Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group) 'Tokyo Cross'

RHS Plant Profile
turnip 'Tokyo Cross'
turnip 'Tokyo Cross' Michael John Day
Award of Garden Merit
Annual Biennial

An annual vegetable grown for its edible tap root. A very quick maturing, pure white variety forming a perfect globe shape with a smooth texture and good flavour. It can typically be harvested 35-60 days from harvesting. Suitable for container growing

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Clay

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Sow early from March to May for an early Summer harvest or sow July to August for a late Summer and Autumn harvest. Suitable for container growing. See turnip cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillar, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, flea beetles, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to black rot, club root, downy mildew, grey mould, leaf spot