I remember seeing a video that mentioned how difficult it is to grow wasabi. Do you have a picture of your wasabi garden? Don’t they need a continuous flow of water at a specific temperature?
I’m growing wasabi and have tried a few different methods. Initially, I planted five wasabi plants in a mix of compost and topsoil, but the mix became too dense, stunting their growth. So, I transplanted them, removing as much soil from the roots as possible, and moved them to a flower bed with a layer of small stones and a cactus/succulent mix. Now, they’re flourishing like never before!
I grow them in a polytunnel shaded by a wineberry bush. If the temperature exceeds 16°C, they tend to wilt, acting a bit like drama queens. They don’t need a continuous stream of water, just regular watering as needed.
I gave it a try, but the pest pressure was too much, and the foliage got eaten. If I attempt it again, I’ll definitely need to install an insect barrier.
Have you tried using an irritant like horseradish wasabi powder on the leaves to discourage pests?
Yo, I heard you like Wasabi, so we put Wasabi in your Wasabi!
I might give it another try next year with an insect barrier. It’s in a shady corner of the property, so it’s not a high priority at the moment.
Thanks for asking the exact question I was thinking of!
That’s so cool! How did it taste??
Just like horseradish!!
I’m kidding. I’d love to know too. Part of me hopes it tastes amazing and different from horseradish, giving me a fun goal to aim for. But another part of me wants it to taste like horseradish so I don’t feel like I’ve been missing out all these years.
The taste is subtler and has a “cooler” heat compared to horseradish. It’s very fresh and sweet, but still packs a kick.
Sometimes you can pay extra at sushi restaurants to get the real thing. I splurged once! 