[Agatha]

Have a packet of Celeriac Bianco del Veneto to sow this year.  Any ideas as to when would be the best time to sow it as I've not grown it before?  The packet says from Feb but that is much too early!  How long can they cope indoors before being planted out?  I know a drop in temperature can encourage bolting and my veg patch is quite exposed and at least a week behind the nearest village in cropping.

[savbo]

last year I sowed in early April which was too late - in 2011, I sowed 15th March with some heat and had most up in 2 weeks... will be doing a March sowing again to give me a long growing season. I sow in a small tray then prick out into 2" pots until they are ready for the ground. Will plant them out in early May if weather OK

sav

[Jamrock]

Have a packet of Celeriac Bianco del Veneto to sow this year.  I know a drop in temperature can encourage bolting and my veg patch is quite exposed and at least a week behind the nearest village in cropping.

I've not heard of that variety before, where did you get it if you dont mind me asking?

If you have problems with bolting make sure you gradually harden your plants off before planting out

[mumofstig]

Seeds of Italy stock it
http://www.seedsofitaly.com/CELERIAC_DEL_VENETO/p1834925_8313177.aspx

[Mrs Bee]

I sow mine in February in seed trays in a heated propagator and prick them out into individual paper pots when they are large enough.

[sunshineband]

I sow mine in February in seed trays in a heated propagator and prick them out into individual paper pots when they are large enough.

Worked for me last year too 

[compostqueen]

It's a lovely variety, it has purple streaks to the flesh and foliage

I just checked back and I sowed mine on 28 Feb 

[Agatha]

Have a packet of Celeriac Bianco del Veneto to sow this year.  I know a drop in temperature can encourage bolting and my veg patch is quite exposed and at least a week behind the nearest village in cropping.

I've not heard of that variety before, where did you get it if you dont mind me asking?

If you have problems with bolting make sure you gradually harden your plants off before planting out

It's from the Franchi sementi range of seeds (Italian).  Obviously us Wiltshire folks are far too insular and don't trust this 'foreign stuff' as the garden centre were selling the whole range off for 10p a packet - Bargain!  I also got a pumpkin Tonda padana (yellow and green stripy) and a chilli pepper Padron.

[Agatha]

last year I sowed in early April which was too late - in 2011, I sowed 15th March with some heat and had most up in 2 weeks... will be doing a March sowing again to give me a long growing season. I sow in a small tray then prick out into 2" pots until they are ready for the ground. Will plant them out in early May if weather OK

sav

Would they last longer in pots if the weather not ok in early May?  I tend not to put stuff that is really temperature sensitive out until late May/early June.  My garden is quite exposed and the windchill factor does cause a problem sometimes!

[hightide]

Bob Flowerdew on G.Q.T. today, said now in propagator - they need a long season with plenty of moisture. Apparently they like plenty of moisture and a rich soil like Celery, also said to pull off the lowest leaf around weekly intervals when plant bulbing reaches ping pong ball size to increase size.

 

[sunshineband]

last year I sowed in early April which was too late - in 2011, I sowed 15th March with some heat and had most up in 2 weeks... will be doing a March sowing again to give me a long growing season. I sow in a small tray then prick out into 2" pots until they are ready for the ground. Will plant them out in early May if weather OK

sav

Would they last longer in pots if the weather not ok in early May?  I tend not to put stuff that is really temperature sensitive out until late May/early June.  My garden is quite exposed and the windchill factor does cause a problem sometimes!

As long as they have enough space, and a bit of a feed if they are in the same compost for more than a month, then yes, they will be fine.

[Agatha]

Thanks for all this.  Will hope to have enormous celeriac this year, though I'm not sure I'll have the time to take a leaf off each celeriac each week as advised by Mr Flowerdew!

[DigIt]

Bob Flowerdew on G.Q.T. today, said now in propagator - they need a long season with plenty of moisture. Apparently they like plenty of moisture and a rich soil like Celery, also said to pull off the lowest leaf around weekly intervals when plant bulbing reaches ping pong ball size to increase size.

 

Sadly mine never got to ping pong ball size 

[Agatha]

You could try marketing them as 'mini-veg'.   

[DigIt]

You could try marketing them as 'mini-veg'.   

I think Trading Standards might have words if I did.
Mini would be overstating it somewhat.

I doubt I shall try again. Love celeriac but grow it... no chance.