Celery

[queenbee]

Can anybody tell me honestly if they have ever grown celery to match the supermarket variety, I have tried for over 20 years with both self blanching and non blanching varieties and all I get is sickly thin stingy sticks. Celery is one of my favourate veg. I would appreciate ANY advice on this subject.

[queenbee]

[Glen]

Hi Queenbee,

This is the first year I am growing it - I am trying a variety called Tango, self blanching. Like you I absolutely love celery!

I have grown it in a pot and all looks good so far. Got good health plants with thick stems and I am going to plant out into my raised beds tomorrow. Like I say this is my first year growing it - so finger crossed!

However I am sure with your 20 years experience you are more of an expert than me!  ;)

[galina]

Mine is not like the supermarket types either and I love it because it tastes much stronger.  But if you are after size and crunch, it takes nitrogen, good spacing, earthing up and lots and lots of watering.  Celery is originally a marsh plant.

[betula]

I love celery too.

I have never tried growing it as I have read so many times that it is difficult to growso have not bothered. :D

Good luck.

[GrannieAnnie]

Mine also were thin tough sticks. Only tried them once.
Interesting to hear they were a marsh plant which explains my poor crop. Thanks for that explanation.

[chriscross1966]

From memory the advice for celery is pretty much the same as for celeriac.... as soon as it stops raining, get out there with the watering can......

[tomatoada]

From memory the advice for celery is pretty much the same as for celeriac.... as soon as it stops raining, get out there with the watering can......

Interesting.  I gave up trying to grow celery  some years ago.  This year I am growing celeriac for the first time.  So watering can at the ready.

[davyw1]

I have never grown celery to eat for a lot of years i now only grow it for the show bench. I used to grow one called Ohio (i think any way it was names after some us state) i found this the best to grow but things have moved on since then.
There is no secret to growing celery all you need is good drainage, plenty of dug in manure, water and lots of slug pellets..
Regardless whether you are growing blanching or self blanching collar it to get the best results.
When i plant out i place bottomless plant pots over them this not to start blanching (although it does) it so i have easy access to taking of the side chutes and to keep the stalks from falling.
My celery last month
[attachment=1]

[Digindep]

Now I use old drain pipe, square or round.. obout 10 inch tall.....plant out in the cold frame water well and often....will add, this has been the worst year ever...only 4 out of 9 showing any resemblence to life...... ???....perhaps I should try another tactic... ;D

[earlypea]

Thanks for the photo Davy, it's really helpful.

I was asking about this last year; mine grew low and tufty, didn't realise you were supposed to pick off side shoots.  In the end they were spittingly intense, no-one could stomach them.  I plan to try again.

Would you happen to have a photo of how you blanch them in later life as they get taller - or is it just taller pots?

[davyw1]

Thanks for the photo Davy, it's really helpful.

I was asking about this last year; mine grew low and tufty, didn't realise you were supposed to pick off side shoots.  In the end they were spittingly intense, no-one could stomach them.  I plan to try again.

Would you happen to have a photo of how you blanch them in later life as they get taller - or is it just taller pots?

The pots that are on are not to blanch them just to support the outer stalks not to blanch the celery.
What you do is let the girth grow out and when it gets to a decent size its then you collar them with cardboard, tubing or damp course, you collar up two third of the plant to draw the length up to what.
[attachment=1]

[queenbee]

Digindep,  I think I will try your idea with the drainpipe as I have had several lengths behind the greenhouse not really knowing what to do with them. I knew they would come in handy one day. Too late this year but will definitely have another go next year.

Thanks again to all of you for your suggestions.