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Description
Apium Graveolens Var. Dulce Golden Self-Blanching, commonly known as celery, is a biennial plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. This plant is highly valued for its edible stalks, which are commonly used in salads, soups, and stews. The Golden Self-Blanching variety is a popular cultivar that produces crisp, flavorful, and tender stalks that are self-blanching, meaning they do not require additional earthing up or covering to achieve their characteristic pale yellow color.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Apiales |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Genus | Apium |
Appearance
The Golden Self-Blanching celery plant grows up to 24 inches in height and is characterized by its bright green leaves and yellow-green stalks. The stalks are long, thin, and crisp, with a mild and slightly sweet flavor. The plant produces small white flowers that eventually turn into small, round, and ridged seeds.
Care Guide
Golden Self-Blanching celery plants require moderate care to thrive. Here are some tips to help you take care of your plants:
- Water: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Ensure that the soil is well-draining to avoid root rot.
- Fertilization: Fertilize the plants every two weeks using a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
- Soil: Celery plants prefer a rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Sunlight: Golden Self-Blanching celery plants require full sun to partial shade to grow well.
- Hardiness Zones: This variety of celery is hardy in zones 4-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Celery plants are susceptible to several pests and diseases, including:
- Aphids: These small insects feed on the plant’s sap and cause stunted growth, yellowing, and curling of leaves.
- Leaf spot: This fungal disease causes brown spots on the leaves and may lead to defoliation.
- Celery fly: This pest lays eggs on the leaves, which hatch into maggots that feed on the stems and leaves, causing yellowing and wilting.
- Root rot: This disease is caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil and leads to the decay of the plant’s roots.
Habitat
The Golden Self-Blanching celery plant is native to the Mediterranean region and requires warm temperatures to grow well. It is commonly grown in gardens and farms for its edible stalks.
Question and Answer
- Q: How long does it take for the Golden Self-Blanching celery to mature?
- A: It takes approximately 120 days for the plant to mature and produce edible stalks.
- Q: Can I grow celery indoors?
- A: Yes, you can grow celery indoors in a container with well-draining soil and sufficient sunlight.
- Q: How do I harvest celery?
- A: Harvest the stalks when they are about 8-10 inches long by cutting them at the base of the plant.
- Q: Is Golden Self-Blanching celery resistant to pests and diseases?
- A: No, this variety of celery is susceptible to several pests and diseases, including aphids, leaf spot, celery fly, and root rot.
Related Plants
- Apium Graveolens Var. Rapaceum (Celeriac)
- Apium Graveolens Var. Secalinum (Cutting Celery)
- Apium Graveolens Var. Dulce (Pascal Celery)
References
- “Apium Graveolens var. dulce Golden Self-Blanching.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a808.
- “Celery.” University of Illinois Extension, extension.illinois.edu/veggies/celery.cfm.
- “Golden Self-Blanching Celery.” Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, www.rareseeds.com/golden-self-blanching-celery/.
