Sad Beetroots

I always thought beetroots are the easiest veggies to grow. Turns out I was wrong. The easiest was my lettuce. Does not give me any dramas. My beetroot journey was a whole new ball game.

When my beetroots sprouted I was so so so happy. Like all my other plants, I took so many photos and keep wishing it will grow faster and faster. Everyday I monitor it's growth. But to my noobie gardener's eye everything looked ok.

This is my beetroot after a few weeks. Look so promising! Unfortunately behind these 2 good looking ones are at least 6 failed ones. Their leaves turned all purple. I thought it was normal. But they were actually sick. Sick because the soil is too alkaline. They didn't manage to get the nutrient and then was attacked by virus spread by aphids cause too weak. Did I mention I hate aphids. I.HATE.THEM! By the time I realize what was happening the small ones are pretty much stunted and had to give up on them (read: uproot and throw). These are the ones on individual smaller pots. The ones on my balcony planter are also under attack but they seemed stronger. So I bought sulfur to increase soil acidity. The right measurement took me 1 hour to calculate as my pot area is small and the instruction on the bottle assumes a much bigger surface area. Not to mention pot is not standard size. How do you calculate volume of non standard size? Deviation baby.... but I didn't do it LOL.... I just did rough estimation and pray to god of harvest. Mix it in and observe. 

Unfortunately I can only know the results after 2 or 3 weeks. During that time, my babies continue to turn purple. I start to hate that color. A few weeks later, still no improvement. I mixed in some bone and blood fertilizer. A boost of nutrients will give them a surviving chance (read: DESPERATE). Another few weeks later, things start to slowly turn! The leaves start turning back green. OMG... RELIEF! It's gonna made it after all. Unfortunately it is still suffering from my previous blunder - lack of borium/acidity so the older leaves are rubbery and thick. I culled most of it and the newer ones seemed a bit better. 

The latest problem I noticed is the leaves are getting 2 colours, darker and lighter green. According to internet that means leave virus attack. Spread by GODDAM aphids again. Next year I am gonna grow tomatoes next to beetroots. Apparently tomatoes repel aphids. Despite many ailments, they are still sprouting leaves and every new leave gives me hope that I can salvage the remaining beetroots - about 6 of them.

My uncle never had these problem. Why every known beetroot ailment  is attacking my beets? If anyone needs to learn how to grow healthy beets, they can come tend my garden. It's like baptism by fire. Get to know Beet diseases 101.

My beets please grow healthy. Mama is rooting for you guys!