Beta vulgaris 'Bolivar'
beetroot 'Bolivar'
An excellent annual grown as a vegetable for its edible, tender, globe shaped, deep red taproots that have a smooth skin and superb flavour. Ideal for harvesting as baby beet while young and sweet or letting them mature for a full sized crop
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple Red | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Dig over bed in autumn and add well rotted manure if humus content is low. Sow direct between March and July into drills 2.5cm deep and lighly rake over with soil. Thin out seedlings to 10cm spacings. See beetroot cultivation for more information
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required. Harvest roots when they are more than 5cm in diameter
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, flea beetles and mangold fly (beet leaf miner)
Diseases
May be susceptible to beetroot heart rot, black leg and leaf spot
Get involved
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