Red King 2
Red King 2 is a hybrid root vegetable variety (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus). Harvest begins around day 53; seed germinates in 7-10 days. Set plants 2-3 inches apart. Grow in zones 2-11, full sun. Plants reach 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. Hybrid seed does not come true, so it has to be bought fresh each season rather than saved.
Sowing
Direct sow ¼ inch deep after soil warms to 50°F; suitable for spring and summer sowings
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular, consistent moisture; approximately 1 inch per week
- Soil
- Loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, pH 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 2-3 inches
- Height
- 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Bright red with white tips
- Size
- 1 lb.
- Shape
- Long cylindrical, 5-8 inches long, 2-2½ inches wide
- Flavour
- Mild, crisp, and juicy with subtle sweetness; less peppery than globe radishes, maintaining tender texture even at large sizes
In the kitchen
Fresh sliced in salads, vegetable platters, eaten with butter and salt, quick pickling, fermentation
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, aphids
- Diseases
- Bacterial leaf spot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | July – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | July – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 41
- Protein (g)
- 0.93
- Fat (g)
- 0.24
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 9.58
- Fibre (g)
- 2.8
- Sugars (g)
- 4.74
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 835
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 5.9
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.66
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 13.2
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.138
- Folate (µg)
- 19
- Calcium (mg)
- 33
- Iron (mg)
- 0.3
- Magnesium (mg)
- 12
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 35
- Potassium (mg)
- 320
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.24
- Selenium (µg)
- 0.1
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Red King 2?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other root vegetables with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Red King 2 suits these too.
- Alpine 55 days
- Summer Cross No. 3 55 days
- Chioggia Beet 55 days
- Long Black Spanish Radish 55 days
- Black Spanish Round Radish 55 days
- Nero Tondo Black Spanish Round Radish 55 days