Hybrid

Red King 2

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

Wikimedia Commons

Mild, crisp, and juicy into late maturity (like KN-Bravo, but sweeter). Remarkably uniform. Tall, upright tops with red and green petioles. A beauty on display, especially when paired with purple and white daikons. Root size adaptable to plant spacing. Can produce radishes over 1 lb., 5-8" long x 2-2 1/2" wide. Slow bolting and good field-holding ability. For both spring and summer sowings.

Harvest

53d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Red King 2 in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Red King 2 · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing2-3 inches

SoilLoose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, pH 6.0-7.0

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; approximately 1 inch per week

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, crisp, and juicy with subtle sweetness; less peppery than globe radishes, maintaining tender texture even at large sizes

ColorBright red with white tips

Size1 lb.

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	—	—	June – July	July – September
Zone 2	—	—	May – July	July – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 12	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 13	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December

Succession Planting

Red King 2 matures in about 53 days and doesn't keep producing after harvest, so succession sowing is the only way to get a continuous supply. Direct sow every 14–21 days from early March through late April for a spring run. Resume in mid-August and sow every 14 days through late September for a fall run. Stop spring sowings once daytime highs are consistently hitting 80–85°F — daikon bolts fast in heat, and the roots turn pithy and sharp-tasting before you can use them.

The fall window is often the better one. Soil temperatures below 70°F produce denser, milder roots, and flea beetle pressure typically drops after the first light frost. A late September sowing in zone 7 should be harvestable by mid-November with a layer of straw mulch over the bed.

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Spread: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Ready for harvest in 53 days from sowing or transplant. Harvest at peak ripeness for best flavor and storage life. Pick regularly to encourage continued production where applicable.

Storage & Preservation

Red King 2 radishes store best in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, maintaining temperatures between 32–40°F with 95% humidity. Remove any attached greens before storage to prevent moisture loss from the roots. Under these conditions, expect a fresh shelf life of 3–4 weeks. For longer preservation, fermentation works exceptionally well with this variety; slice thinly, pack with salt at 2–3% by weight, and keep submerged in brine for 2–4 weeks at room temperature. Freezing is also viable—blanch sliced radishes for 2–3 minutes, cool quickly, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months, though texture softens. Pickling is another option: pack raw or lightly blanched slices into jars with vinegar, spices, and sugar. Red King 2's crisp flesh holds its texture well through these preservation methods better than many round varieties, making it particularly suited to fermented applications where crunch is desirable.

History & Origin

Red King 2 is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Mediterranean

Advantages

+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
+Quick harvest — ready in about 53 days
+Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 2-11

Companion Plants

Chives and nasturtiums are the companions worth actually planning around. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) emit sulfur compounds that disrupt aphid host-finding — a real benefit since aphids cluster on daikon foliage through summer — and their shallow, fibrous roots don't compete with the 18-inch taproot Red King 2 puts down. Nasturtiums pull double duty as a trap crop, drawing flea beetles and aphids off the radish before either pest population builds. Once nasturtium stems are crawling with insects, pull the whole plant and drop it in a bucket of soapy water. Carrots, lettuce, and spinach share the bed without friction because they feed at different soil depths and don't shade the radish crown.

Brassicas are the plants to exclude — cabbage, broccoli, kale, and turnips all share the same pest lineup as daikon: flea beetles, cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum), and Fusarium oxysporum in the soil. Grouping them concentrates every one of those problems in one spot. Hyssop is worth avoiding too; it has shown allelopathic effects on neighboring root vegetables in close plantings, and there's no upside that offsets it.

Plant Together

Carrots

Break up soil for radish growth and utilize different soil depths

Lettuce

Quick harvest leaves space for radish development, shallow roots don't compete

Spinach

Cool-season companion with similar growing requirements and non-competing root systems

Chives

Repel root maggots and aphids that commonly attack radishes

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, protecting radish leaves

Marigolds

Deter nematodes and root pests while improving soil health

Peas

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide natural trellis without shading low-growing radishes

Cucumber

Radishes repel cucumber beetles while cucumbers provide ground cover

Keep Apart

Brassica crops

Share same pests like flea beetles and clubroot disease, increasing infestation risk

Hyssop

Strong aromatic oils can inhibit radish germination and root development

Turnips

Compete for same nutrients and space, both being root vegetables with similar needs

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, aphids

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew

Troubleshooting Red King 2

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Small, ragged holes scattered across young leaves, worst on seedlings in the first 2–3 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) — tiny black or bronze beetles that jump when disturbed
Seedlings are most vulnerable before they hit 4 true leaves

What to Do

1.Cover the bed with floating row cover at sowing and keep it on until plants are established
2.If beetles are already present, dust with kaolin clay — reapply after rain
3.Nasturtiums planted along the bed edge act as a trap crop; check them daily and knock beetles into soapy water

Plants wilting from the crown down despite adequate soil moisture, roots showing dark or rotted tissue at the base

Likely Causes

Cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum) — larvae tunnel into the root, opening the door to secondary rot
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) — a soil-borne fungus that causes similar above-ground collapse

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants; do not compost them
2.Place sticky yellow traps near the soil surface to catch adult Delia flies before they lay eggs
3.Rotate this bed out of all brassica-family crops for at least 2 seasons; Fusarium persists in soil and rotation is the main lever available

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, appearing in warm weather as the canopy fills in

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal disease that thrives in dry conditions at moderate temperatures (60–80°F), not wet ones
Dense planting below 2-inch spacing that cuts airflow between leaves

What to Do

1.Thin to the recommended 2–3 inch spacing early; crowded plants are the fastest path to an outbreak
2.Spray affected foliage with potassium bicarbonate mixed per label, or a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water)
3.NC State Extension's disease management guidance points to varietal resistance as the first line of defense — if your seed source lists a mildew-resistant label on future purchases, note it

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red King 2 take to grow?▼

Red King 2 reaches harvest maturity in approximately 53 days from direct sowing. You can begin harvesting smaller roots (1–1½ inches) at 4–5 weeks for the crispest texture, or wait for full-size 5–8 inch roots at full maturity. The variety's slow-bolting nature means you can leave mature roots in the ground for an additional 2–3 weeks without significant quality decline, effectively extending your harvest window.

Is Red King 2 a good radish for beginners?▼

Yes, Red King 2 is excellent for beginners. It's a hybrid variety bred for reliability, germinates quickly, grows vigorously, and tolerates minor mistakes better than many radish types. The main requirement is consistent watering and loose soil—provide those basics, and you'll succeed. Its field-holding ability means you won't lose the crop if you forget to harvest on the exact right day.

What's the difference between Red King 2 and other long radish varieties?▼

Red King 2 differs from standard globe radishes in size and bolt resistance, but it's milder and sweeter than many Asian daikon-type radishes despite reaching similar dimensions. Unlike traditional daikons developed for storage and cooking, Red King 2 maintains the crisp, fresh texture and mild bite ideal for raw eating at any size. Its ornamental upright foliage and slow bolting are intentional breeding improvements absent in older varieties.

Can you grow Red King 2 in containers?▼

Yes, Red King 2 grows well in containers with minimum 10–12 inches of depth. Use loose potting mix (not garden soil), keep it consistently moist, and provide full sun. For container growing, space roots 3–4 inches apart to encourage moderate sizing (2–4 inches) rather than jumbo roots, which require more space to develop properly.

What does Red King 2 taste like?▼

Red King 2 is notably mild, crisp, and juicy with a subtle sweetness that intensifies as roots mature. Unlike peppery globe radishes or hot Asian varieties, it delivers a gentle radish flavor suitable for eating raw in salads, on vegetable platters, or with butter and salt. The sweetness distinguishes it from standard icicle-type radishes, making it appealing to gardeners seeking less assertive radish varieties.

When should I plant Red King 2 for spring and summer crops?▼

Direct sow Red King 2 4 weeks before your last spring frost for a spring crop, and again 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost for a summer/fall crop. It germinates best in soil temperatures 50–70°F. Avoid planting during peak summer heat (above 75°F) unless you can provide afternoon shade, which slows bolting but extends days to maturity. Succession sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvests.