Beetroot

[greenfingers007]

Hi All,

I have planted 98 beetroot in cells (single sed to one cell) and they are all germinating fantastically however I have noticed that in the majority of cells there are two plants germinating and I know I only placed one seed per cell.

?

[zazen999]

Beetroot seeds are collections of seeds, not single seeds.

[greenfingers007]

oh! didn't know that will they be o.k. to seperate when I go to plant them in? or should I do that now or should I cut the weakest one off?

[womble]

I always chop em off. But I do wait until they get a bit bigger, in case of any losses.

[zazen999]

I plant them in the same state, and pull the bigger one off once it is eatable size, leaving the other one to carry on and get eaten a few weeks later.

[greenfingers007]

cheers all.

[sewer rat]

If this works for you then all well and good. If you would rather have a single plant per cell, try growing an F1 monogerm variety - Moneta and Solo are the ones that spring to mind.

[ecoprincess]

I'm glad I saw this post! I sowed 12 beetroot seeds in a tray and the tray is full to bursting with seedlings, I wondered why that was!

[Alice]

I just plant them as they are. They push each other out of the way. Harvest the thinnings and let the ones left behind get bigger. I like the baby beets.

[helly]

hi is it too early to put them outside I've been hardening them off each day
cheers

[zazen999]

Helly, I sowed mine outdoors and planted out yesterday.

As long as you harden them off, they will be fine. They are relatively hardy, I still have some in the ground from last winter that I am leaving to go to seed.

[sewer rat]

I have Chiogga and some Golden beetroot in cells for the posh walled garden, but for my own place I sow direct with a monogerm variety. Hopefully get the first 100m sown next week.

[helly]

thanks for that I guess I know what I'll be planting 2mor. I will plant out the ones I've hardened off and then sow seeds direct for the rest
cheers