Mhagno F1

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Order

Apiales

Genus

Apium

Species

graveolens

Description

A herbaceous plant cultivated, depending on the variety, for the head or root used in the culinary field to add flavour to typical Italian dishes or as a side vegetable. Of average rusticity, it prefers a cool climate and well-draining soil, and to obtain a good final yield it requires irrigation and fertilisation in proportion to its needs in the various stages of development.

Variety description

It is a variety with a very vigorous and productive plant, medium internodes and bright green leaf colour. The hybrid has a medium cycle: it can be transplanted from early spring until midsummer. Round, rather smooth ribs. The variety is tolerant to physiological sponginess and seed set. Plant with easy crop management and a rather fast development cycle.

Curiosities and special features

Depending on the variety used, celery is widely used in gastronomy, both raw and cooked, for the head used in centrifuges or to add flavour to stews, casseroles and soups, or for the root in meat or fish dishes as well as breaded or to create tasty creams.

The plant is also used in herbal medicine for the preparation of decoctions, infusions and tinctures as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and digestive remedy, and is also used in cosmetics to make anti-wrinkle masks.

Origin and distribution

The wild species is native to the temperate and humid zones of Asia, Southern Europe and North Africa, from which, following millennia of domestication and cultivation dating back to Ancient Greece, numerous cultivars derive, including celeriac(Apium graveolens var. rapaceum), the root of which is used, and ribbed celery(Apium graveolens var. duce), used for its leaves and stalks.

Flower size

The flower individually is average in size when compared to other varieties of the same species.

Leaf

The leaves have an astate-based lamina.

Fruit

The leaf is elongated in shape and seedless, weighing between 700 and 1000 grams with a firm consistency. It varies in size from 30 to 60 cm in length and 15 to 25 cm in width. The skin is not edible, while the colouring is two-tone. From a sensory point of view, the aroma is intense and delicate, the scent very fragrant, the taste strong and the flavour characteristic and aromatic. In terms of quality, the plant proves to be rather vigorous with leaves that are always well stretched and of good quality overall. The edible part also includes the herbaceous stem.

Flowering period

Flowering takes place in the year following the year of cultivation and is only useful if seed is to be obtained for future propagation of the plant. In general, the crop must be harvested before possible flowering.

Inflorescence

Umbrella inflorescence, typical of many species belonging to the botanical family Umbelliferae.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.4 to 0.6 m.

Lifespan

A biennial plant.

Where to plant

Can be grown in beds, open fields, large pots, outdoor tubs

Stem

The stem is herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple shape and is of medium size. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel inflorescences. It flowers from summer to autumn, with a flowering period of between 35 and 50 days. It exudes an intense aroma. It is attractive to beetles.

Growth

The variety shows determined growth reaching a specific size.

Plant habit

Variety with an erect habit.

Branching

Abundant branching.

PH

It prefers soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, with optimum values between 6.5 and 7.5.

Soil preparation

Before the spring-summer transplanting in the field or in the flowerbed, carry out a deep digging of about 20/30 cm, removing any weeds and residues of previous crops, proceed by burying organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and, with the help of a hoe, break up the coarsest clods. To favour proper drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised bed by lightly bouldering, then carefully level the surface using a rake.

Intervene promptly and periodically during the entire vegetative cycle to remove weeds adjacent to the crop by weeding or hoeing the surface while also breaking up any surface crust.

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Sun exposure

It grows well if exposed to full sun with proportionate watering at different stages of vegetative development.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 24 °C; it prefers a cool climate.

Use

Varieties of celery used in

Agribusiness

Hardiness

The variety has a medium to high rusticity; in a suitable growing medium and with correct irrigation, excellent results in terms of production and quality can be achieved.

Soil

In order to achieve proper vegetative growth followed by a good level of production, the best soil condition is medium-textured, deep, well-draining and fresh soil with organic matter. For cultivation in pots, we recommend a horticultural soil containing blond and brown peat.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy with an overall average level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some cultivation tips for best growth performance:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering

Intercropping/combination

Can be grown in intercropping with cress, lettuce and radish.

Planting

When transplanting, adopt an average density of 10 plants per square metre so that each individual specimen can properly develop its root and leaf apparatus. It is also advisable to use young seedlings with intact, white roots, taking care to remove them from the container without damaging them and placing them on a raised bed of 15/20 cm with the vegetative apex off the soil surface, avoiding over-compressing the lump. Water immediately after transplanting, preferably during the morning hours.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pruning

For the ribbed varieties, perform the harvest cut at the desired height using tools with sharp, clean blades.

For root varieties, after harvesting the whole plant, cut off all the small roots that branch off the main root while the leaves, if healthy, can be used in cooking as for rib celery.

Propagation

Reproduction can be by sowing.

Repotting

Perform spring repotting if the plant shows stunted growth with poor leaf and root development.

Watering

The plant is demanding in terms of irrigation, especially during the summer period, so we suggest that care be taken to keep the growing medium always at the correct humidity but avoiding water stagnation. Use rainwater, alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal neutral pH and, especially in the early stages of cultivation, with low salinity, either manually or by means of an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the plant as it is more exposed to water stress in the new site, keeping the latter at a constant humidity free of saturation conditions. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between irrigation sessions, keeping it moist but free of stagnation. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases. In hot and dry periods, it is of paramount importance to increase irrigation to prevent the plant from potential water stress.

For eventual sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate; also, after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation it is advisable to carry out a background fertilisation with organo-mineral fertiliser to provide the elements the plant needs in the early stages of growth. Afterwards, it is important to use a complete water-soluble horticultural fertiliser with a higher phosphorus content to promote optimal rooting. Care should be taken to meet the plant's nutrient requirements in good time to avoid any possible deficiencies and thus ensure better final production.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity not known; consider the individual case and consult your veterinarian before any administration.

Edibility for humans

Depending on the variety, the edible part may be the leaves and petioles or the root.

Toxicity for humans

The edible parts of the plant are not toxic if ingested fresh and well preserved; consider the specific case for possible intolerances.

Tip

The variety whose entire plant is harvested for consumption needs to be continuously defended against fungal pathogens such as Septoria and Cercospora, as well as Alternaria and Sclerotinia. The control of Aphids, Pyralids and Myridae, which can seriously damage the entire plant, must not be neglected. Adequate water supply of the soil must be ensured, especially in the phase of strong plant growth and in periods of drought and high temperatures. In the case of high temperatures, the plant is aided by sprinkling irrigation in the middle of the day (so that the aerial part can dry out quickly before the evening).