OK - I give up (Celeriac)

[dajehle]

Poor La Cebolla Grande. I think Red is right about the bad luck. I've never had celeriac problems.

But Nigella??????? The stuff self seeds in every garden. I nick a few seed heads, buy new seed, plant spares... And have not had any luck at all the past 2 years. TWO YEARS!! This year I have one.

Some things are just not meant to be, others just bad luck.

If my celeriac plants look healthy enough in a month, I can maybe send you a couple if you can't find any plugs. I've not got many, but still too many for just the two of us in my house.

[Paulottie]

I had pretty poor result with the Feb sowing...about 12 from 40. Having another go for a second batch. I sow in modules with 3/4 seeds in each. bit of fine sieved vermiculite on top and covered with a little bubble wrap frame. I set it on the bench of an insulated/ vented greenhouse. Try and keep the temperature a bit consistent. Really other posters are right they do take a while to get going but the final size has more to do with water supply/soil richness. I find pulling the outside leaves off helps too. I was going to try growing them in a shallow trench this year(to flood) but I am now toying with the idea of growing through mypex using a seep hose underneath.

Strange you can't get them started you seem to have covered all the normal pitfalls. Shame cos they are a very good crop for the winter. Go on have one more go there is still time.

[Red]

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.

Just in case anyone reading this thinks it means that you need a propagator to get celeriac going - relax, you really don’t! Here in the south of England, at any rate, they’ll germinate very happily in March in a cold greenhouse.

[la cebolla grande]

OK, back in UK and ready to go for the weekend. Included in my plans is the final attempt at Celeriac - will let you all know how it goes, thanks for your help!

LCG

[baggyman]

After 3 weeks of waiting mine are now popping up...... just hope they aren't too late!

[Alison]

Marshalls are selling them in plug plants (Marshalls Seeds Product Detail- 1080-5915: Celeriac Brilliant) although a bit on the expensive side if you ask me.

[shirlthegirl43]

Marshalls are selling them in plug plants (Marshalls Seeds Product Detail- 1080-5915: Celeriac Brilliant) although a bit on the expensive side if you ask me.

Spotted them in Homebase yesterday - 10 plants for 1.99 Might just buy some tomorrow since mine don't seem keen to germinate.

[eskymo]

I find the only success I have with celeriac is to get the seeds to germinate in trays - putting the seeds on top of wet tissue. I then cover the trays with clingfilm and put them on my office windowsil. I spray with watre everyday and they take about 3 weeks to decide to sprout. i do it this way as then I can keep an eye on them and they're always there and I can't forget about them. The times that I have planted them into compost in plugs and nothing happens, I get impatient and think the seeds must be old or the soil has been too wet - I'm just not patient enough. I've got 14 seeds on the windowsill at the moment and they sprouted a few days ago. I'm going to transplant them into plugs later on today or tomorrow.

One question I'd like to ask about celeriac is - can I grow them in pots? I'm about to move house and the new garden is not very vegplot friendly and I have a lot of work to do once I'm there and I think I'm going to have to grow the majority of my veg in pots this year - this is fine for my salads, toms, courgettes etc but I'm not sure what to do with my celeriac / beetroot / turnips - can these be grown in pots?

[eskymo]

Nice pics and info here:
How to Grow Celeriac Growing Celeriac

[la cebolla grande]

OK. The saga continues!!!

My final attempt at seeds - kept at 15 degrees, well watered, fresh seed etc etc failed, not a single germination, and despite the fact I live in Norfolk I managed to find some well-grown plants in trays at a garden centre near my parents in Dorset (not many gcs seem to do them). Young plants immediately bought, and planted out in garden - in little divots so they will hold the water.

One problem, reading back through this thread. I have a south facing, sandy sheltered garden in Breckland - ie very very hot and dry - so I guess I will be spending my entire summer standing over them with a hose pipe!!!

They should get shaded by the beans and courgettes, but better to have them in garden rather than lottie as we generally don't water up there!

Fingers crossed. I do sometimes think - and I know this is a DREADFUL thing to say - that some veg are easier to buy in Tescos!!!!

LCG