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Vegetable Gardening

leaves of Beet sprouts are detatching

11 years ago

Hi,

I planted beets straight in the ground a month ago and some of them sprouted 2 weeks back. I can see two long first leaves. but almost a third of them are losing their leaves. The leaves are not drying or wilting. They are not being eaten by slugs (i'm using beer traps and slug pellets and the whole 9 yards). Some of them seem like they have fallen over. And when i looked closer it seemed like the leaves have separated from the stem. What causes this? Am I watering too much? Should I wait to replant beet seeds? I'm in Portland, Oregon. We are going through a cold wet spell (but lows are still over 40F). Should i wait for it to get warmer? I had assumed beets were an early spring vegetable.
I heard beets are easy to grow, and this does not seem easy... Also, overall the beet seeds that have sprouted don't seem very healthy and are developing really, really slowly. I'm growing Detroit reds and Red high top varieties. Any advice on how to grow them will be greatly appreciated. Also any advice on beet varieties that are easy to take care of would also be great.

Thanks!
Mary

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Comments (9)

n2xjk
11 years ago
Could be a combination of factors, too wet and old seed being top possibilities. I'd replant after the soil dries out a bit. Beet seeds stay viable for a few years if kept dry, but since you've had trouble I'd just get a fresh packet of seeds now.
maryalappat
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh but these are a new packet of seeds. The brand is FerryMorse. Should i try another brand?
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farmerdill
11 years ago
If they germinated it is not the seeds. I can't imagine watering this time of year unless you are in a full desert so that could be a problem. Beets do drown easily which is one the reasons I always plant them on a list. They do grow slowly for the first 6 weeks or so. They love temps in the 30-50's so that could be ruled out. Mine are up but not showing true leaves yet.
{{gwi:27621}}
maryalappat
Original Author
11 years ago
What does it mean when you say 'plant them on a list'?
So you think I'm over watering? Of all the seeds that I planted, only 30% sprouted so far. It has been a month. Is that a sign that the seed stock isn't very good?
farmerdill
11 years ago
A list for beets is a ridge of soil about 6 inches wide and elavated about two inches. Keeps water from standing on them them. Beets can be difficult to germinate, which is why many folks use row covers or planks to keep them evenly moist until they germinate. I don't usually have a problem if I plant them early enough. I planted the first of February and the last few are just emerging. I have never had any problems with Ferry Morse seeds or any other recognized vendor for that matter.
n2xjk
11 years ago
As Farmerdill says, probably your seeds are good and conditions are too wet.

I just wanted to check you had good seed to start with.

In a garage I was cleaning out a few years ago I found an unopened packet of Ferry Morse beet seeds (var. Early Wonder) that was 6 years old and used it and germination was fine. And 6 years in a drafty garage is hardly ideal conditions for keeping seeds.
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
11 years ago
I've had ants saw off the leaves so neatly you would never know it. Why they saw off right where the leaf contacts the stem?.....are the leaves disappearing or just laying on the ground? I don't think beets are easy to grow, I don't know who said that, although I have grown them successfully several times. I've gotten best results when I plant them densely so they can support each other when they are young, and gradually thin as they grow. (same with carrots) Beet seedlings are very fragile especially if standing alone. Heck, one good 10 min. gully-washer can wash them away. They also tend to get leggy when young and fall over. If I had a nickel for every beet seedling I ever hilled....
NilaJones
11 years ago
Does the stem look brownish but not dry at the point where it bends or detaches? If so, google 'damping off'.

Sluggo plus beer will cut down on the slug and snail population but, in Portland, will definitely not get rid of all of them. Using those is not a reason to believe molluscs aren't eating the beet stems, I'm sorry to say.
maryalappat
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for advice.
Take away from the discussion is:
- I am over watering. Need to stop that.
- Need to watch out for ants and other plants
- Plants the next batch of seeds on a list
- Hill the seedlings that look like they are leaning over.

Thanks once again!

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