Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've got about 5 bunches of Celery in my system it has been in since Novermber (2-3 months) - I have had cardboard round the stems to blanch them, though I've found the stems to be:

1. pretty thin
2. a bit woody in places
3. sometimes quite bitter

Is the Perth summer the wrong time for celery, or am I missing a trick. I think my system may have been over planted over the last few months - does celery need high nutrient levels to grow wide, juicy stems?

I'm contemplating pulling some of it it just to reduce the nutrient loading as its a waste growing plants that I wont eat. system has been run flood and drain.

Thanks
Matt

You planted them at the right time so that's not it. Maybe the variety

just tried a bit from the biggest plant - still woody and bitter. heres a pic:

I havnt seen the cardboard thing before. Try removing one and see if it makes a difference. You may have to cut it right back though.

Don't think it will - I put it there due to the problem in the first place.

Will try it though as I'll rip them out if I can't find a solution anyhow.

Are they a "stringless" variety...

The last batch I planted were "stringless"... and have been slow growing, thin stemmed and "woody"...

I've ripped them out and gone back to a standard variety....

could be the problem Rupe - don't know what type they are, though will look out for a standard type from now on.

I think its time for the chopping block and wormfarm!

I have grown stringless and they grew really well for me. The celery was large and succulent with a hint of salt. They were the best celery I have eaten. I had 2 batches, one planted in about June and the other in February. Both grew well.
never bothered with the blanching thing but it seems like a good idea if only to stop them taking up soooo much room.

I think it is too late for me to blanch mine... The top has stopped growing, and I have a number of side groups growing now.

I think I read it here, so I'm trying it. Storebought celery used up and only having 2-3 short inner stalks remaining, trimmed bottom and shoved into GB...seems to be not dying so far, not exactly growing, just not dying?!

im sure the celery will grow, but as it is near maturity it is likley to go to seed. also if it is not growing fast the stalks will tend to be tough. In my view it is worth planting seedlings to get the best results.

i have taken the side shoots off my plants and planted them thinking that i could start new ones but they went to seed at the same time as the parents.

I never had any luck with celery, it was always hollow, and the stalks quite small.

the chooks liked it though

I had no luck either

Celery does great in my grow beds. After we cut off all the parts we want and are left with just the little bottom piece we plant that. And all of them have grown and are still growing. We just cut off what we want. We did plant some seeds and they are doing good also, but we have had just as good luck with the bottoms from store bought stuff.

Celery has always been a winner for us.