I like experimenting, and beetroot is my new attempt. Radishes grow very well hydroponically for me, and I hope beetroot works just as well. Here you’ll find all values to start and your printable growing card.
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Dark germinator
Press seeds in lightly, approx. 0.5 to 1 cm.
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18 to 20 °C
Ideal germination temperature, germination after 4 to 7 days.
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pH 6.0 to 6.5
Beetroot likes it a little less acidic than lettuce.
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8 to 10 weeks
Until harvest. Baby beets already at 4 to 6 cm.
Why I’m trying beetroot
Radishes grow really well in my hydro tower. Beetroot grows similarly: its bulb is also a thickened root that largely grows out of the top of the medium. That’s why I’m trying whether it works just as well without soil. I’m honest about it: this is my first attempt. I’ll add my photos and experiences here on the page.
Beetroot profile
What
Value
Plant group
root vegetable (thickened root)
Germination type
Dark germinator
Germination temperature
18 to 20 °C
Germination time
4 to 7 days
Sowing depth
approx. 0.5 to 1 cm
Special point
cluster seed: 1 seed often gives 2 to 4 seedlings
pH value
6.0 to 6.5
EC
young plant 0.8 to 1.2 · fully grown 1.8 to 2.2
Harvest
after approx. 8 to 10 weeks · baby beets at 4 to 6 cm
Support
support ring when the bulb gets heavy
The information on your seed packet comes first. Every variety is a little different.
1Sowing in perlite
Medium
Perlite
Germination type
Dark germinator
Temperature
18 to 20 °C
Germination time
4 to 7 days
This time I’m sowing beetroot in perlite instead of foam cubes. Perlite is a light volcanic rock: it doesn’t rot, holds water and still lets air reach the roots. You can also reuse it.
Fill a tray with perlite.
Carefully spray the perlite, add a little water and let it soak up.
Place the seeds and spray again from above.
Press the seeds in about 0.5 cm, because beetroot is a dark germinator.
Lid on, mind the germination temperature and wait.
2One seed, several plants
A beetroot seed is actually a cluster of several seeds. That’s why 2 to 4 seedlings often grow from one seed. Keep the strongest and remove the others early, otherwise the bulbs get in each other’s way.
3Into the tower
Later I pull the young plant out of the perlite, briefly rinse the roots and put it into a net pot. A support ring gives it support. It can be reused just like the perlite. When the bulb gets thicker and heavier, the support ring holds it securely.
4Harvest
Beetroot needs more patience than radishes: about 8 to 10 weeks. It’s best harvested small as baby beets with a 4 to 6 cm diameter. You can harvest the young leaves continuously before that and cook them like chard.
5Pests: what I look out for
Indoors in the hydro tower you usually have little trouble with pests. Outdoors it’s different. You should know these four with beetroot:
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Flea beetles
Lots of small, round holes in the leaf. They like it warm and dry, especially outdoors. Keep moist and put a fine net over it.
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Aphids
Like to sit on leaf undersides and young shoots. Check regularly and rinse off with water.
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Beet leaf miner
Its larvae eat light tunnels and blisters into the leaf. Cut off affected leaves, the net keeps the fly away.
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Leaf spots and mildew
Fungi like wet leaves and still air. Ensure air movement and remove affected leaves.
My tip for outdoors
If your tower stands on the balcony or in the garden, put a fine insect net over it. That keeps flea beetles and beet leaf miners away and, with brassicas like pak choi, also protects against the cabbage white. I use this net:
Yes. The bulb is a thickened root that largely grows out of the top of the medium, similar to radishes. Small, round varieties that you harvest as baby beets are best.
Does beetroot need light or darkness to germinate?
Beetroot is a dark germinator. Press the seed about 0.5 to 1 cm into the medium and put a lid on so it lies dark and moist.
Why do several plants come from one seed?
A beetroot seed is a cluster of several seeds. 2 to 4 seedlings often grow from it. Keep the strongest and remove the others early.
What values does beetroot need?
A pH of 6.0 to 6.5. For EC, start young plants at 0.8 to 1.2 and go to 1.8 to 2.2 for big plants. Always look at your plants.
When can I harvest beetroot?
After about 8 to 10 weeks. As baby beets already at 4 to 6 cm diameter. You can harvest the young leaves continuously and cook them like chard.
What helps against flea beetles on beetroot?
Flea beetles like it warm and dry. Keep the leaves moist and outdoors put a fine insect net over the tower. Young plants are most sensitive, big plants usually cope well with a few holes.
Do I need a net for beetroot?
Usually not indoors. Outdoors I recommend a fine insect net over the tower. It keeps flea beetles and beet leaf miners away.