Conquistador – Celery Seed

Conquistador is an early celery that produces full, upright heads packed with crisp, flavorful stalks. Performs well under heat and moisture stress and in soils of average fertility. Avg. 9,800 seeds/oz. Packet: 250 seeds.

CULTURE: Celery requires a fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0–7.0. Do not let the soil dry out, indoors or out. This crop needs a consistent supply of moisture throughout the season for optimum flavor and yield.
PELLETED SEED: If usingseed: for best results, we recommend consistent soil moisture during the germination period. Pellets are made of inert NOP-compliant materials. Our celery and celeriac pellets are both size 8. seed must be kept cool and dry prior to planting, and should be used within one year of purchase.
GROWING SEEDLINGS: Sow in early March or 10–12 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Sow 6 seeds per inch, ⅛” deep, in 20-row, open flats, or plug trays. Keep soil moist and temperatures 70–75°F (21–24°C) if possible. Seedlings emerge in 2–3 weeks and then temperature can be reduced to 60–70°F (16–21°C).
TRANSPLANTING: When seedlings have 2 true leaves, transplant to 72-cell plug trays. Transplant outdoors in late May to mid-June when weather is warm and settled. Set plants 6–8″ apart in rows 24–36″ apart. Irrigate to keep soil moist.
BOLTING: Caused by exposure of young plants to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) for 10 days or more. When hardening plants before transplanting out, reduce water for 7–10 days. Do not harden off celery plants by lowering temperatures!
DISEASES AND PESTS: For leaf blights, rotate crops. Ensure adequate soil calcium and water to prevent blackheart. For Celery Mosaic (mottled leaves, twisted stems, dwarfing), control aphids.
HARVEST: Cut stalks when they are of edible size. Stalks may be blanched if desired by hilling up with soil or by placing paper collars around plants.
STORAGE: After harvest remove field heat by dunking plants in cold water. Store sound heads/roots at 32°F (0°C) with 98–100% relative humidity. Celery will store for 1–2 months. CAUTION: In rare instances contact with the foliage can result in a severe rash. When working with this crop on hot, sunny days, we recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants and washing any exposed skin surfaces as soon as possible after contact.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/OZ: See individual varieties.
PACKET: 250 seeds.