Growing beetroot which now looks to be going to seed. There are still no bulbs. Should it bulb before going to seed? I made sure the soil was not too rich, and I added Boron. When do I get the bulbs? If it is going to seed will I ever get bulbs or should I pull it out? I am grow ing hte Sydney region.
I’ve only grown it a few times but mine never got to the seeding stage before being eaten.
once it has gone to seed I doubt it will get bulbs. Not sure why it hasn’t developed them though. Tell us a bit more about what you have done. Were they seedling or did you grow from seed. When did you plant them. Have they ever dried out or suffered some sort shock like very hot weather. Where approx. do you live climate wise.
bluegreen said:
once it has gone to seed I doubt it will get bulbs. Not sure why it hasn’t developed them though. Tell us a bit more about what you have done. Were they seedling or did you grow from seed. When did you plant them. Have they ever dried out or suffered some sort shock like very hot weather. Where approx. do you live climate wise.
ok. you said Sydney region.
some suggestions are:
timing – planted late in the season not allowing enough time for bulb development before the days started getting longer triggering flowering
overcrowding – not enough room for bulb development
too much nitrogen – grows lush tops at expense of root development (although this does not sound like your problem)
stress – a sudden onset of heat or the soil drying out causing stress to trigger flowering
bluegreen said:
some suggestions are:timing – planted late in the season not allowing enough time for bulb development before the days started getting longer triggering flowering
overcrowding – not enough room for bulb development
too much nitrogen – grows lush tops at expense of root development (although this does not sound like your problem)
stress – a sudden onset of heat or the soil drying out causing stress to trigger flowering
you could add pH (needs slightly acid 6.5), not enough or too much sun (i’m not sure of sydney but they grow in full sun during winter here in adelaide), lack of drainage, lack of thinning.
BG’s first one – planted too late in winter – is the most likely
Timing is everything for swollen roots but harvesting leaves to eat is never out of the question. Allowing one or two plants to seed ensures that the seedis ripe to be falling on the soil at the correct time though.
My soils is generally alkaline and I get beetroot to work. Sydney probably never really gets cold though.roughbarked said:
Timing is everything for swollen roots but harvesting leaves to eat is never out of the question. Allowing one or two plants to seed ensures that the seedis ripe to be falling on the soil at the correct time though. My soils is generally alkaline and I get beetroot to work. Sydney probably never really gets cold though.
my soil is alkaline and i get beetroot too – but pH is the factor that determines availibity of boron and its mates.
good tips about self sown seeds showing the local planting time and eating the leaves.
justin said:
roughbarked said:
Timing is everything for swollen roots but harvesting leaves to eat is never out of the question. Allowing one or two plants to seed ensures that the seedis ripe to be falling on the soil at the correct time though. My soils is generally alkaline and I get beetroot to work. Sydney probably never really gets cold though.my soil is alkaline and i get beetroot too – but pH is the factor that determines availibity of boron and its mates.
good tips about self sown seeds showing the local planting time and eating the leaves.
I did say it was generally alkaline. Didn’t say I bothered much about measuring altering Ph. Never measured Boron nor added any. My soil is calcrete with organic matter tossed on top. My beetroot is sweet, grated raw. Had some today and thought it was the best part of the salad lunch.
Thanks for that. I think that timing was probably the most likely cause. Will try again.