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Post by 1shotwade on May 19, 2015 17:45:49 GMT
What's tha deal? I can't seem to make sugar beets grow! This is the second year of failure!Just like last year, I got a good mix of potting soil,leaf compost and Pete moss.Started indoors,moved outside,hardened off,planted.I have never gotten more than the first two leaves on any plant in the last two years!They just come up with the first two leaflets and stand there no matter what I do.I check them daily,water when needed applied bone meal and 10-0-10,have good spacing. What am I not doing right? All my other plants take right off with this exact same care.
Anybody got a clue?
Wade
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 18:09:12 GMT
Not sure where you are but I direct seed them in the garden same time as other root crops. Water as needed that is all.
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Post by sandsuncritters on May 19, 2015 18:15:40 GMT
Just my opinion and previous experience, for whatever it's worth.
Sugar beets don't seem to take kindly to transplanting. They seem to want to be direct seeded.
Have you had your soil tested for ph and nutrient factors? I don't know where you are or what your soil conditions are, but perhaps the ph of your soil is not conducive to sugar beets. Or there may be a mineral deficiency. If you've had trouble two years in a row, Have the soil tested. And double-check the planting time for sugar beets in your specific area.
In His Love
Mich
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Post by 1shotwade on May 19, 2015 19:32:49 GMT
Hey,thanks for the replies! My location is listed below the script,btw. Si I 'm not sure about any of this stuff. I raise regular beets every year without a problem. I do sow them directly so I just went out and put in 150 sugar beet seed with fert and leaf mulch on top so that should tell the story if that's the problem. I never considered they may not like being transplanted! I use 1/2 TP roll to plant in and put the whole thing in the ground so I don't know what they wouldn't like about that since the root mass is never disturber. I don't know,I guess we'll see.
Anyone else have an idea please chime in 'cause i want this fixed! I want to make my own beet sugar like Martin did last year.
Thanks y'all.
Wade
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Post by paquebot on May 19, 2015 21:47:18 GMT
Starting sugar beet seed and transplanting is not uncommon. Regular beets can also be started that way. Generally it's done in plug flats of 144 or so. Planting in the TP rolls is even better since there is minimal root disturbance. Those which I grew several years ago were started in 6-packs or 9-packs with 1" cells. Never lost a single seedling and most only had a single true leaf.
BUT, number one rule for starting anything is NEVER use potting soil. Especially so if combined with more peat. Also, potting soil generally does not need any additional fertilizer if it is used. Lots of potential problems with what was used and too many to explain. But if you had taken a look at the root systems of the seedlings before they were planted, you would probably have found that there weren't any. Thus they were being killed with kindness.
Martin
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Post by wally on May 19, 2015 22:43:23 GMT
thread drift here, Martin how do you transplant the seedlings that are started in the plug flats of 144.
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Post by 1shotwade on May 19, 2015 23:09:54 GMT
Starting sugar beet seed and transplanting is not uncommon. Regular beets can also be started that way. Generally it's done in plug flats of 144 or so. Planting in the TP rolls is even better since there is minimal root disturbance. Those which I grew several years ago were started in 6-packs or 9-packs with 1" cells. Never lost a single seedling and most only had a single true leaf. BUT, number one rule for starting anything is NEVER use potting soil. Especially so if combined with more peat. Also, potting soil generally does not need any additional fertilizer if it is used. Lots of potential problems with what was used and too many to explain. But if you had taken a look at the root systems of the seedlings before they were planted, you would probably have found that there weren't any. Thus they were being killed with kindness. Martin No doubt you are correct Martin but help me understand. The potting soil I usw was from last years plants. I mixed it 1:1 with leaf mulch then mixed that 1:1 with garden soil. It made the mix lighter and added vermiculite from the old potting soil.I then added about 2 hands full of pete to about a 1 gallon mix and planted in trays. When I transplanted in the garden I simply put the plants,"pot" and all in a row leaving 8" spacing instead of the recommended 4" and added 10-0-10 plus bone meal mulched with leaf mulch and watered them in.This is how I normally do all my spring plants and they all do well except these sugar beets.The other plants i started on the same day in the same mixture are 10-12 inches and the sugar beets are stunted at 2". What shout I change here? I did go out and direct sow about 150 in the garden today again adding the fert/bone meal and leaf mulch. Wade |
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Post by paquebot on May 20, 2015 2:47:31 GMT
What to change? I'd drop the leaf mulch from the mix. Also cut the peat in half. Both of those will soak up water and the roots will become water-logged very easy. Some things can handle it, some can't. Sugar beets apparently can't. I use either Jiffy Mix or a personal mix very close to it and never have that problem. No feeding until there are true leaves and then just enough to keep them alive. Their first big feeding comes when they are in the ground.
Martin
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Post by Savren on May 20, 2015 14:24:03 GMT
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Post by seaeagle on May 20, 2015 17:57:53 GMT
Starting sugar beet seed and transplanting is not uncommon. Regular beets can also be started that way. Generally it's done in plug flats of 144 or so. Planting in the TP rolls is even better since there is minimal root disturbance. Those which I grew several years ago were started in 6-packs or 9-packs with 1" cells. Never lost a single seedling and most only had a single true leaf. BUT, number one rule for starting anything is NEVER use potting soil. Especially so if combined with more peat. Also, potting soil generally does not need any additional fertilizer if it is used. Lots of potential problems with what was used and too many to explain. But if you had taken a look at the root systems of the seedlings before they were planted, you would probably have found that there weren't any. Thus they were being killed with kindness. Martin First, let me say , I know you are right about not using potting mix for seed starting, all the experts say so.Years ago I asked the guy who worked at Southern States feed store what to use for starting seed, he pointed to the big pallet of Farfards Professional Potting Mix.I used that for years with no problem, then I started reading where you weren't supposed to use it.So the next time I went there I asked him again, and he said he recommends it to everyone who asks him and he pointed to some seed starting mix they had and they had all the stuff you could mix on your own too, but when I saw the prices I said, Farfards Professional Mix works just fine.Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe that stuff works fine because I seed everything I grow, haven't bought a plant in years. |
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Post by paquebot on May 21, 2015 0:54:08 GMT
If it were easy, everyone would do it. That's why processing beets or cane has always involved a rather complicated process. I made large crystals by allowing the syrup to evaporate. Tasted much like raw brown sugar which is basically what it is. If I were to grow them on a large scale, I would only make syrup which is absolutely great on pancakes. Making the syrup is easy as one just needs to boil the pulp and squeeze out the juice and cook it down. Don't need any additives, just need to treat it the same as maple syrup. That is, keep stirring to avoid scorching and have an exhaust fan removing the humidity from the house. Martin |
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Post by sandsuncritters on May 24, 2015 21:44:37 GMT
I defer to Pacquebot on everything, as his knowledge and experience vastly outweighs mine  On the subject of direct seeding vs transplants - Martin I will speak with my husband about trying that! We're in Florida so it may be that the soil and weather conditions are more conducive to direct seeding. I must say, I'm very glad to see you here and posting, Martin! You were missed! In His Love Mich |
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Post by whisperwindkat on May 27, 2015 11:14:38 GMT
I have been following this but not saying anything because well Martin said it all. However, now I see that you are in Florida. May in Florida is way to hot for sugar beets, they are a cool weather crop. So temperature might actually be your biggest temperature. I can't even get them to germinate if the outside temps are above 80 degrees. Trying planting them this fall. Blessings, Kat
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Post by 1shotwade on May 27, 2015 12:52:43 GMT
Kat-thanks for responding but you are in error. I am in south east Indiana.I have sown about 150 directly into the garden but they have not responded as of yet.I guess this will be a continual trial and error until I find a way to make it work.
Wade
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Post by paquebot on May 27, 2015 13:42:17 GMT
Kat-thanks for responding but you are in error. I am in south east Indiana.I have sown about 150 directly into the garden but they have not responded as of yet.I guess this will be a continual trial and error until I find a way to make it work. Wade Kat would have been responding to Mich who is in Florida. Without looking for additional information, I wonder what pre-soaking would do to assist beet seed germination? That's a very hard seed and an over-night or 24-hour soaking may soften it up. I've never had any problem germinating beet or chard seed either in the ground or starter packs. But I've also never allowed them to dry out either way. Martin |
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Post by 1shotwade on May 27, 2015 14:10:43 GMT
Martin- I really don't know. That's something to think about. If I remember right they are 110 day to harvest so I should have plenty of time since our frost date is Oct 20. I think I'll give them a couple more weeks and If I don't see a good germination by then I'll try soaking a few and see what happens.I'm really anxious to make a crop of these things so ,whatever it takes!
Wade
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Post by paquebot on May 27, 2015 18:38:52 GMT
Did look it up and beets are one seed which benefits from soaking prior to planting. I always knew to keep them damp but never pre-soaked them. Looks like that's the way to go with them. www.rain.org/~sals/soak.htmlMartin |
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Post by 1shotwade on May 27, 2015 18:44:29 GMT
Thanks Martin! The 150 I planted back a ways are soaking now! We had a nice rain yesterday and they are covered with a thin layer of leaf mulch so should stay damp long enough to germinate. If not I'll try it one more time then I'm done with messing with them for this year.
Wade
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Post by sandsuncritters on Jun 4, 2015 16:45:10 GMT
I have been following this but not saying anything because well Martin said it all. However, now I see that you are in Florida. May in Florida is way to hot for sugar beets, they are a cool weather crop. So temperature might actually be your biggest temperature. I can't even get them to germinate if the outside temps are above 80 degrees. Trying planting them this fall. Blessings, Kat Hi Kat, We are in North Florida. Our sugar beets are planted on the Waning Moon in September. Harvest begins in late January through March. Are you in Florida also Kat? In His Love Mich |
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Post by whisperwindkat on Jun 5, 2015 0:25:33 GMT
I have been following this but not saying anything because well Martin said it all. However, now I see that you are in Florida. May in Florida is way to hot for sugar beets, they are a cool weather crop. So temperature might actually be your biggest temperature. I can't even get them to germinate if the outside temps are above 80 degrees. Trying planting them this fall. Blessings, Kat Hi Kat, We are in North Florida. Our sugar beets are planted on the Waning Moon in September. Harvest begins in late January through March. Are you in Florida also Kat? In His Love Mich Nope, we are in Alabama. Still have a house in southwest Florida and use to live in Englewood Beach. Born in Winter Haven, went to college in Tampa. Hubbie's a Florida cracker too, born and raised in Sarasota county. Yep we plant as soon as the temps start dropping down to about80 or below, usually late September. Blessings, Kat |
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Post by 1shotwade on Jun 8, 2015 17:50:18 GMT
Hi all. Just wanted to update this in case anyone was interested.The beets i sowed in directly in the garden are up and doing fine. I guess then sugar beet don't like being started indoors,too early or the mix they were in!
Wade
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Post by paquebot on Jun 10, 2015 15:30:58 GMT
Interestingly enough, my community garden neighbor is from the Ukraine. Overnight she had a big patch of beets. I asked if she started them inside and she had. It is apparently common in her country. I asked if that applied to sugar beets as well and she said that it did.
Martin
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