Beta vulgaris - Crassa group
Amaranthaceae
Beetroot
Biennial herb grown as an annual for its edible swollen tap root. Leaves ovate to oblong-ovate. Basal leaves with long petioles.
Uses
Do not leave plants in the ground during periods of cold weather.
Harvest 9-10 weeks after planting, when tap root has swollen to the size of a tennis ball.
Can be eaten fresh, boiled or preserved in vinegar. Vegetable.
Culture
Soak seeds for 24 hours before sowing. Seed germinates in soil temperatures of 15-20 degrees C. Plant from late winter to late summer. Requires an open position, but will grow in semi-shade.
Prefers deep, light, sandy soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Requires high levels of potassium. Is prone to manganese and boron deficiency. Prefers soil pH of 6.0-6.5
Has few pest problems, but can suffer from rust and leaf spot.
Keep the site weed free.
http://osu.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/beetch.html
Propagation
No information available at this time...
Cultivars
No information available at this time...
Plant Health
No information available at this time...
More info
'Home Vegetable Growing' and 'Commercial Vegetable Production' courses through Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/hort.
'Commercial Hydroponics' on CDROM from Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/shop
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