Growing Daikon, also Japanese radish, Lo Bok

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Daikon in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Direct in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Dig daikon carefully. They are rather brittle..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Chervil, cress,lettuce, leeks, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Gherkins, hyssop
  • Mature daikon

A long white radish, milder flavour than the small round or oval radishes. Most varieties of Daikon prefer cooler weather. Have a tendency to 'bolt' or flower early in warm/hot weather. Choose a variety to suit your climate. Grow in deep soil and water regularly. They will grow as big as large parsnips if left but the best flavour seems to be when they are about the size of a carrot.

Can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks if washed and dried and the leaves cut off.

A range of varieties of Daikon is available, some will do better in warm areas.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Daikon

Daikon radish can be eaten simmered, stir fried, grated, pickled or baked. Its leaves are also edible and can be used in recipes that call for turnip greens, and its seeds make sprouts to eat in salads or in sandwiches.

Your comments and tips

26 Nov 10, Kang Koo (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you judge if the Daikon is ready for harvest by the size of the middle stem? My earlier batch was very big.Current batch of daikon is still small but middle stem started growing large. Looks like all the effort in this batch is on flowering. Is the reason due to planting in the wrong month? Thanks
11 Mar 12, Karen Lovadina (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I live in St. Louis , MO. and I planted Daikon directly seeded last October, 2011. I think it was a winter variety but, I'm not sure. Anyway, it lasted all through the winter, which was mild, and now the leasves are about 5 - 6 inches long and the plants are extremely close together. Should I thin them out or will they push each other out? The daikon is only a sliver, literally only as thick as a quarter of a pencil. Thanks for any info you can give me. Karen
17 Mar 17, mark (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Do you still grow daikon radishes and how did they turn out? I live in Kansas City, MO and I was thinking about growing them to eat and improve my soil. Thanks!
12 Mar 12, simon tait (Australia - arid climate)
definately thin them out I'd say. Mine take about a half metre round fully mature so they are quite big plants.
23 Mar 12, gary bailey (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
wher can i buy the seeds in australia, i live in melbourne
12 Aug 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
I picked some up in my local nursery in shepparton. so Im guessing any good nursery would be able to supply
02 Oct 12, Kamenrider (Australia - temperate climate)
Daikon is the Japanese name for this Asian variety of white radish. Dai = Big and Kon = Root. We all know it is no root at all. So, when you go shopping for seeds, you can choose Asian White Radish, Daikon or Luo Pok. They mean the same thing. Normally, Daikon is the biggest, but favour is less intense than the smaller ones (7-8 inches). You can buy seeds online.
21 May 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
Google daikon seeds Australia.
26 Jul 15, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings sells them, I just bought some today- I also live in Melbourne :)
26 Mar 12, TT (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You don't have to wait to the daikon to mature, thinning can be eaten like radish. the baby leaves are also editible.
Showing 1 - 10 of 64 comments

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