Red Silverbeet

[Anonymous]

I'm talking about the stuff with the dark green leaf and the wide white stem. Occasionally I've seen Red Silverbeet in the shops, the same stuff but with a red stem.

Now I've managed to grow some Red Silverbeet myself. The problem is I never planted it (all my silver beet is self seedled from last season's crop) and I have never bought any (so it could not have got into my garden via any self made compost). My question is, how did I manage to grow it? Or is 'Red' not a different species? Could there be something in the soil that has turned the silverbeet stalks red?

TIA

SNOOPY

[LJ]

I suspect that the original beets you planted were from hybrid seeds and the "self-seeded" ones have reverted to a parent type.

[Mosfet]

It's red algae.

[Bill Ewing]

Better be careful or Redbaiter will label you a Commie. Birds bring it. They pick up the seed 2 doors among then poop in your garden.