Can celery be grown hydroponically?

Did you know that the bottom stem of the celery we buy from the supermarket is not waste, but a "source of life" that can grow again. With just a little water, a container, some patience and simple maintenance, you can easily grow a pot of lush celery at home. This method is both environmentally friendly and interesting, and it is also an opportunity to observe the miracle of plant growth. So, can celery be grown hydroponically? What details should be paid attention to during the hydroponic process? This article will introduce it in detail.

 

 

1. Keep the roots of celery

When you handle celery next time, don't throw away the root section. Cut off the stem about 2-3 cm from the root. This is the "seed" for hydroponics. Put it in a small cup or container and pour 2-3 cm deep clean water, just enough to cover the bottom.
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2. Choose a suitable location

Celery likes a warm and humid environment. Place the container in a bright but not direct sunlight place, such as a windowsill or a well-ventilated indoor table. Be careful not to put it in a too humid or hot place to prevent bacteria from growing.

 

3. Change the water regularly

Celery roots are most likely to rot when soaked in water. Therefore, you must change the water every 2-3 days to keep the water clean. In winter, replace it with room temperature water, and avoid using cold water or ice water to avoid damaging the plant.

 

 

Week 1: Rooting and sprouting begin In the first week of hydroponics, you will notice that the roots of celery begin to grow small white roots, and tender green new shoots will emerge in the center of the top stems and leaves. This is the initial manifestation of celery's "rebirth". But it should be noted that you must not let the young leaves in the center accumulate water, otherwise it may cause rot.

 

Week 2: The root system gradually grows stronger In the second week, the roots have begun to become longer and thicker, and the small shoots have also grown significantly taller. At this time, you need to ensure that there is enough water, but do not let the water completely cover the stems to prevent the plants from being "suffocated".

 

Week 4: Small potted plants are formed After about a month, you will find that the root system of celery has reached about 5 cm, and the top buds have formed some small leaves, just like a pot of mini celery. At this time, you can choose to continue hydroponics or transplant it into the soil for more comprehensive planting.

 

 

Although celery can grow in water, this method is not perfect, and we need to weigh the pros and cons:

 

 

If you want celery to grow bigger and faster, you can choose to transplant it to soil after it grows to a certain stage in hydroponics. Here are the specific steps:

 

Prepare the planting environment Find a flower pot with good drainage function and fill it with loose and breathable soil. Pour some water to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

 

Transplant celery Gently place the roots of hydroponic celery into the soil. Be careful not to bury the stems completely in the soil. Just cover the roots to prevent the stems from rotting.

 

Adaptation process After transplanting, first place the celery in a cool place for 5 days to let it adapt to the new environment, then gradually increase the light intensity, and finally move it to a well-lit place.

 

Subsequent maintenance Celery likes moist soil, but is not resistant to waterlogging. When watering, just keep the soil moist to avoid excessive water soaking the roots and affecting growth.

 

 

Hydroponic vegetables have become popular in recent years, especially in indoor growing environments. Hydroponic celery has the following outstanding advantages:

 

Fast growth cycle: Compared with soil cultivation, the root system of hydroponic celery grows faster, which is suitable for beginners to try.

 

Green and environmentally friendly: Using the bottom of the discarded celery in the kitchen to grow again not only reduces waste, but also obtains fresh green vegetables.

 

Suitable for small spaces: Even if you live in a small apartment without a garden, you can grow celery hydroponically and enjoy the fun of growing.

 

 

Add nutrient solution
If you plan to grow celery hydroponically for a long time, you need to add additional plant nutrient solution to the water. There are fertilizers designed specifically for hydroponics on the market that can meet the growth needs of celery.

 

Control the humidity of the environment
Celery likes a humid environment, but too high humidity may cause mold to grow. You can use a small fan to improve air circulation and avoid diseases.

 

Proper Pruning
As the celery grows, you can properly prune the old leaves to promote the growth of new leaves faster while keeping the plant healthy.

 

Increase light
Although natural light is enough to meet the basic needs of celery, if the indoor light is insufficient, you can use a plant growth lamp to provide additional light for celery, especially in winter.

 

 

The answer is yes! Celery is a very suitable plant for hydroponics. Not only is it easy to operate, but it also has high ornamental value. It is a very suitable hydroponics project for beginners to try.

 

Of course, if you want the celery to grow faster and more luxuriantly, you can transplant it into the soil after the hydroponics has completed rooting. Whether as an interesting experiment or a real source of vegetables, hydroponic celery is worth a try. Why not start today and try to embellish your life with hydroponic celery at home!