Karaine Giant White Daikon Radish, Hybrid Seeds

Karaine Giant White Daikon Radish, Hybrid Seeds — The Japanese Market Daikon With 20-Inch Roots and Frost-Sweetened Flavor

Few vegetables command the garden quite like a fully grown daikon — and Karaine is one of the finest Japanese daikon hybrids you can grow. Bred for exceptional size, uniformity, and market quality, Karaine produces massive, smooth-skinned white roots that reach 50 cm (20 inches) long and weigh over 2 kg (4–5 lbs). This is the daikon of Japanese home kitchens and farmers’ markets alike — crisp, juicy, and endlessly versatile. Plant it in fall for the best flavor and size. A touch of frost only makes it sweeter.

Why Grow Karaine Daikon?

• Impressive size — roots reach 35–50 cm (14–20 inches) long with smooth, bright white skin and dense, juicy flesh
• Hybrid quality — superior uniformity, yield, and disease resistance compared to open-pollinated daikon varieties
• Exceptional flavor — mild and slightly peppery raw; sweet and mellow when cooked or pickled; improves after light frost
• Natural soil improvement — deep taproot breaks up compacted soil as it grows
• Long harvest window — harvest young for milder flavor or let reach full size for maximum yield
• Edible tops — sauté with garlic or add to miso soup

In the Kitchen

Karaine shines across the full spectrum of Asian cuisine. Grate fresh as daikon oroshi alongside tempura or grilled fish. Cube and ferment into Korean kkakdugi kimchi. Simmer thick rounds in Japanese oden or buri daikon. Pickle into golden takuan. Or slice thin for a refreshing salad with sesame and rice vinegar. The leaves are equally at home in a quick stir-fry or a bowl of miso soup.

Growing Notes

Direct sow only — does not transplant well. Sow ½ inch deep, thin to 6–8 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart. Deep, loose, well-draining, fertile soil is essential for straight, uniform roots — avoid rocky or compacted ground. Water consistently to prevent cracking and pithy texture. Fall is the primary season for best size and flavor; spring sowing also works in cool climates. Light frost improves sweetness; can overwinter in mild climates.

Days to maturity: 55–65 days
Root size: 35–50 cm (14–20 inches), 2+ kg (4–5 lbs)
Type: Hybrid, Non-GMO
Spacing: 6–8 inches
Sun: Full sun
USDA Zones: 3–12