Celeriac - Complete novice questions

[timfoster]

Hi,

I came across this site whilst googling how to tell if my celeriac was ready.

We had a supermarket bulb that was starting to sprout at the top. We chopped it off and ate the bulb (very nice it was too!) but I put the sprouting top into water and it continued to grow. Now I've transferred it to a 10" deep (approx. 6" circumference) pot on the kitchen window sill. It's sitting in soil and being very regularly watered and seems to be doing ok.

However, whilst I know it's not ready yet after having only been growing for about three weeks, I have some questions.

Firstly, when can I plant it outside? Everything I read seems to imply it's a winter veg and so should be planted around Sep-Oct.

Secondly, is the pot it's currently in going to be big enough?

Thirdly, I read that you should be able to tell if it's ready to be pulled up by looking at the crown above the soil line. As mine has come from a bulb, the crown is as big as the original plant (if it ever crowns out of the soil) so how will I be able to tell?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Tim and welcome to the Vine
I don't want to disappoint you but your celeriac is unlikely to grow another "swollen stem" - the part you have eaten. It will probably grow little stringy roots, leaves and will flower, setting seeds from which you "may" be able to grow more celeriac.
The good news is that the leaves can be used sparingly in cooking as a celery substitute.

[timfoster]

Hi Tim and welcome to the Vine
I don't want to disappoint you but your celeriac is unlikely to grow another "swollen stem" - the part you have eaten. It will probably grow little stringy roots, leaves and will flower, setting seeds from which you "may" be able to grow more celeriac.
The good news is that the leaves can be used sparingly in cooking as a celery substitute.

Hmph! Well that's my bubble well and truly burst And I was so proud of my sprouting bulb too.

I will definitely try the leave though. Are we talking salads or cooking? I've never understood why people cook with celery. The best part is the crunch.

I'll keep it going though. If, as you say, I could possibly get the seeds that may turn into full grown celeriac next season it's got to be worth a try. Free stuff is always better than paid for

[veggiechicken]

Never mind, Tim, you can bluff your way through it and say you intended to save seeds from it,not eat it!
Personally, I have trouble eating celeriac as they remind me of shrunken heads
If you want a real challenge, try growing brussels sprouts http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ent_69270.html

PS, there are a few Nutters on here

[Mrs Bee]

If you want to grow celeriac I would buy a packet. The seeds from yours may not come true.

Celeriac can be a bit of prima donna but we seem to do quite well with it.

I will start mine off in a heated propagator this weekend. Sprinkle the seed on some compost mixe with a little perlite. Don't cover the seeds. And wait. When they are up take the tray out of the propagator and leave on a well lit windowsill.

When they are big enough I pot them on in some little homemade paper pots until it is time to plant out.

We plant ours in a semi shaded spot because if it is too hot they can go to seed, sulk and not bulb up.

They also need plenty of water and feed and the leaves need cutting back to encourage the bulb to root up.

Sounds a little faffy but we got a lovely harvest last Autumn and are enjoying them now.

[Mrs Bee]

Not to shabby a size either.