Growing Beetroot In Containers Information

Growing Beetroot in Containers:

The following is all about growing Beetroot in containers.

Beetroot is a cool season tasty vegetable grown, consumed all over the world. Beetroots can be grown easily in containers, Beetroots are easy and quick grown vegetable that doesn’t require special care. Attractive foliage of the Beetroot plants adds beauty to your container garden or balcony.

About Beetroot

Beetroot is the root portion of the beet-root plant originated from North America. Both the roots and leaves of the plant are for consumed, these are rich nutrient food. Beetroots is used for food coloring and for medicinal plant.

Scientific Name: Beta-Vulgaris.

Plant type- Biennial vegetable.

Beetroot in other Languages:

• English: Beetroot/beets.
• Tamil: Beet.
• Malayalam: Beetroot.
• Telugu: Beetroot.
• Kannada: Beetroot.
• Hindi: Chukander.
• Konkani: Beetroot.
• Marathi: Biitt.

Many varieties of Beetroots are available for cultivation. Beetroots generally takes 55 to 65 days to harvest. Beetroot leaves can be harvested at the earliest. There are many varieties of beet-root comes in many colors like deep red, yellow, white, and they are in different shape circles, bulb shape, cylindrical shapes.

Some varieties suitable for growing Beetroot in containers

• Albino- this Beetroot variety has white root.
• Early Wonder beet-root, this variety Beetroot plants has tasty leaves. This variety is best to grow in containers. And harvesting period is 50 to 60 days.
• Bulls Blood verities Beetroot seeds: This is a best option to grow in containers. And harvesting period is 45-60 days.
• Detroit Dark Red Medium Top Heirloom variety: This variety is also going well with containers, and harvesting period is 55 to 65 days.
• Mini Ball and Baby Bal these variety Beetroots are suited for growing in containers. The harvesting period to 60 to 70 days.
• Boltardy: This variety is best to grow in containers. This variety has two colors, white and golden.
• Barbaietika di Chioggia: this variety is suited for both on the ground and containers. Harvesting period is 60 to 70 days.
• Sangria.
• Touchstone Gold this variety Beetroot has yellow root.
• Chioggia variety Beetroot that has distinct red and white zoned root.
• Red Ace is a hybrid variety beet root.
• Ruby Queen.

Seeds for growing Beetroot in containers

• Select the best quality seeds for trusted supplier.
• It is good to study the reviews about seeds and supplier in the internet.
• Even can consult some gardening shops or nurseries or organic plant stores before buying the seeds.
• Surfing in the internet will also give some good information about the best quality seeds supplier.
• And collect the complete information about growing beet-root varieties like suitable climate, soil, harvesting period, color and texture, etc.

Best time to growing Beetroot in containers

• Beetroot is a cold season vegetable, it grows well in cool climates.
• So, you can grow them the spring or winter.
• You can sow the seeds till the temperature is below 28°C.
• Even you can sow in late summer and post monsoon.
• Beetroots seed germination rate will be very low when the temperature is more than 29°C.

Suitable container for growing Beetroot in containers

• Beetroot is a root vegetable, so it’s grown in the soil, for this type of root vegetables you need to choose large and deep containers. Depth is important while choosing containers as the root should get enough space to grow freely.
• Ideal container size for growing beet-root is 10 to 12 inches deep and 20 cm wide.
• More the width of the container, more the number of plants.
• You can choose a clay container, window boxes, iron boxes, barrels, plastic bags/grow bags with good width and recommended depth are best to grow Beetroot plants.
• The container should have minimum 2 drainage holes. This helps maintain the water levels of soil.

Soil for growing Beetroot in containers

• Select a nutrient soil mixed with good quality potting mix.
• The pH levels of soil should 6.5 to 7.
• Adding natural compost to soil also promotes the growth of plants.
• Soil you select should be nutrient rich, loamy, well-drained, without any stones and pebbles are best to grow to Beetroots.
• Beetroot grows well in potting soils free from stone, pebbles and hard lumps.
• Any obstruction in soil may affect the roots and they get deformed.
• Ideal potting mix for beet-root in container- equal parts of soil + well-rotted manure + perlite.
• If you want to prepare soilless mix you use peat moss or cocopeat in place of soil.
• Otherwise, you can buy the ready made potting mixes in the market.

Seed planting for growing Beetroot in containers

• Before sowing seeds, soaking the seeds in water overnight will speeds up the germination.
• Take the selected container and place thin layers of small rocks at the bottom. This layer promotes proper soil drainage. Rocks at the bottom prevent the water logging.
• Fill the container with potting mix loosely, tap the containers gently to level the soil and adjust the soil level with your fingertips.
• Leave ½ inch gap between the surface of the soil and the rim of the container.
• Make a ½ inch deep hole and plant the seeds inches apart. You can plant seeds in containers in all the directions.
• Cover the seeds well with the potting mix without exposure to the sun.
• Water the containers and keep the soil moist till they sprout.
• Don’t over water the containers, and don’t keep the soil wet. You should maintain adequate moisture levels in soil.
• Seeds takes a couple of weeks for germination depending on weather conditions.
• Once the seeds germinate, thin out the seedling so that they stand three inches apart. Once all the seeds sprout, remove the extra seedling giving the enough space to grow.
• Thinning of seedling should be done using scissors.
• After the age of 1 month, start fertilizing your plants.

Transplanting method for growing Beetroot in containers

• Beetroot is a root vegetable, so transplantation may kill the plant.
• Main crucial part is to find the best time to transplant.
• The best time to transplant the seedling is, when the seedling has at least 2 true leaves.
• Take modular tray, fill them with potting mix and sow the seeds.
• When seeds sprout, and true leaves appear, dig out little soil and check the root establishment.
• When roots established and are strong enough to hold the soil.
• Transplant them to large containers.
• Plant the seedling giving 3 inches space between the plants.
• And follow the above procedure grow.
• Or you can buy the seedling from the garden centers or nurseries and transplant them in your containers.

Best place for growing Beetroots in containers

• Beetroot grows well in all types of weather, so you can place the containers in windows, balcony or in the terrace etc.
• Make sure the container gets 5 to 6 hours of complete sunlight with good fresh air.

Sunlight for growing Beetroot in containers

• Beetroot plant needs sufficient amount of sunlight to grow well.
• Always place the container in a place where you get more sunlight.
• Beetroots plant needs at least 8 hours of sunlight to grow daily.

Watering for growing Beetroot in containers

• In the germination process, seed needs more water.
• Water your plant in proper proportion for soft, juicy Beetroots.
• Once they sprout root take water from the So, you should keep the soil moist all the time.
• During rainy season, water the plant once in 5 to 6 days. As the rain water may flow into the plant.
• In summer season, water the plant regularly to keep soil moist in hot weather.
• In summer you can cover the soil with coconut husk or coco peat. As it holds water prevents the soil from drying out.

Fertilizers for growing Beetroot in containers

• Using mild fertilizer for Beetroots plants promotes the growth of root in plants.
• Use the fertilizer (NPK5-10-10) with low nitrogen and high potassium and phosphorous at the early stages.
• Once the plant grown well, after 20 to 30 days of germination. You can use water soluble fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 5-10-10.
• Giving more nitrogen to plant may increase the leaf growth and reduce the root growth, in that case reduce the fertilizers or use fertilizer with low nitrogen levels
• Feeding the plant with organic compost and natural compost every week increases the growth of the root.
• You can feed the plants with homemade composts like vegetable compost, tea composts or fruit composts for proper nutrition.
• Beetroot plants may be prone to boron and calcium deficiency. So always provide the plant with good soil with all natural and organic compost mixes regularly.

Pests and diseases in growing beetroot in containers

• Beetroot plants are mainly affected by root rot, cercospora leaf spot, beet mosaic, mildew and scab.
• You can cure these diseases by limited watering and avoiding the wetting the foliage.
• It’s best to water at the base of the plant and thin the plant regularly for good air circulation.
• Another common disease in the Beetroot plant is leaf spot, to avoid this disease cut off the affected leaf.
• Beetroot plants are also affected by some common pests like leaf miners, flies, aphids, beetles, etc.
• To protect your plant from adult flies, cover the plant with fine netting or transparent cloth.
• And remove the leaves that are affected by leaf miners.
• To prevent diseases and pests, instead of choosing hard chemical pesticides and fertilizers use organic insect sprays or neem oil.
• Neem oil prevents the diseases and insect and promotes the growth of the plant.
• Spray the neem oil twice a day on the affected areas of the plant.

Harvesting the Beets from containers

• Harvesting period Beetroots depends on varieties.
• Beetroots are ready to harvest after 70 to 80 days of sowing.
• The leaves of the Beetroot plant are also harvested and used in cooking.
• Tender Beetroot leaves have a great taste makes you salads very tasty.
• Beetroot leaves are harvested when they grow till 3 or 4 inches.
• You can harvest the outer leaves, it also promotes the faster growth of inner foliage.
• To harvest, hold the tops gently and pull by removing soil with a hand fork.
• Don’t cut off the leaves, just remove them by twisting about 2 inches above the crown. This process prevents loss of juices and color and flavor.
• To harvest the Beetroot seeds- you should grow plant till it flowers. Beetroot plant flowers once their roots get matured.

Storing Beetroots after growing Beetroot in containers

• Root vegetables should be stored well, otherwise roots get spoiled easily.
• Beetroot can be stored in wooden boxes filled with the sand, they stay fresh in the sand as sand keeps them fresh for long periods without sprouting.
• Beetroot are stored in a dry, cool place for more than 15 days.

Tip for growing Beetroot in containers

For a healthy beet root plant and great yield:

• Give them an adequate water- don’t over water or under water the plant.
• Use fertilizers in good proportion NPK 5-20-20 (for plant of age below 30 days) and NPK 5-10-10 (for plant age above 30 days).
• Feed the plant with organic and natural compost in alternative weeks.
• Make sure that the plant gets good air circulation.The plant should be thinned every week.
• Remove the weeds and keep plant well-watered, during summers. Weeds will control the growth of plant and makes the soil dry fast.
• If you’re growing the Beetroot plants from roots- you should thin the plants regularly so that they grow healthy and have good tasty root.
• If you are growing Beetroot plants for greens- you should not thin the plants. You harvest the leaves carefully when they are 3 to 4 inches long making inner foliage to grow.
• Take necessary steps to save your plants from birds and weeds. Cover your plants to protect them from birds or other animals.
• To protect from weeds, pick the weeds regularly. Don’t use hoes or knives to pull the weeds it may hurt the roots. Just pull them out with hands.
• Over water to plant- produce more leaves and little roots and increases the risk bolting.
• Under watering- makes woody roots and Beetroot get no taste.

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