celery disease identification

13 years ago

I planted celery for the first time this year in the garden I started at the local elementary school. It started well from seed in a small, raised bed filled with soil composed of compost (40 percent), vermiculite (30 percent), and peat (30 percent). The bed was well watered daily.

Some of the plants began to show an ususual curling of the leaves at about 8 inches high. These plants were increasingly stunted. There was initially no discoloration of the leaves but after several weeks they began to yellow. The stalks themselves seemed unaffected except by slow growth. Adjacent plants were at first unaffected, but the malady slowly spread through the bed. At this point, mid September, about 80 percent of the plants are affected. Those first affected virtually have stopped growing but have not died. There is no evidence of rot or spots on leaves.

Any idea what the disease agent might be? Thanks in advance for your help.

All best,

Jeff

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Comments (6)

oilpainter
13 years ago
Have you looked at the roots, it may not show rot on top yet but the roots may be rotting away. I know celery needs lots of water but I think daily watering is too much.

You have some kind of fungal disease if it's spreading throughout the bed. My best guess is that it's root rot. Whenever you have something like this it's best to pull the first ones to save the rest. If it's root rot there is no cure
jean001
13 years ago
Any chance of posting images?
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jserena
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks very much all. I pulled most of the diseased plants, but I'll try to get a photo to post.

No indication of rot in the roots. The roots look, smell, and taste fine. The soil in the bed drains very well.

I can't find anything on the Internet that looks even remotely like this disease. The curled leaves are very distinctive and the only obvious symptom other than the stunting of the plants.

Thanks again,

Jeff
namfon
13 years ago
This is the first time you have planted Celery or the first time at the Elementary School location ? Do you know if any weed killer was used near the plants at the school ?

Pictures would be interesting as I am not familiar with many pests or diseases in Celery. If you can, take a sample plant to your local county extension service and have them diagnose it for you ( and for the rest of us :-)

Good Luck
Nam
jserena
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Nam,

It's the first time I've grown celery anywhere. No herbicides at all--the school district forbids the use of herbicides and pesticides on school grounds. When I put the school garden in last year, I was even warned not to use chemical fertilizers, such as Miracle-Gro(R).

I got some photos but have misplaced the cable to load them on the computer. Ack. As soon as I find it I'll post photos.

Best,

Jeff
bejay9_10
13 years ago
This may not be helpful, but will offer it for what it is worth.

I use peat moss and compost mixture, mainly for starting my seedlings. It worked well up until recently. I was storing the peat moss in a covered garbage-type container, with a tight cover outside.

I noticed some yellowish material on the peat, but thought nothing of it. When later my seedlings - started inside under lights - began to show mold growth, I attributed it to the yellowish material in the peat. For my next batch of seedlings, I dried the peat thoroughly in the hot sun before adding it to my compost, that seemed to cure the mold fungus problem.

I would use a bit less peat in my outside planters. If it dries out, it is difficult to re-hydrate. As celery likes lots of water, it may be that the peat is not absorbing the water or holding it - masking the soils water-retention ability.

Just my 2 c's.

Bejay