I am fond of celeriac and I have grown some celeriac plants specifically so that I could get some seed, as it is hard to get hold of where I live. The plants have now set seed and it has gone brown.

The next step is harvesting the seed, storing it and planting it.

I would appreciate any tips.

I’ve never done it for celeriac, but perhaps pop a brown paper bag over the flower head to catch the seeds. Or just cut off the heads if the seed is starting to drop and put the whole head into a bag. After the seeds have fallen off (in the bag) pick out the stick bits.

I usually just stuff the things into bags once the seeds look pretty ripe and let them dry out and drop in there.

This looks like what you are after:

http://www.smartgardener.com/plants/4225-celeriac-celery-root-large-smooth-prague/guide/seed_saving

Thanks buffy. I just checked and I bought the plants as seedlings in Aug 2011. So I guess that they flowered in their second spring, as mentioned. I haven’t got enough plants to ensure genetic variability though, it seems.

morrie said:

Thanks buffy. I just checked and I bought the plants as seedlings in Aug 2011. So I guess that they flowered in their second spring, as mentioned. I haven’t got enough plants to ensure genetic variability though, it seems.

if you are just saving seed for your own purpose then I wouldn’t worry too much about genetic variability.

Yeah. For own use.. cut the heads or allow them to fall if you want to regrow it.. Sprinkle some well rotted compost lightly on it and water it. All the Umbelliferae like to grow this way. The seed falls off the umbels easily if you cut the heads and toss them in a bucket. It isn’t difficult to clean if you want to eat it.