If celery is intended for immediate sale, the leaves can be left intact. However, if it is meant for storage or processing, the leaves are cut off. The yield of celery root can range from 30 to 50 t/ha.
Harvesting Celery Root
Celery root can be harvested using specialized machinery, such as the one shown in the image, if the harvest includes leaves. Alternatively, beet or potato harvesting machines can be used, with the leaves being cut off beforehand.
Harvesting Stalk Celery
Stalk celery is harvested at physiological maturity when the outer petioles are firm and crisp. It is harvested manually by cutting at the root neck zone, removing the first layer of outer leaves, and trimming the upper leaves so that the petioles are about 40 cm long. Harvesting should not be delayed, as the petioles can become spongy and unusable. A technologically ripe and cleaned petiole weighs 50 – 70 g, with a yield of 30 – 50 t/ha.
Harvesting Leaf Celery
Leaf celery is first harvested in the second half of July. Under favorable conditions, three cuts can be achieved, yielding 50 – 80 t/ha of leaves. After each cut, the plants are fertilized with 40 – 50 kg/ha of nitrogen.
Storing Celery
Celery root can be stored in controlled cold storage conditions (temperature 0°C, relative humidity 97%) for up to 8 months. For shorter storage periods, it can be stored in:
- Trenches – Above-ground trenches are about 1.5 m wide and 1 m high, with horizontal and vertical ventilation. A thin layer of soil is placed on the celery, covered with an insulating material, and then soil is placed over the insulator. The storage period in trenches is about 6 months.
- Cellars – At a temperature of 2 – 5°C and relative air humidity of 90%, celery can be stored for 2 – 3 months.
Storing Stalk Celery
Stalk celery can be stored for 4 – 8 weeks at a temperature of 0 – 1°C and a relative humidity of 98%. At a temperature of 5°C (in a refrigerator), stalk celery can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
