Common horseradish Armoracia rusticana might be the only type you will find. There is also Armoracia rusticana 'Variegata', which is more ornamental with marbled leaves. Wasabi is known as Japanese horseradish. And in fact horseradish and wasabi plants come from the same family. They both have spicy flavors, though they are distinct. Spring-planted horseradish roots will be ready to harvest in October or November. Harvest the roots ideally after a few frosts, which improve the flavor, but before the ground freezes.
Dig around the base of the plant, and lift the large, central root plus as many of the smaller roots as possible. Cut down the foliage, leaving only about an inch, and scrub the roots clean of dirt.
Let them dry thoroughly. If you are worried about horseradish taking over your garden, growing it in a container might be a better option for you. You'll need a sizable container with at least a inch depth for the roots to grow. Drainage holes are a must for the container.
And unglazed clay is a recommended material to allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. Plant the roots the same as if you were planting them in the ground. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dries out, and fertilize monthly. As a horseradish plant starts to grow, it will send up multiple shoots. Each shoot is forming small roots and taking energy from the plant.
To get one large root like what you would purchase in a store, remove all but one or two of the shoots to allow them to grow larger. The tradeoff of this method is you won't have as many small roots to propagate your plant.
The most common way to propagate horseradish plants is by saving root cuttings. Another option is simply to leave these side roots in the ground over the winter. However, this can result in aggressive spread in the garden. Horseradish is not commonly grown from seeds because the growing season is too short in most areas. But it is possible to start seeds indoors in January or February and transplant the seedling outdoors in April. Use peat pots that can be transplanted directly into the ground to avoid disturbing roots.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and you should see germination in one to two weeks. Use a loose, organic, quality potting mix for horseradish. One that's labeled for vegetable growth often works well. It's best to plant horseradish in a container that can fit its mature size right from the start, as repotting can disturb its root growth. If you are growing horseradish as an annual and harvesting all its roots to consume, there's no need to worry about overwintering.
But to propagate plants, you can save roots in a root cellar or leave them in the ground. In cold climates, add a thick layer of mulch over the roots to protect them.
Few pests bother the roots of horseradish. Simply snip off any damaged leaves to prevent the crop from become too unsightly, and remove dead growth from around the crown of the plants in autumn. Unlike so many other edibles, this is a tough, easy to look after herb that is rarely troubled by any pests or diseases. Plants can be grown by seed, but it is far easier to raise from pieces of root, known as thongs, which are available from specialist growers in spring or from pot-grown plants that can be bought all year round.
To grow in pots, fill with multi-purpose compost including peat free media, make some deep vertical holes with dibber, then drop in a thong so that the top is 5cm 2in beneath the surface of the compost and cover. Three thongs in a 30cm 12in container is ideal.
Place in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Growth will soon appear from above the surface of the compost or soil in spring. It is also easy to grow in garden soil but can become a weed unless carefully managed.
Take action Why take action? Support us Donate Careers Commercial opportunities Leave a legacy. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work Join now. Hot links Browse inspiration articles Buy plants online. Buy tickets. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. In addition to being popular in the kitchen, the horseradish plant has its fans — and a history — in the medicinal plant world, too.
The exact origins of the plant are unknown, but evidence suggests that Egyptians knew of this spicy, edible root years ago, and ancient Greeks believed it to be an aphrodisiac. The plant also plays a historic role in the Passover Seder plate, an important tradition of the Jewish faith that continues to this day. This aromatic came to North America during the time of European colonization, with commercial production beginning in the mids. The leaves are said to be an analgesic, the flowers are made into a tea that is said to fight colds, and a compound in the root has been shown to have antibacterial properties.
Horseradish is a member of the Cruciferae family , the same group from which cabbages , broccoli , and Brussels sprouts come. Wasabi, sometimes called Japanese horseradish, is actually a totally different plant: Wasabi japonica. In North America, of course, we know wasabi as the fiery accompaniment to sushi and sashimi. But because true wasabi is very difficult to cultivate outside of Japan, what is sold and served here is very rarely the real deal.
Horseradish is divided into two general types. In fact, sourcing this somewhat elusive product to plant can be a bit tricky; your best bet is to find an online source, as most garden centers will not have this item.
Organic Horseradish Roots, 1 Pound. In contrast to its spicy-hot nature, this plant is fond of cool conditions. It does well in zones , but time your plantings according to local weather patterns. Before planting, thoroughly and deeply incorporate inches of organic matter and 2 ounces of all purpose, granular fertilizer per square yard of planting area, according to Utah State University Cooperative Extension.
Keep in mind that this plant can be invasive, so pick a spot carefully, or plant in a container. Another consideration: the plants can grow to as tall as 3 feet, and their large leaves may shade out surrounding vegetation. Space the sets one foot apart, setting them at a degree angle, with the square-cut end higher than the angled end. Make sure that the square cut ends are all facing in the same direction, recommends University of Minnesota Extension. Horseradish is quite drought tolerant, but the roots can become woody and weak-flavored if they go too long without water.
If rain is scarce, give the plants 1 to 2 inches of water once a week. But take care not to give them too much water, because the roots will become soft and have a bitter flavor. You can mix the nitrogen with water and apply it as a solution, or you can simply sprinkle granular nitrogen around the base of your plants and water it in. And speaking of leaves, you can actually harvest the tender, young ones and add them to salads for a slightly spicy kick.
If your plants go to flower, just enjoy the show. Likely due to its pungency, few pests affect these plants, but keep an eye out for flea beetles and beet leafhoppers. Treat these bugs with insecticidal soap or diatomaceous earth.
This plant can be susceptible to various foliar diseases, such as white rust, which can be treated with fungicides. Harvest the long, white, tapered roots in late fall or winter, once frost has killed the leaves. With luck, this will be just in time to make a fabulous sauce for a holiday prime rib.
0コメント