Beetroot, not doing well

[Jayb]

Anyone grown beetroot Cheltenham Green Top?  Mine seem very slow and look very poor compared to Early Blood Turnip, which have made great progress and are being pulled as needed. Cheltenham are nowhere near being ready. Same date sown and growing conditions, is it just a later variety or a poor doer? I've sown another batch in case they don't like an early start, so fingers crossed these do better. What am I soing wrong?

[Jayb]

[goodlife]

Nothing..too hot, too dry..not a british weather.. ::) In our lottie I've heard several mentioning their beetroots have bolted..not even made the root bit yet..
..Just wait..It's going rain now for next few weeks..and your beetroot will love it... ::)

[Jayb]

Other beetroot varieties have done fab,I'm wondering if it is particular in its needs?

[Duke Ellington]

I agree with Goodlife....

My beetroot were looking terrible so I couple of weeks ago I started to give them more water. Now they look and taste great. ;D

[goodlife]

Is cheltenham pale coloured one?..if so then it could be that it doesn't need so much sun for the colour..? Have you tried it in bit shadier position?

[Jayb]

No not pale, here's a link, perhaps I'm being impatient :)
http://www.alanromans.com/p-1784-beetroot-cheltenham-greentop.aspx

[calendula]

not too late to sow more assuming that the heatwave might be dropping a tad  :-\

[galina]

No not pale, here's a link, perhaps I'm being impatient :)
http://www.alanromans.com/p-1784-beetroot-cheltenham-greentop.aspx

JayB thank you for the description.  Sounds like a big, old storing variety which needs to grow all summer and probably wants wider spacing too.

I have also got Early Blood Turnip from HSL and noticed how fast they started to form roots, although with limited watering and no rain here for weeks, they haven't grown much in the last week or two.  

As an aside, do you have green red-veined leaves on EBT or dark red ones?  I have one plant with dark red leaves and think, despite the word 'Blood' in the name, this is probably the odd one out and should be rogued.  I will keep all roots until later in the year and select for eating or storing and seed saving then.

[Jayb]

Thanks for the in put everyone.
I agree, it is going to take a lot longer for them to mature. Also I started them in modules and I am wondering if this is not a suitable method for this type of beetroot. I've already sown some more in modules but I'll also do some direct maybe in the polytunnel as time is moving on.

I've had a quick look on the net, but I haven't found a picture example of EBT growing or written description of its leaves. My seed came from ISS, most are green with dark red veining, a few plants have red blotching on the leaves between veins. but none are solid red ?! :)

[landimad]

I have given up after 3 sowings of them and no success with any.
Will try again next time to get these into growth and hope that I can get some into the pickling jar for xmas.

[Plot22]

Try chitting them on damp kitchen towel in a plastic container placed in
a dark cupboard. It only takes a few days for them to sprout. I did this a few weeks ago with some spare seed and after sowing they were through in just over a week. After sowing you must keep them well watered. That is the golden rule.

[antipodes]

Oh yes I am growing that variety! They are not ready either, all my beetroot is very slow this year. I too am increasing the watering. I am still sowing late varieties, to try and get some in the autumn. Shame, as that Cheltenham variety sounded good. but so far it is disappointing, although germination rate is good.