Growing Daikon Radish

I really enjoy daikon radish as purchased at the grocery store. On serveral occasions, I have tried to grow it myself. First of all, I don't know for sure which radish to buy. There are so many varieties listed in Asian seed catalogs, but most are listed as pungent. I like the very non-pungent ones sold in American grocery stores.
I have tried growing a few of them, but the results have been extremely pungent to say the least.
Does anyone know the variety of the one we buy in grocery stores and any cultivation tricks that I could use to make them mild, non-pungent? I am thinking it is getting close to time to plant radishes here in the high desert of New Mexico.
Our winters are rather cold ( with winter temperatures below zero on occasion.) If the variety can't handle freezing, I will plant it in the spring.

Try the Japanese Daikon from Baker Creek:
http://www.rareseeds.com/catlisting.php?cat=45

or the Mooli Mino from Gourmet seeds:
http://www.felcopruners.net/Radish%20Seed%20-%20Winter.0.html

I've generally found that regular radishes will get more pungent in hot weather or if stressed.
Did you grow your radishes in the heat of summer?

I don't think I grew them in the heat of summer, but I am sure these are not the varieties I grew. I will give them a try. How hot is too hot? Thanks.
Betty

This message was edited Aug 13, 2006 10:11 PM

Here are a few links on radish cultivation. Sounds like your previous radishes got too hot or too dry. The optimum radish growing temperature is around 60 degrees according to these sites. I've always thought of radishes as cool weather crops for spring or fall.

http://gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_june_1a_radish.asp

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1305.htm

This message was edited Aug 14, 2006 11:08 AM

Daikon is simply the Japanese word for radish. In the US, most of the time it refers to a winter radish. These have a relatively long maturity and get relatively large. They come in both turnip shapes and carrot shapes. Most of them are not too hot grown in cool conditions and rapid growth. Browse through plant files, for the type that you like. I have grown Black Spanish, Chinese Rose and several others and found that they get hot only when stressed. One of the highly touted cultivars is the watermelon. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/68333/index.html

Thanks, Farmerdill,
Most radishes I grow get hot -- except Cherry Belle and French Breakfast. Maybe that is because of my dry climate and watering 3 times per week. Or maybe I will find growing them over the winter makes a difference. I usually plant them in the spring.
I will check out your plant files. Thanks.
Betty

Actually, I suspect in your zone, you should plant them in late July-August. They are called winter radishes in the same sense as winter squash. They are grown in the fall, harvested when the weather turns cold and stored for winter use. In a root cellar, they store as well as a turnip.