'Egyptian Flat Round' Red Beetroot - Beta vulgaris

Rote Bete Ägyptische Plattrunde Wurzeln – samenfeste historische Beetensorte Samen
Rote Bete Ägyptische Plattrunde aufgeschnitten – samenfeste historische Beetensorte Samen
€3,00 EUR
€857,14 EUR kg
Price plus shipping
Delivery time: 1-2 business days (PT – international may vary)
reicht für ca. 10 m row

In stock

Traditional cultivation method & heirloom variety. Regionally adapted landrace. Genetically stable & open-pollinated - 100% free from hybrid breeding, GMOs, and synthetic fertilizers. Organically propagated - Non-proprietary variety.

Local pickup at Benjis Seeds

Bohnensamen2

Harvest year:

2025

Seed viability:

5 years (species-specific)
Detailed information on germination capacity

Description

Cultivation & Characteristics

'Egyptian Flat Round' Red Beetroot – historic rarity with dark red flesh. 

This traditional, open-pollinated variety impresses with flat-round, dark red tubers, a mild-sweet flavor, and tender texture. It is early-maturing, robust, and ideally suited for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses – perfect for self-sufficiency and organic gardening.

 

  Origin & History

The ‘Egyptian Flat Round’ is one of the oldest known beet varieties and has been cultivated since the 19th century. In 1871, the French seed company Vilmorin officially introduced the variety, which had been known since 1813. It is recognized for its characteristic flat-round shape and aromatic flavor and is still appreciated today by lovers of open-pollinated varieties. As a proven cultivated variety, it is considered a classic in international horticulture.

 

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant is biennial and forms a compact leaf rosette with strong, rich green leaves in the first year. The roots develop evenly.

Root details:

  • Size: Medium, approx. 6–8 cm in diameter

  • Shape: Flat-round, smooth

  • Color: Dark red outside, dark red inside

  • Texture: Tender, juicy, fine-grained

  • Flavor: Mildly sweet, aromatic, less earthy than classic red beet

 

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

‘Egyptian Flat Round’ is ideal for raw salads, steamed vegetables, soups, juicing, and smoothies. Its mild nature makes it particularly versatile and a classic beet with excellent flavor. Perfect for colorful vegetable platters, and young leaves can be used like Swiss chard.

The variety grows reliably in open ground, greenhouses, and pots. It prefers humus-rich, deep soils and consistent water supply. Robust, resistant to bolting, and dependable in cultivation. For a staggered harvest, several sowings at intervals of 4 weeks are recommended. The tubers store well when kept cool and dry – ideal for winter supplies.

Compared to newer beet varieties, ‘Egyptian Flat Round’ is especially robust and resistant to bolting – ideal for gardeners who appreciate proven, open-pollinated vegetable varieties with historic character.

Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

1813

Origin:

Italy

Breeder:

Unknown – heritage variety

Propagation site:

Hesse - Germany

Suitable for:

Open field, Greenhouse, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening, Raised bed, Plant towers or tiered systems

Care requirements:

Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

Overwintering:

Not winter-hardy – can be cultivated outdoors as an annual. Overwintering only possible in frost-free conditions for seed production.

Special features:

High-yielding, Sun-loving / sunny, Low-maintenance, Resilient, Heat-tolerant, Bolt-resistant
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Cultivation guide for

<tc>Egyptian Flat Round</tc>

Growing difficulty:

Easy
In subtropical climates, sow from March in sunny or semi-shaded locations – indoor pre-cultivation possible from January.
In temperate regions, direct sowing from April after the last frost in full sun – pre-cultivation from March recommended.
Sowing in well‑drained, humus‑rich and nutrient‑rich loam soil – 2–3 cm deep. Plant spacing: 20 × 30 cm.

Cultivation tips:

Thin out early so the plants have enough space.
For a staggered harvest, it’s recommended to sow seeds in intervals of 4 weeks.
Good air circulation protects against aphids and fungal diseases.
Biochar and rock dust improve soil structure and enhance the retention of nutrients and water.

Storage instructions:

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.
Detailed information on seed storage
Plant_Profile_-_Pflanzen_Steckbrief_-_Ficha_da_planta_-_www

Plant Profile

Plant details

Botanical name:

<tc>Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris var. conditiva ‘Ägyptische Plattrunde’</tc>

Botanical family:

Amaranthaceae

Plant type:

Root & tuber vegetables

Growth habit:

Herbaceous, Forms a rosette, Compact growth with a rounded root

Plant width:

30 cm

Plant height:

40 cm

Root type:

Shallow to moderately rooted

Hardy to:

-2 °C short-term possible.

Cultivation period:

3.5-4.5 months

Life cycle:

Biennial (grown as an annual)

Propagation method:

Generative propagation by seed

Propagation:

This variety is cross-pollinated by wind and belongs to the species Beta vulgaris.
For seed production, a minimum isolation distance of 800–1000 m from other varieties of the same species is recommended, as cross-pollination is easily possible.
This plant is biennial – after flowering, it develops branched inflorescences with small to medium-sized seeds that mature well.
Seeds are ready for harvest once the seed heads are fully dried and slightly brittle.

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Dark germinator, Temperate germinator

Sowing depth:

1-2 cm

Germination temperature:

15-22 °C

Germination time:

7-10 days

Pot culture:

Requires a minimum container size of 5 liters.

Row spacing for baby leaf:

Limited suitability for baby-leaf cultivation. Swiss chard is the more suitable choice for baby-leaf cultivation.

Plant spacing:

15-20 cm

Row spacing:

30 cm

Pricking out / thinning out:

Thin out seedlings within 2 weeks after the formation of the first true leaf pairs.

Planting time:

Transplanted seedlings can be planted outdoors about 3 weeks after pricking out. Only once the soil is frost-free.

Soil

Soil type:

Well-drained, humus-rich loam soil

Soil pH:

6.0-7.5 – slightly acidic to alkaline

Nutrient requirements:

Medium feeder

Soil moisture:

Evenly moist, Sensitive to waterlogging

Soil preparation:

Loosen soil before sowing, Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Apply compost before planting., Consistent moisture and neutral pH soil promote root development., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce, Brassicas, Cucumber, Bean, Broad bean, Onion crops, Dill, Savory, Calendula, Tagetes

Incompatible plants:

Spinach, Chard, Root crops, Corn, Potato, Celery

Crop rotation guidelines:

Do not plant after other Beta species (Swiss chard, beetroot) - a minimum interval of 3 years is recommended.
Repeated cultivation at the same site increases disease pressure, leads to nutrient depletion, and impairs soil structure.
Ideal previous crops include legumes, onions, root vegetables, and green manure – rotating crops supports healthy soil.
Crop rotation with low-nutrient-demanding plants is recommended to prevent soil fatigue and maintain healthy growing conditions.

Harvest time:

Autumn, Summer, Spring

Sowing to harvest:

2-4 months

Harvested parts:

Roots

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Raw consumption, Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Natural garden, Salad, Juice / juicing, Smoothies, Fermentation, Steaming, Cooking, Baking, Pickling, To purée, Freezing, Preserving

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

Moderate to high

Plant care techniques:

Thin out after germination when sown directly, Water regularly - even during dry periods, Maintain weed-free

Plant protection:

Slug protection recommended, Mulching recommended

Cultivation notes:

May develop mildew in damp weather – an airy location is recommended. Susceptible to slugs and snails in early development. At a later stage, the hardier leaves are less vulnerable. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

Other names

EN - English names:

Red beetBeetrootGarden beetTable beet

DE - German names:

Rote BeteRandeRübe

PT - Portuguese names:

Beterraba vermelha

ES - Spanish names:

Remolacha roja

FR - French names:

Betterave rouge

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Ineke v.S. (Portugal)
3,5g - 250 Samen

Rote Bete Ägyptische Plattrunde [Beta vulgaris]

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