Beta vulgaris 'Detroit 2' - Crimson Globe

RHS Plant Profile
beetroot 'Detroit 2' - Crimson Globe
Annual Biennial

An improved variety, grown as an annual vegetable for its smooth, purple skinned, globe shaped, edible taproots that have a dark red flesh with a high sugar content. Shows some good resistance to downy mildew. Perfect for baking, pickling or grating raw in salads

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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

  • Patio and container plants

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