Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Lardman on March 27, 2015, 19:15

Title: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Lardman on March 27, 2015, 19:15
Has anyone grown radish to maturity in 1" cell trays (20cell / ½ tray) It would save me messing around with the cat litter trays and a 12cell seems a little wasteful.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: LotuSeed on March 27, 2015, 19:25
I wouldn't think they'd be deep enough to grow them in. <<shrugs>>
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Dave NE on March 27, 2015, 19:31
Last year was my best ever for radishes, they were growing at the front of my runner/climbing beans and the compost was rich in leaf mould and organic matter, I will have to try this again this year, cheers Dave
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Growster... on March 28, 2015, 09:02
We're thinking of doing this, Larders!

We keep acquiring those plastic 15 cell sowing trays, which, if handled with care, are great for bringing on toms, beans, peas etc, so a couple of radish in each tray, in the cool greenhouse seems a logical step forward!
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: sunshineband on March 28, 2015, 09:25
Hmmmm

I would have thought that there was not enough depth for their tap root to grow, but as seed is cheap and they germinate quickly, worth a try maybe  :unsure:

Our early crop this year is in the ground of our mini-tunnel at the plot, and they look to be doing OK so far
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Snoop on March 28, 2015, 11:12
Are these your cells that are 3 cm deep? If so, I don't think it would work. I grow radishes in trays early in the year but the soil is more like 3 inches deep than 3 cm. Because they grow so fast, I then use the same tray and leftover compost is left for starting off lettuce or the like.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: davetoddy on March 28, 2015, 11:45
Just out of interest I have measured some radish I pulled this morning from poly tunnel.
They are "French Breakfast" and are still small but measure 3" from the tip of the tap root to the top of the radish
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Snoop on March 28, 2015, 13:28
Just out of interest I have measured some radish I pulled this morning from poly tunnel.
They are "French Breakfast" and are still small but measure 3" from the tip of the tap root to the top of the radish

Good point. I should have said I only grow round-type radishes like this.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Lardman on March 28, 2015, 15:24
Are these your cells that are 3 cm deep? If so, I don't think it would work.

Yep. those are they.. The cat little trays aren't that much different but obviously the roots aren't as contained as they are in the cells.  I have a cell tray I started a while back which should be starting to bulk up shortly either that or prove it's a fruitless exercise, just wondered if anyone had tried it.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Lardman on April 09, 2015, 17:05
Quick update on this for anyone who's interested.

I had to give them a quick splash of liquid feed last week, and I think I'll try a 12cell tray rather than a 20 but it looks like a real radish to me  :) variety is saxa 2.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: davetoddy on April 09, 2015, 17:35
nice one. I bet a cell tray of red radish looks cool
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Growster... on April 09, 2015, 19:55
Goferit!

Ours are an inch high and looking good!
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Auntiemogs on April 09, 2015, 20:40
Nice one Lardy!  :D   Seems worth a punt to me...
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: barley on April 10, 2015, 00:05
what about trying a plastic or tin foil food tray ( the ones we all put out in the weekly recyle bin ) - there a bit deeper  ;)
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Lardman on April 11, 2015, 13:36
what about trying a plastic or tin foil food tray ( the ones we all put out in the weekly recyle bin ) - there a bit deeper  ;)

I use mushy tubs for most things, burn a few drainage holes and they're nice and deep, but the cell trays are easier, use less compost and less space. I'll give a 12 Cell version a try today.
Title: Re: Radish in cell trays?
Post by: Bohobumble on April 11, 2015, 14:16
I use those trays my mushrooms come in from the supermarket