Celeriac

Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, (celeriac, celery root, or knob celery) is a variety of celery cultivated for its edible roots, hypocotyl, and shoots;

Celeriac is a root vegetable with a bulbous hypocotyl. Celeriac originated in the Mediterranean Basin. It is cultivated in Mediterranean Basin and in Northern Europe, North Africa, Siberia, Southwest Asia, and North America.

Culinary Uses
Celeriac is harvested when the hypocotyl is 10–14 cm in diameter.undefinedIt is edible raw or cooked, and tastes like a cross between potato (Solanum tuberosum) and common celery cultivars (Apium graveolens var. dulce). Celeriac may be roasted, stewed, blanched, or mashed. Celeriac is most often used as an ingredient in soups and casseroles.

Unlike many root vegetables, celeriac contains little starch: 5–6% by weight.

The shelf life of celeriac is approximately three to four months if stored properly in a damp root cellar or refrigerator between 0°C (32°F) and 5°C (41°F).

Cultivation Info
{| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" width="100%"  Celery ( Apium graveolens) is a cool season biennial in the Umbelliferae family, which includes parsnip, carrot, dill, chervil, coriander, parsley, skirret and fennel.
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Position
 Celery prefers full sun, can tolerate shade.
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Soil and Nutrient Requirements
 Celery needs a well fertilized soil with pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It can tolerate soils that are less well drained, as it needs plenty of steady moisture. Heavy clay soils are not acceptable, as some roots need to penetrate to 2’ deep. Celery is a heavy feeder and likes plenty of organic matter in the soil. Use a high phosphorus starter mix at a rate of 3lbs/50 gallons of water. Give each plant 1 cup. Side dress with 50 lbs/acre Nitrogen. Celery is susceptible to Magnesium and Calcium deficiency. Use dolomitic limestone or Epsom salts at 8lbs/acre.
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Seeding Depth
 Seeds need light to germinate: cover lightly. Plant several seeds per cell. Plants are slow to germinate.
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Plant Spacing
 6-10”
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Row Spacing
 24-36”
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When to Sow
 Celery has a long growing season (100+ days) and performs best in cool, wet conditions with high fertility. Transplanting is highly recommended. Start seedlings indoors 10-12 weeks before planting date. Sow thickly into flats and pot up into cells or individual containers after first two true leaves appear. Seedlings emerge in 2-3 weeks. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70-75°F; following germination, lower temperatures to 60-70°F. Transplants can be planted outdoors 2-3 weeks before last frost date. Harden plants off by reducing water for one week. Do not decrease temperature, as a ten day period with nights below 40°F and days below 55°F can cause bolting.
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Frost Tolerant
 Celery tolerates light frost only.
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Drought Tolerant
 No. Lack of moisture will make stalks bitter and fibrous.
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Heat Tolerant
 Celery doesn’t tolerate high temperatures well.
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Seed Specs
 65-70M seeds/oz (67,500M avg).
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Seeding Rate
 43,560 plants/acre, using 8” plant spacing, 24” row spacing or 27,225 plants/acre, using 12" plant spacing, 12" row spacing. M=1,000
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Seed Coating / Pelleting Info
 Some of the varieties we carry receive an organic film coating applied to the seed, which make the seed easier to see during planting.
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Harvest
 After harvest, cool stalk heads immediately in water. If freshly harvested celery is bitter, store just above freezing for a few days to improve flavor.
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Pest Info

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 * Aphids can be washed off with a strong stream of water or controlled with insecticidal soap.
 * Tanglefoot traps can catch Tarnished Plant Bug.
 * Cabbage Looper can be controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (such as Dipel DF, see Supplies) and/or spinosad (such as Entrust™), preferentially in rotation with one another to prevent selection of resistant individuals (check with your certifier before applying).
 * For Whiteflies, try spinosad or insecticidal soap.
 * Cutworms can be defeated by placing a collar around the plant.
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Disease Info

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 * Fungal leaf blights caused by either Alternaria dauci or Cercospora carotae can cause severe defoliation and greatly reduce yields. Generally cercospora blight appears earlier than alternaria blight. Both these fungi are seed-borne and can also be spread by crop residues from previous years. Damage by Alternaria dauci has previously been overestimated due to the similarity in symptoms between blight caused by Alternaria dauci and blight caused by Alternaria alternata, which is a weaker, soil-borne pathogen that is extremely common and attacks many different plants under stress.
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Other Known Issues
    Black Heart is a calcium deficiency that can be addressed by using lime that contains calcium.
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Organic Cultivars
Mars

Prinz

F1 Diament

Sources & Further Info
High Mowing Organic Seeds

Johnny's Selected Seeds

Fedco Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds