These vegetables are a rich source of vitamins and minerals (calcium, phosphorus and iron), especially in their leaves.They contain vitamin A, small amounts of vitamin C and a large amount of oils ethereal, favoring digestion and improving appetite. All botanical varieties of celery: root, leaf and leaf are biennial plants, that is, they form generative organs in the second year of cultivation. However, in unfavorable thermal conditions, the plants may become vernal, which reduces their utility value. In the initial period of growth, their seedlings look very similar, the differences begin to become visible later.
Contents:
- Root celery
- Ribbed celery
- Leaf celery
- Cultivation of celery
- Celery bleaching
Root celery
Celery is a relatively popular vegetable. The most commonly cultivated celery species is Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum, although it is quite a "young" vegetable. It was obtained as a result of long-term breeding, and more widely it began to be cultivated in the 18th century.Its main usable part is a storage root with a spherical or spherical-elongated shape, as well as a topping.
Ribbed celery
Ribbed celery Apium graveolens L. var. Is becoming more and more popular in our country. dulce, which was known in antiquity and used as a medicinal and decorative plant. However, it should be borne in mind that the one available in supermarkets is most often imported and appears mainly in the autumn and winter period.
Leaf celery
The least known and widespread in cultivation and consumption is Apium graveolens L leaf celery. var. secalinum, the closest to wild celery, from which all the listed botanical varieties are derived. Contrary to the ribbed celery, the useable part of which is thick, fleshy leaf petioles, the leaf petioles of leaf celery are thinner and hollow, but more aromatic, and its leaves are smaller. Therefore, root and celery are used as a vegetable, while leaf celery is used more as a spice.
Due to the long growing season, these vegetables are grown only from seedlings. In the case of root celery it is even 140-150 days from planting the seedlings, and in the case of leaf and leaf celery it is from 80 to 110-120 days, depending on the variety.
Cultivation of celery
Celery grows best at a temperature of 15-18 ° C.However, to obtain even emergence in seedling production, initially the temperature should be approx. 25 ° C, then 16-18 ° C, paying attention not to drop below 14 ° C, which may affect the formation of rush.The production of seedlings takes approx. 6-8 weeks, and after the production of the first true leaves, the seedlings are quilted into multi-pots or seed boxes with a 4x4 cm spacing.
The best date for celery planting is the second half of May. In the case of early celery varieties, a later cultivation date for the fall harvest is also possible. The seedlings are then planted in the first half of July. Celery grows best on moist and warm mineral soils fed with organic fertilizers.Good quality crops will not be obtained on clay, heavy and sandy.
Celery bleaching
Since the petioles are the useful part of ribbed celery, one of the most important care treatments is bleaching.This treatment involves cutting off the flow of light to this part of the plant about 10 days before harvesting. This can be achieved by wrapping the tails with thick paper or black agrotextile. Ring pots are also suitable for this purpose. You can also use a smaller plant spacing when planting or cultivate varieties of the so-called self-whitening (e.g. 'Tango').
