utilized.

[Millymollymandy]

Can you tell me more about Integrated Pest Management please? I don't even bother to sow radishes until August because of our flea beetle problem.

[Durgan]

Can you tell me more about Integrated Pest Management please? I don't even bother to sow radishes until August because of our flea beetle problem.

Integrated Pest Management is an euphemism for what it takes to control pests. It is double speak that I picked up from the University of British Columbia agricultural research site. I use the nostrums and then some appropriate chemical if all else fails. DDT use to work, but is now long gone. Our ancestors use to use arsenic disguised as Paris Green.

On flea beetles, I have used wood ashes, rhubarb juice, and more often than not let nature take its course. Also bear in mind radishes are a favorites of flea beetles, and it might be advantages to plant some radishes alongside other plants to feed the little beasts to entice them away from something more desirable. I have never practiced this, since I have a revulsion of encouraging one's enemy.

Fortunately, I have few pests, since nobody in my vicinity plants a garden. Vegetable gardening is almost a lost art in Canada. Gardening has many rivals for attention, like TV and fast food with no preparation..

[Millymollymandy]

Also bear in mind radishes are a favorites of flea beetles, and it might be advantages to plant some radishes alongside other plants to feed the little beasts to entice them away from something more desirable. I have never practiced this, since I have a revulsion of encouraging one's enemy.

Thanks for the answer and the above point is interesting - I could try sowing some rocket (which I love) with radish next to it and see which veg they prefer! Maybe I will manage to get one or the other to maturity. Though I have my doubts.

I have learned it's easier to just wait until about mid August when they seem to be disappearing naturally then I plant out my winter brassicas raised in pots and start sowing and enjoying radishes and rocket in the autumn. C'est la vie - other people have slugs and snails and I have this horrid little critter - but at least they don't munch my lettuce!

[Odsox]

Surely you must know the greasy card trick ?

Totally environmentally friendly and organic (except for the grease)
Smear grease or something similar on a piece of cardboard about 6 inches square and hold it just above the row of radishes while disturbing the foliage. The flea beetles jump vertically and stick to the card.
Do that once a day and it should keep their numbers down to single figures.

Instead of grease you could probably use treacle or honey.

[Durgan]

Surely you must know the greasy card trick ?

Totally environmentally friendly and organic (except for the grease)
Smear grease or something similar on a piece of cardboard about 6 inches square and hold it just above the row of radishes while disturbing the foliage. The flea beetles jump vertically and stick to the card.
Do that once a day and it should keep their numbers down to single figures.

Instead of grease you could probably use treacle or honey.

OK, you are on. I never heard of this method, but at first look it has merit. I actually have a can of tanglefoot, and it never did anything laying a board covered with tanglefoot along a row last year. I will make a magic wand today, since it is dull and raining outside. Flea beetles appear when it is hot and sunny.

[Millymollymandy]

I'd heard of this but with sticky fly papers and thought I'd end up getting into a right sticky mess which I wouldn't be able to get off my hands. I'll ask my OH if he has any grease (I'm not wasting expensive honey! ). Might have to give it a go as everything is taking so long to germinate there may only be lettuce and radishes to eat before August!