The useful and medicinal properties of celery were known even in ancient Egypt and Greece; healers prepared broth from its roots and leaves. Later this spice began to be added to salads and other dishes, which made their taste more intense and piquant. So celery gained popularity and began to spread around the world, while gourmets appreciated not only its green part, but also petiole and root.
Many modern housewives know not only about the beneficial properties of this plant, but also how to grow petiole celery from seeds or stalks.
Types and advantages of celery
If earlier petiole celery was grown exclusively for the manufacture of medicinal infusions and drugs, today many gardeners are trying to allocate a piece of land for it in the country. Those people who are really interested in the opportunity to live without diseases and to postpone the arrival of old age for an indefinite period of time eat stems, greens or the root of this plant every day. Those who do not have personal plots are trying to learn how to grow petiole celery from seeds at home.
This is due to the composition of the substances and vitamins that make up its stem.
A large number of vitamins PP, B1, B2, K, C, B5 and E provides the human body with the daily norm, even if you eat a thin stem every day.
It contains trace elements such as zinc (part of insulin), iron (hemoglobin base), phosphorus (participates in biochemical processes), selenium (protects against tumors), magnesium (natural antidepressant) and calcium (part of teeth and bones )
Glutamic and nicotinic acids further increase the value of the celery stem.
It also contains apiol, protein and carotene.
Three types of celery are known - root, leaf and petiole. Each of them has its own set of useful properties that positively affect the human body. Some are used as seasoning, others for cooking independent dishes.
Seed selection
Different types of celery not only have a different chemical composition, but also differ in taste. Many home gardeners are interested in petiole celery in terms of useful properties and taste. Growing from seeds of this variety is somewhat troublesome, but its growth period is much longer.
To grow the plant faster, it is better to choose early-growing species, for example, “Golden”, “White Feather”, “Malachite” or “Young”.
The cultivation of this plant is carried out in 2 stages.
Sowing petiole celery seeds for seedlings. Shoots will appear 2 weeks after sowing.
Transplanting sprouts to a permanent place.
There are no difficulties in growing this plant, only you need to be patient, as the maturation period takes from 160 to 180 days.
Seed preparation
In many cultures, seed is pre-disinfected and processed. For beginners, this is also the main point in the question of how to grow petiole celery. Seed preparation begins with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, in which they are lowered for 2-3 hours. After that, they can be sown in previously prepared and moistened soil.
For this plant, a mixture of equal parts of humus, turf land and peat is best suited. The soil mixture must be thoroughly mixed, poured into prepared containers, preferably boxes, and well moistened the day before planting.
Landing
An important question for those who decide to plant petiole celery (growing from seeds) is when to plant this plant. The optimal date is the beginning of March, since the seedlings of this culture are quite capricious.
Before sowing, it is necessary to calcine the soil mixture in the oven or hold it for a couple of minutes 30, which will save it from pathogens and possible pests. It is also desirable to treat the prepared container with potassium permanganate.
Some gardeners sow seeds in moist soil, in which small grooves are made. You can not sprinkle them with earth, but simply cover the container with film and put in a warm and sunny place. The only requirement at this stage is to constantly spray the soil so that it is moistened all the time.
Many gardeners know how to grow petiole celery from seeds in cups.
You need to take plastic disposable cups or make them out of thick paper and fill them with soil mixture.
Set the containers in the boxes, pressing them tightly against each other.
Moisturize the earth and toss several seeds into each cup without sprinkling it with earth.
Cover with a dark bag or film, checking the soil moisture every 2-3 days.
After 10-15 days, thin out the seedlings, leaving 2-3 strong sprouts in each cup.
So that the seedlings do not stretch, you should provide it with a lot of light, for which it is enough to put a box with sprouts on the sunny side or add artificial lighting. If petiole celery (growing from seeds) was planted in early March, then in late May, seedlings can be planted in separate containers. In regions with short and cool summers, sowing should be done in February, and harvesting in August.
Seedling Care
Growing petiole celery seedlings from seeds does not create great difficulties, therefore it is suitable even for beginner gardeners. Sometimes the seedlings of this plant upset them, as they grow extremely slowly.
This is a property of the plant itself - the first 1.5-2 months they rise slightly, but after this period they stretch out before our eyes. Celery requires a minimum of care.
Until the seeds have sprouted, they should only be sprayed to moisten the soil, as they grow on the surface. If watered differently, water can wash them off.
The best air temperature is + 18-20 degrees before emergence and +15 when they hatch.
Watering in summer should be plentiful, and in winter moderate, but water stagnation should not be allowed. You can use drainage.
Fertilizing from liquid organic fertilizers is carried out every 10 days.
If you grow petiole celery at home in winter, you will need additional lighting, which is installed 0.5 m above the seedlings.
Bleaching stems
There are imported varieties of petiole celery, in which stems already bleached grow. Experienced gardeners know how to grow petiole celery from seeds of simple varieties and give it excellent taste and presentation.
First, prepare strips of black polyethylene 20 cm wide and in accordance with the length of the plant. You can use trash bags for this.
Secondly, 2 weeks before harvesting, each plant should be entwined with these ribbons and grabbed with rubber or thread so that they do not come loose. At home, you can use paper instead of polyethylene.
Thirdly, do not spud celery before harvesting, so that its stems are not saturated with the smell of the earth.
In the event that the celery was planted late in time, its growth can be accelerated by additional stimulants.
Diseases and Pests
Even a novice can figure out how to grow petiole celery from seeds. But although caring for celery does not take much time, this plant is moody. For example, if watering is not enough for him, he will "take revenge" on the tasteless middle part of the stem, which becomes completely inedible.
Putrefactive bacteria can get inside the plant, although outwardly this will not manifest itself. It is important to monitor the quality of irrigation, if it is insufficient, the stalk will crack in the plant. The main pests of celery in open ground are snails and slugs that like juicy stems. At home, stagnation of water can become a problem, which causes root decay and thereby contributes to the appearance of mold and rot.
Harvest Storage
After the petioles are cut, it is recommended to immediately eat them. So they maximize their nutritional and beneficial properties. To store this plant, you need a dense, well-closing plastic bag in which the petioles can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 5 days.
If you use aluminum foil, then this period can be extended up to 7-10 days. In the event that the greens at the petiole slightly faded, experienced chefs recommend putting it for a couple of hours in ice water. This will refresh him, return the saturated color and elasticity to the leaves.
Gourmet Tips
It is important not only to know how to grow petiole celery from seeds, you need to be able to properly and tasty cook it. Nowadays, it is often recommended not only by nutritionists, but also by gourmets, and even doctors.
Juicy and fragrant stems are added to salads, in which it goes well with tomatoes, nuts and leeks. Some chefs even make desserts with it, mixing it with peanut butter.
The concave shape of the stems allows you to use them as a container for snacks and salads. For example, they can be filled with salad, based on chicken or seafood. The aroma of the vegetable will give them piquancy. In such "boats" you can serve a curd snack with an egg and chicken, seasoning everything with mayonnaise.
Many housewives prefer to add celery stalks to scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs, and even the most demanding gourmet will appreciate these dishes with grated cheese.
Overweight people are recommended by nutritionists to learn how to grow petiole celery from seeds at home, so that it is at hand on fasting days. It improves metabolism and thereby contributes to a gradual and beneficial weight loss, which will not be followed by a new weight gain.
There are few kilocalories in celery; it fills the body with useful vitamins and minerals that a person needs so much on fasting days or during a diet.