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Hi,

I was under the impression Celery and Celery Root (Celeriac) were two different plants. I cut the stalks off a store bought organic celery and planted the base. Over the span of a few months it grew stalks but they were pretty small. I have since ignored the plant and I noticed lately that it looks like it is bulbing up. Will this bulb/root be edible like Celeriac or IS it celeriac/celery root? I don't know much about celery and its life cycle. Thanks in advance.

It...might. The varieties grown for stalk celery (Apium graveolens) vs. celery root (aka celeriac, Apium graveolens var. Rapaceum) have been bred for those particular tendencies. The "var. Rapaceum" in the variety name for celery root (aka celeriac) reminds the scientifically aware reader (aka nomenclature nerd ) that the plant is similar to a turnip, I.e., the shape of its root is similar to that of a turnip root.

It's possible that your celery will develop a bulbous root; it's not guaranteed.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

I was expecting that plant to bolt. Any sign of flower stalk yet? ...or do celery HAVE to experience warm-cold-warm cycles to trigger flowering?

Celery: The most frustrating of plants. It has never done anything at all for me. Must take special conditions that I don't have here. ???

My advice: Grow something else.

applestar wrote:I was expecting that plant to bolt. Any sign of flower stalk yet? ...or do celery HAVE to experience warm-cold-warm cycles to trigger flowering?

Nope it never flowered and it doesn't look like it is gonna bolt just yet. I have no idea what the lifecycle is for celery. I am thinking pretty soon of pulling it up and seeing what the root looks like.

My brother has planted celery with great results. I tried planting celery seed last spring. IDK what I did wrong - several thoughts - planted too close, planted too deep, my soil may have needed some sand added. Although good for all of my other crops the celery may have needed a lighter mix. I will try again. It would be great to grow my own because we use LOTS of celery. 2 or 3 stalks per week when G is home. At least one per week when he is out of town. Yep - love celery. Any tips?

Years ago, I had celery and it didn't grow well. Probably just too dry here.

Try celeriac! I have to start it in the greenhouse but once it goes out in the garden, it is easy.

The leaves can be used for flavoring but the stems are tough.

After a full season in the garden, the celeriac bulb begins to develop. Added to anything that requires potatoes, it provides a pleasant celery flavor. And, it is probably every bit as starchy as a potato. Wonderful!

Steve

Here is the Celery pulled up

jal_ut wrote:Celery: The most frustrating of plants. It has never done anything at all for me. Must take special conditions that I don't have here. ???

My advice: Grow something else.

Yeah, you and me both, jal_ut, and for the same reason. Tonight I grabbed The Book, and here's what Sunset says:

"Celery...needs long period of warmth but not high heat...." I ain't got one; do you?

and

"Celeriac...growth requirements are same as for celery....Harvest when roots are 3 in. across or larger--about 100 to 120 days after transplanting."

Both plants are described as "Biennial grown as annual," need rich soil, full sun, regular water, that long period of warmth but not high heat, liquid fertilizer (according to Sunset), and probably sacrificial plants of other orders--I.e., non-Umbelliferae aka Apiaceae--under a full moon, for all I know.

Yep, your basic pampered little darlings; neither of us can give them that warmth and full sun they desire.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

Well, I can give it a long period of warmth and for me it is easy. I have a clump in one of my back yard beds that I started from seed early in the year. It has thrived, even though that bed is not full sun. Until the recent snowfall, it was still green, after a bunch of frosty nights.

This year was the first year I grew celery in a long time and it is definitely going on my must grow list.

What variety did you grow? Did I ask before?

I will start it by seed too. I only need 1 or 2 plants. If I see it isn't working out early on I'll pull it and put something in its place. I think I am gonna start mine late JAN.

I think it was the Tango Hybrid that Jung sells.

Thanks, I'll look for it.

I missed my window of opportunity. I should have planted my celery seed in October. Our climate gets too hot for celery unless planted in the fall. THAT is why I had no success last year - I planted in February. Duh

All of you provide me with constant inspiration. I have started a journal to really monitor my planting results and also to paste information and advice that you provide.

Thank you ALL for the wonderful information, advice and inspiration

I can't grow celery, it bolts in the heat and never amounts to much. I do grow smallage (Leaf celery). It has a stronger flavor than celery so it really isn't eaten raw. But chopped up in small amounts it works fine as a substitute in salad, soups, casseroles, and stews and it can handle way more heat.

Wow that's crazy! Looks like celeriac, but some varieties of celery are more prone to bulbing than others, esp the commercial varieities because they tend to stand more upright and can be blanched easily. Mine seems to do best when I give it light but frequent (every other day in winter, everyday in summer) water. Don't let the soil get soggy, though mine will tolerate a degree of dryness. It also seems to require almost as much fert as the nightshades. Maybe it's just mine, but I also keep it in pots.

I grow both celery and celeriac. My celery made it through the summer here without bolting, but does not stand upright like the celeriac. It has a way better flavor than grocery store variety and as said before, is biennial. It will bolt in it's second year and go to seed and die, provided you can keep it alive through the first summer. If I'm going to eat the bulb of the celeriac I always harvest it as young as possible.