planting out beetroot

[w33blegurl]

I've sown my beetroot seeds in little modules (rather than risking slug devastation in the plot) and most of the modules have 2-3 seedlings in them. When I plant them out should I thin them down to one per plug or pop them out as a clump?
thanks as always!
julia

[Two_Sheds]

clump is fine. Harvest some small, leave the rest to grow on, bigger

[VirginVegGrower]

I plant as a clump and they push themselves apart as they grow the root.

[veggiechicken]

Did you sow one seed per module or several? Each seed forms a clump and can be planted out as a clump. If you've sown several seeds per module you may want to split them on planting out.
Does that make sense - I hope so 'cos I'm confused

[binley100]

I know what you mean ......

[veggiechicken]

Can you explain it to me please Bins!!

[binley100]

I'll try........ generally beetroot seeds are multi something and each corky seed is in fact several so when you sow each corky thing you get more than one seedling ......kapeesh ?

[veggiechicken]

Now I know why you're a Master Gardener

[binley100]

I'll remember what the something is in the middle of the night

[veggiechicken]

I'll remember what the something is in the middle of the night

And while you're remembering that, what about a cluster or a monogerm? (Yep, I goggled )

[binley100]

Cheat ....

[veggiechicken]

I'm sure there's another name for Cluster - like multigerm, or polygerm or lottagerm.............

[wizzbang]

I like the corky bit, very descriptive and very apt.
I'm really happy with my beetroot seedlings. I hope they turn into more than one little beetroot each. They have their proper leaves now and are about two inches tall. When shall I put them in the ground and whos bed should they lie in... carrots or cabbage, salads or onions ... what are they? know what I mean?
Lynne x

[bazzaboy]

I'm sure there's another name for Cluster - like multigerm, or polygerm or lottagerm.............

RHS Veg and Fruit Gardening (2002) calls them both "multigerm" and "cluster" so you probably can't do better than that.... (tho personally I prefer your "lottagerm" ). One authority (sorry, can't recall who) suggests if you want to sow separate seed you can lightly roll the cluster/multigerm seed on a hard surface with a rolling pin (or very gentle use of pestle and mortar) and it will separate into viable individual seeds. Also there are some single (monogerm!) beetroot seed varieties available these days, e.g. Marshall's Monika Beetroot. But personally I prefer growing in clusters which reduces weeding per plant, makes any necessary watering easier and makes much better sense if growing in containers or a restricted space. (p.s. likewise onions.)

[binley100]

I stick 'em in with roots ........