"Ahnuld" Schwarzenradish

[bsfman]

Pulled this bad boy out of one of my growbeds this afternoon. I've named him "Ahnuld Schwarzenradish". "Heah me naow und beleef me laduh! I am heah to pomp you opp!"

"Ahnuld", as you can see from the pics, is about the size of a medium potato. He weighed exactly half a pound! That's about a week's worth of radish at our rate of consumption between my wife and me! I have really large hands and in the third pic, you can see that Ahnuld completely fills my hand! You can't convince me that aquaponics systems aren't productive! :lol:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk306/tarvus33991/aquaponics/Arnold1.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk306/tarvus33991/aquaponics/Arnold2.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk306/tarvus33991/aquaponics/Arnold3.jpg

[bbikebbs]

All I say is WOW!!!

What media do you use in the gb?

[bsfman]

All I say is WOW!!!

What media do you use in the gb?

Just pea gravel from Home Depot. If I remember correctly, the radishes were planted Sept 24th, so just over 2 months ago. I've been harvesting them for weeks.

[bbikebbs]

You just "dashed" one of my preconceptions! I didn't think that root crops would grow in gravel. Now I'm going to have to find some seeds!

[urbanfarmer]

THE PICTURES TELL THEIR OWN STORY... ENJOY...

http://oi47.tinypic.com/erzrid.jpg

http://oi50.tinypic.com/11uhi6v.jpg

http://oi45.tinypic.com/yfjpw.jpg

[urbanfarmer]

You just "dashed" one of my preconceptions! I didn't think that root crops would grow in gravel. Now I'm going to have to find some seeds!
It's not a true root crop! :-) The radish grows above the medium. Something like a carrot would definitely have trouble in gravel (disfigured). Some if not all types of potatoes might have trouble too. Disney tried sweet potatoes (I believe) and it didn't come out in their aquaponics system. You can do it, but you have to consider the required environment for some plants for the proper vegetable development (otherwise you're just growing leaves, haha).

[bsfman]

I grew carrots last year with decent results the carrots were ugly looking, but plentiful and tasty!:)

[Oliver]

bsfman,

I would like to know what your flood and drain time is. As I understand, root veggies need to need lots of "dry" time.

Oliver

[bsfman]

bsfman,

I would like to know what your flood and drain time is. As I understand, root veggies need to need lots of "dry" time.

Oliver

Somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes Oliver. The carrots were actually grown last year in one of my old systems that had a 5 min flood/drain cycle. The radishes in the 15/20 min cycle.

[David - WI]

It's big... but what about flavor/texture/etc?

[bsfman]

It's big... but what about flavor/texture/etc?

Haven't tasted it yet, David. Wouldn't surprise me if its woody and dry. Will report when I try it.

[David - WI]

It's big... but what about flavor/texture/etc?

Haven't tasted it yet, David. Wouldn't surprise me if its woody and dry. Will report when I try it.

I hope not... I love radishes; but the ones in the grocery store here are mushy and kind of gross. :(

My biggest (well, one of my biggest) concern is that our produce be "better" quality (flavor, texture, color, size) than whatever else is available around here. If not, my plan is doomed.

[davidstcldfl]

I keep laughing every time I look at bsfman and uf's pictures... :lol:

David-WI, I'm wondering what the big one tastes like too....?

If you didn't see this, I'm trying root crops in a different way, in ap...
look at the Nov 19th post...
New work @ Sahib Aquaponics (http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/showthread.php?1333-New-work-Sahib-Aquaponics/page2)

I think the tomatoes in the grow bags, with dirt, are going to have more flavor too

[bsfman]

Sliced it open and sampled it this evening. Absolutely delicious flavor and good texture. Nice and spicy too! :)

[David - WI]

Sliced it open and sampled it this evening. Absolutely delicious flavor and good texture. Nice and spicy too! :)
Sweet... you made my day!

[NeverResting]

My wife is going to kill me. Seeing all these veggies on here is making me want to convert my unused yard space into an aquaponics haven. She doesn't like clutter and enjoys the grass... sheesh

[davidstcldfl]

Sliced it open and sampled it this evening. Absolutely delicious flavor and good texture. Nice and spicy too! :)
Sweet... you made my day!
8-)