Growing leaf celery from seeds
Leafy celery is not a fussy plant. Light frosts are not terrible. Seedlings can appear even when planted in open areas.
How and When to Plant Celery Leaf Seeds?
Leaf celery seeds can be planted provided the soil is already optimally heated. The best time to grow seedlings is mid-April and early May.
But the best method for growing leafy celery is by planting seedlings. A higher yield is obtained.
Sowing leaf celery seeds for seedlings is necessary in mid-March. The soil for planting must be prepared in advance. It should consist of humus, sand and low-lying peat.
For leaf celery seeds to germinate faster, it is necessary to process them with growth stimulants. After that, keep the planting material in warm water for 3 days. It is worth immediately removing small grains. They will not yield a large harvest.
Seeds of leaf celery are arranged in rows in the ground, and sprinkle lightly with peat on top. By making this landing option, it will be possible to avoid a dive. This sowing method allows only young shoots to be thinned. As a result, each seedling will receive the necessary nutritional area.
After the leaf celery seeds have been sown, but have not yet emerged, cover the seed boxes with foil. Place the boxes in a place where the temperature is maintained at 20-24 degrees. If all these conditions are met, seedlings can be expected on day 8.
After that, the film is removed and the seedlings should be placed in a well-lit place where the air temperature is 14 degrees. Under these conditions, the seedlings will not stretch out, and the root system will develop faster. It is necessary to regularly water the seedlings of leaf celery, loosen the ground, ventilate the room, and use additional lighting. After two leaves appear, you need to make a pick of the plants.
Leafy celery: how to grow seeds
When planting a leaf in open ground, the distance between rows should be 25-30 cm, and between rows - 18-20 cm.
A plant that has already taken root is not afraid of exposure to frost down to -5 degrees. And the already grown bush can withstand temperatures up to -8 degrees. The most suitable temperature for growing celery is 15-20 degrees.
Leafy celery loves moisture. But care should be taken with regular watering - do not flood. You also need to water the plant after each cut of greenery. After each moistening, it is necessary to loosen the soil to ensure air circulation to the plant roots.
Celery leaf without light claims. Planting leaf celery seeds in the ground can be done in a well-lit area. But even a little shading will not affect the culture in any way. It will grow very fragrant.
During the entire time of growing celery leaves, you need to do two dressings. The first is when the first shoots appear. Here you need to prepare organic ingredients: Biud, bird droppings or mullein. You can also feed the soil with fermented grass. The second feed is done after 3 weeks. It is necessary to include the use of mineral fertilizers. Top dressing is done after watering and then loosening is performed.
Leaf celery should be cut 1.5 months after the seedlings are formed. A small petiole should remain at the root.
For the entire growing season, you can harvest the leaf celery grown from seeds 2-3 times.
It is possible to obtain a higher yield of leaf celery if irrigation and fertilization were carried out after cutting the plant. Keep cut greens in plastic bags for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. If you need to save celery for the winter, you need to tie the leaves into bunches and dry them in a special electric dryer.
Pests and diseases
Snails and slugs destroy the harvest of leafy celery. To avoid these pests on the site, it is necessary to carry out regular weeding and garbage collection. You can put anti-slug pellets between the rows. The hogweed fly causes great harm to the crop. When it is defeated, the greens shrink and become bitter.
This product is not suitable for eating. To control this insect, you must use chemical products.
With a strong excess of moisture and stagnant water, the plant can get sick with diseases such as "black leg", bacterial spot, white rot. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to systematically carry out agricultural techniques and combat weeds and pests of leaf celery grown from seeds.