celeriac

[macmac]

any tips on sowing celerac? i've sown two lots one in a propagator and later just in the greenhouse...nothing. anybody know where i might be going wrong?everything else is germinating fine.

[poppingjay]

This will be the first time I've grown celeriac too, so I'll be watching this thread carefully for tips. I only sowed mine last weekend and they are sitting in the polytunnel.... hopefully germinating

[Beryl]

Celeriac can be slow to germinate. I think you need to be patient. I sow mine in a cold greenhouse, mid-March time in a seed tray of moist compost lightly covered and a plastic lid on top. If the nights go below zero then I will bring the tray in doors over night. When seedlings are large enough to handle I prick out into the cell trays, Then again into 3" pots before finally planting out in mid-May time.
Keep seedlings/plants moist at all times but not wet. Water well when you plant out. Remove the lower leaves as the root swells.

Good luck.
Beryl.

[hilary]

Hi,
Celeriac can be very erratic - in the past I have given up and put the seed tray uner the shelving only to have it germinate. SO be patient!
Once up and you pot on make sure you don't put it out too early since a cold snap can make it flower early and therefore not produce big roots. Keep well watered and fed. Good luck
Hilary

[macmac]

thanks beryl/hilary i'll try to be patient. will keep you posted
macmac(would attach a smilie but all i get is text??)

[Monika]

I sowed my celeriac (Prinz) about 10 March, keeping it on the boiler (approx 20 degrees) and it has just germinated. It always takes ages. They are now in the unheated greenhouse, but still wrapped at night. If it gets really cold, they come back into the house.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I love celeriac, but despite having no trouble germinating the seeds I've never grown anything bigger than a tennis ball, and usually more like a golf ball. When you've cut off all the rooty bits there is hardly anything left to eat. I made a special effort last year in a well manured bed, kept them fed and watered, but still no joy, so it is one veg I won't be growing again.

That is unless anyone can recommend a reliable variety that does make a good size. I can't remember off hand which varieties I've tried.

I hope everyone else has better luck.

[Beryl]

Hi Plumpudding, its not the variety that makes good roots its removing the lower leaves that encourages the root to swell. This is ususally what most people forget to do. I find if when you see the lower leaves bend downwards that the time to take them off. Do it several times and you will have good roots.

Beryl.

[Colin_M]

its removing the lower leaves that encourages the root to swell

Thanks Beryl, that's another useful tip to know.

I tried celeriac for the first time last year and only managed to grow knobbly tennis balls. This year (as a result of this thread and another one elsewhere, also on celeriac) I've manured the destination ground well, allowed ages for my seeds to germinate (which are at last coming up in bucket loads) and will now trim the leaves as advised!

[Primrose]

Thanks Beryl for the tip about removing leaves. I grew quite a lot of celeriac last year (Prinz) and the ones sown in south facing sheltered border had much larger roots than those grown in my vegetable patch although the soil was equally well manured in both places. Can you tell us just how many top leaves should be removed? My plants ended up looking quite leafy and I'm a little unsure what percentage of the foliage I should be removing this year. I also sowed my celeriac a while back but I did so indoors and it germinated quite quickly on a sunny window sill. It's now pricked out in small modules in my unheated plastic greenhouse and seems to have survived the frosty nights so far.

[Beryl]

Difficult to explain Primrose, the root will start to swell and grow above the ground so its the lower leaves that need coming off. They do tend to bend themselves and thats when I take them off. No need to be very particular just go round and pull them off. Usually its about 3 or 4 at a time. About mid-to end August onwards.
There is a photo on my 2003 Diary which shows what they should look like in September. A bit like celary with a round ball at the bottom. The bit we eat is always above the soil level.
I will try and show some clearer photos this year if I can.

http://www.saundersallotment.co.uk/Diary%202003.html

Beryl.

[macmac]

This is just a very big thankyou to everyone who contributed to this thread I have been harvesting some splendid celeriac after following all your advice,when in previous years all I've got is "golf balls "