Traditional celery cultivation typically takes place from September to December, with harvesting occurring between December and April. In contrast, anti-season celery is planted in May to June and harvested in August to September. During the high-temperature and heavy-rain season, growing celery becomes challenging due to the heat and humidity. Overcoming these obstacles and creating an optimal environment for growth is crucial for achieving high yields, quality, and efficiency.
The first step in summer celery cultivation involves sowing. Most farmers use a direct seeding method, although some also opt for seedling transplanting. Sowing usually occurs in late May to early June, which coincides with the hot and rainy season. It's important to select heat-resistant and waterlogging-tolerant varieties. Before planting, seeds should be soaked and germinated to improve germination rates. Soaking the seeds in warm water at 48°C for half an hour helps eliminate bacteria, and they are then germinated until about 50% of the seeds show a white sprout before being sown. The sowing method can be either broadcasting or strip sowing. Watering should be done before sowing, and after the soil absorbs the water, the seeds are covered with a thin layer of soil (0.5–1 cm). Since celery seeds germinate slowly, shading is essential to protect the seedlings from high temperatures and rain. Common shading materials include straw, straw curtains, and shade nets. Once the seedlings emerge, the cover should be removed to avoid hindering their growth. After sowing, small amounts of water should be applied regularly to keep the surface moist, and drainage should be ensured after heavy rains. Seedlings are typically ready for transplanting after about 40 days, when they have 5–6 leaves.
The second step is planting. Seedlings are transplanted after the previous crop has been harvested. The field should be deeply plowed and mixed with decomposed farmyard manure and compound fertilizer—approximately 3000–5000 kg of manure and 40–50 kg of triple compound fertilizer per mu. The soil should be turned to a depth of 20 cm to ensure even mixing. A few days before transplanting, watering should be stopped, and the soil should be dug up carefully to avoid damaging the roots and leaves. When planting, it's best to do so after 5:00 PM, and root water should be applied immediately after planting to help the seedlings establish themselves.
Third, shading is essential during summer celery cultivation. Shade nets are used to cool and moisturize the plants, promoting better growth, reducing fiber content, and improving overall quality. After planting, a shade net is placed over the field to form a shed or flat structure, with a height of 2–2.5 meters. The shed should be oriented north-south. During the day, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, shading is most effective. Shading throughout the growing season helps reduce light intensity, lower both air and soil temperatures, and improve the microclimate for celery growth. It also enhances photosynthesis, reduces evaporation, prevents drought, and minimizes damage from heavy rain and wind. Additionally, it helps control pests such as cabbage caterpillars, diamondback moths, and Spodoptera litura by preventing them from laying eggs on the plants, thus reducing the need for pesticides.
Fourth, field management includes weeding and fertilizing. Due to the slow growth of celery in its early stages and the presence of weeds during the hot and rainy season, regular weeding is necessary. Weeding and soil loosening are usually done together with each topdressing. Since celery roots are shallow, the soil should not be tilled too deeply to avoid root damage. Summer celery has a short growth cycle, so nitrogen-based fertilizers are critical for stem and leaf development. Fertilization should follow the principle of "applying sufficient base fertilizer and applying diluted fertilizer frequently." After the base fertilizer is applied, the first topdressing with urea (10 kg per mu) should be done 5–7 days after emergence. Subsequent topdressing should be applied every 8–10 days, using 10–12 kg of urea per mu, typically four times in total. As the plants grow, the amount of fertilizer should gradually increase. Spraying 2–3 applications of boron fertilizer or superphosphate leaching solution during the growing season can prevent petiole cracking and rotten heart, while spraying 500 times diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate during the mid to late stages can enhance disease resistance and improve yield and quality.
Fifth, pest and disease control is crucial. Common diseases include downy mildew, blight, soft rot, leaf spot, and anthracnose, while common pests include aphids, thrips, mites, and spotted flies. To prevent blight during the seedling stage, the seedbed soil should be disinfected, and solutions like 75% chlorothalonil (800 times dilution) or 70% carbendazim (800 times dilution) can be used. For soft rot, 72% agricultural streptomycin WP or neomycin oxytetracycline (3000–4000 times dilution) is recommended. For leaf spot and anthracnose, 78% chlorothalonil (700 times dilution) or 77% can kill powder (500 times dilution) can be sprayed. For anthracnose, 70% carbendazim (600 times dilution) or 80% anthrax fumei powder (800 times dilution) is effective. Aphids, thrips, and mites can be controlled with 10% imidacloprid (2000 times dilution). For larvae control, 20% plague net (1000–2000 times dilution) or 48% lesbian emulsifiable oil (800–1000 times dilution) can be used before adult emergence, while 5% taibao (2000 times dilution) can inhibit adults during their emergence period.
Finally, harvesting should be done promptly based on plant growth and market demand. Since summer celery grows rapidly under high temperatures, it is typically harvested earlier than autumn celery. Harvesting is ideal when the stem height reaches 40–60 cm, with good quality, high yield, and vibrant green stems and leaves. Care should be taken during harvest to avoid breaking the plant and maintain its integrity.
Source: Zhangpu County Agricultural Bureau, Fujian Province.
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