OK - I give up (Celeriac)

[la cebolla grande]

Love the stuff, can't get enough of it.

Last year planted some seed, germinated and all grew well, but I'd left it too late and it never really got going (used the leaves though).

This year I have tried umpteen times to get the blasted stuff to germinate. WHAT am I doing wrong??

Used old seed, used new seed. Tried all in modules indoors, but varied things such as:

Heat - kept warm, kept cool, soaked some seed before planting, put some in the fridge before planting, put some straight in soil.

Using seed compost (good stuff) kept middling moist.

Germination rate so far in ALL these options 0%. Most recent sown 3 weeks ago, first stuff nearly 2 months ago

HELP!!!

Of course, its now probably too late this year again, even if I get some of the wretched stuff to germinate it will be too late for it to bulk up. I guess Mr Sainsbury will have my custom for another year.....

LCG

[Flummery]

The only time I did much good with it was by buying plug plants. Cheating I know.

[la cebolla grande]

I've been desperately been scouring garden centres for plug plants of this - but haven't found any yet - would certainly buy if only I could find (although they do seem to be seeling celery for trenching. Ooooh - hard work!

LCG

[shirlthegirl43]

I got my celeriac seeds in the post this morning. Going to try sowing some later today and see how I get on.

[Red]

I had every imaginable problem with growing celeriac for years, before finally cracking it - now I get a good crop ever year. But the one problem I’ve never had is germination ... so I’ve no idea what you're doing wrong!

I strongly suspect you might just be suffering from bad luck. And of course there is no cure for that - but you might have better luck next year.

For what it’s worth (not much in your case, Cebolla, I’m afraid, since it sounds like you've already tried every variation), I sow in March in a small seed tray in fresh multi purpose compost in an unheated greenhouse. I protect the seed tray from early molluscs with copper tape.

If you do manage to get any seedlings next year, the two most important things to remember, in my experience, are:

* Water it like mad. If you’re flooded, and the fire brigade evacuate you, sneak back during the night to water your celeriac, even if it is under a foot of water. It will never have too much water. Then water it again.

* It has to be planted out exactly right, slightly proud of the soil. The crown of the seedling mustn't be buried, otherwise you’ll get nothing to eat. This makes the newly-planted seedling very susceptible to drying out in its first week or so, so gently and frequently water it during that time to try and settle the roots without washing soil over the crown. If necessary, carefully use your finger just to keep the soil clear of the crown.

[Red]

PS: <<Of course, its now probably too late this year again, even if I get some of the wretched stuff to germinate it will be too late for it to bulk up.>>

Not at all - plenty of time to get a decent crop, provided you're not going for record-breaking weights.

[shirlthegirl43]

That's brilliant Red, thanks. Now, when I sow my seeds, should I cover them or leave on the surface? There's not much in the way of instructions with the seeds! The variety is Prinz

[Headfry]

Try again! please- it is so yummy!!
I use compost with a layer of fine vermiculite on top! no problems.

[Red]

Yes, I cover them lightly with compost or vermic. Once they've got some proper leaves on them, or when they begin to look overcrowded, or (let's be honest!) when I get round to it, I'll prick them out into cellular trays. After hardening off I plant them out in May-June, about a foot apart.

One of my favourite ways of eating celeriac is to peel it, then cut thick slices -like pineapple rings - and steam them in an electric steamer for about 20 minutes until tender. You get the full wonderful flavour that way.

[Headfry]

cook and mash them with butter and pepper, even a little nutmeg!!!!
soup--- they make a lovely soup,
raw--- yum yum
Roasted in goose fat---
now I'm hungry ;-)

[shirlthegirl43]

If I sow them in fibre pots will that suit them okay? I am pretty useless at finding time to prick out and plant on so have been sowing everything in fibre or newspaper pots this year to make it easier for me later on when transferring to the garden.

[Headfry]

Hi there Shirley, I grow mine in paper pots and they do just fine!

[Red]

Yes, they'll be fine.

[muckdiva]

I sowed Prinz this year too, didn't cover the seeds with compost though -think it said not to on the packet. Germinated fine that way. I have half a dozen seedlings which came up once I'd pricked the main lot out, happy to send them to you by post, but no idea if they will survive the trip. PM if you want them.

[Two_Sheds]

This is my first year of growing. I put the (new) seeds in cell trays, multi-purpose compost, in propagator (they need a min of 16 C to germinate). The came up in about 10-14 days, and are now growing on in an unheated greenhouse.