Content
Cylinder beet is a Russian large-fruited variety with good taste and high yield (up to 10 kg per square meter). It is distinguished by the cylindrical shape of root crops, thanks to which they are convenient to stack and store. The variety is unpretentious and is available for cultivation in most Russian regions.
Origin story
Cylinder beet is a large-fruited variety bred on the basis of the Marinda agricultural company (Moscow). The crop was tested and included in the register of breeding achievements in 1998. Approved for cultivation in most Russian regions:
- middle lane;
- Northwest;
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- southern territories;
- Ural;
- Western and Eastern Siberia;
- Far East.
Description of the beet variety Cylinder
Beetroot leaves are medium sized, light green in color. The edges are slightly wavy, the surface is glossy, pink-violet veins are noticeable. Rosettes of leaves are erect and semi-erect.
Root crops have a characteristic cylindrical shape, which is why the variety got its name.They reach 4–7 cm in diameter, 15 cm in length, and are very elongated. The tip is small, pointed, the head is medium-sized, flat in shape, rising slightly above the ground.
The beet pulp of the Cylinder variety is dark red in color, has a delicate consistency, is distinguished by its juiciness and pleasant aroma. There are no light rings, but sometimes there is an unexpressed ringing. The root crops are very large, weighing from 250 to 600 g. The surface is smooth, leveled, and burgundy in color.
The taste of Cylinder beets is pleasant, sweetish, characterized as good and excellent
Root crops are transportable - they can be transported over long distances to the place of sale or processing. Keeping quality is good - up to 6-7 months, subject to standard storage conditions (temperature 2-5 degrees Celsius, humidity level up to 70%, dark place).
The purpose of Cylinder beet roots is universal. They can be used fresh to prepare vitamin-rich salads, as well as in all kinds of dishes. Beets are also suitable for winter preparations.
Characteristics of beet Cylinder
The Cylinder variety is valued for its very high yield of 8–10 kg per 1 m2 (with industrial cultivation from 700 to 1000 centners per hectare). The variety is mid-season: technical ripeness occurs on average 100–120 days after emergence. The pace of ripening strongly depends on the region - in the south it takes 80–90 days, in cool summer conditions - 130 days. The harvest can be harvested four months after germination, i.e. from late July to early September (depending on planting date).
The Cylinder variety is sensitive to cold weather - due to a decrease in night temperature, flower stalks may form.Therefore, planting in open ground is planned only in May, when there is no longer any threat of return frosts. Beets are drought-resistant, which makes it possible to grow them even in regions with insufficient rain.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cylinder beets have undoubted advantages. Many summer residents and farmers are attracted by its unpretentiousness, high yield and excellent taste. Although the variety is not as resistant to frost as others, so planting should be planned at a time when the soil has warmed up well.
Cylinder beets have increased productivity
Pros:
- excellent taste;
- attractive presentation;
- large root vegetables;
- high product yield;
- good keeping quality and transportability;
- drought resistance;
- the pulp does not change color when cooked;
- can be grown in all regions of the country.
Minuses:
- Cylinder is sensitive to frost - it can produce flower stalks;
- the variety is demanding on lighting and does not tolerate the slightest shadow;
- on acidic and clay soils it produces little yield.
Planting beets Cylinder
Cylinder beets are quite demanding on soil composition. The soil should be light and fertile (loam or sandstone with a slightly acidic or neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is suitable). The place should be dry (not lowland) and completely open - then the yield will be high and the taste will be pleasant.
The timing of planting Cylinder beets depends on the method of cultivation and the climate of a particular region:
- Seeds for seedlings are planted a month before transplanting into the ground, i.e. in early April (in the south - at the end of March).
- Seedlings are planted in the garden in mid-May. In the south this is done at the beginning of the month, and in regions with a cool spring - in the last ten days.
- If you grow by planting seeds in the ground, then the procedure is planned for the middle or second half of May.
- It is allowed to plant Cylinder beets before winter (also in open ground). In this case, sowing is planned for the second half of September - early October.
Growing seedlings
Growing by seedlings allows you to speed up the ripening of root crops by 1–1.5 months and get a harvest at the end of July. The seeds must first be prepared:
- put in salt water and discard those that float;
- soak, keep the glass in the refrigerator for a week;
- pickle with potassium permanganate or fungicide (if the manufacturer has not done so).
Cylinder beets are single-sprout varieties. This means that only one plant grows from a seed. You can grow seedlings in common containers. The soil is purchased at the store or made from garden soil mixed with humus, black peat and sand (2:1:1:1).
It is convenient to grow beet seedlings in cassettes
The seeds are planted to a depth of 1–2 cm, covered with film and placed in a warm place (room temperature). When the shoots appear, the film is removed, the temperature is lowered to 15 degrees, and 2 weeks before transplanting they begin to harden at 10–12 °C. Periodically moisten the soil with a sprayer.
Seedlings are transferred to open ground after the formation of four true leaves. You can’t hesitate, because the seedlings will stretch out. On the other hand, planting too early is dangerous due to frost.
Planting in open ground
From mid to late May, Cylinder beet seeds can be planted in open ground. They are prepared in the same way as in the case of seedlings. The landing pattern is as follows:
- depth – 2–3 cm;
- interval between seeds – 10 cm;
- the interval between rows is 30 cm.
After planting, give some water. At the first stages, seedlings need moisture, so watering is increased, then infrequent, as needed.
Caring for Cylinder beets in open ground
Caring for Cylinder beets is not very difficult. The basic rule is regular watering, especially during drought (although plants develop normally in hot weather). The crop is responsive to fertilizing - fertilizers provide maximum yield. They need to be applied several times per season:
- On the eve of planting, add urea in an amount of 15–20 g per 1 m2.
- At the initial stages of root crop formation, you can water it with any organic matter.
- Three weeks after this, feed with superphosphate (40 g per 1 m2) and potassium salt (20 g per 1 m2).
In order for beets to grow quickly, you should not allow the soil to cake, especially if it is dense. 1–2 days after heavy rains and watering, it is recommended to loosen the surface layer. Weeding is carried out as necessary, preventing active growth of weeds.
The beet harvest is harvested on a sunny day without rain.
Possible diseases and pests
Cylinder beets have good immunity to most diseases and pests. But due to bad weather and improper care (frost, excess moisture, dense plantings, heavy, acidic soil), you may suffer from the following pathologies:
- brown rot (gray coating on the root crop);
- “black leg” (darkening of the roots);
- downy mildew (a grayish-lilac coating on the leaves);
- phomosis (brownish spots on the inside of the leaf blade).
For prevention, it is necessary to follow the rules of agricultural technology. If signs of disease appear, all affected plants are destroyed and then treated with a fungicide (Bordeaux mixture, HOM, Skor, Maxim, Profit or another product).
Conclusion
Cylinder beets are an unpretentious crop that tolerates drought and is resistant to many diseases and pests. The agricultural technology for growing it is simple, so even a novice summer resident will get a good harvest.
Reviews from gardeners about Cylinder beets
