Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Conventional Celery Seedling Cultivation Techniques

Sprouting:

Begin sprouting 7 days before sowing. The seeding rate for celery in a greenhouse is 0.25-0.3 kg per mu. For sprouting, select seeds with a 10% salt solution, remove sclerotia, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Then soak the seeds in 48°C hot water for 30 minutes, taking care to stir constantly and maintain the water temperature. Then place them in cold water to cool for 5-10 minutes, then soak in room-temperature clean water for 24 hours. After removing from the water, rinse several times, gently rubbing with your hands while washing to break open the seed coat, until the seeds feel loose to the touch, then spread them out to dry. When the seed surface is semi-dry, mix in fine moist sand equal to 5 times the seed volume, mix in a clean basin, and cover with plastic film. Place in a cool location, 40 cm above the water surface. That is, sprouting at 18-20°C gives the fastest sprouting and the highest germination rate. Below 15°C sprouting is delayed, and above 30°C there is almost no sprouting. Turn the seeds 2-3 times daily, rubbing them with your hands to let the seeds receive light and air. If the seeds become too dry, add water. It takes 7-8 days for sprouts to emerge.

Preparing Seedbed Soil:

Choose a seedbed on high ground that drains easily. The method for preparing seedbed soil is 60% fertile garden soil, 30% horse manure, 10% chicken manure or dried night soil. Add 500 g of urea per sq m of seedbed, mix well and sift, then spread on the seedbed to a thickness of about 10 cm, level it and it is ready for sowing.

Standards for Strong Celery Seedlings:

The seedling age is generally 45-70 days, plant height 7-10 cm, with 3-5 true leaves, dark green leaf color, relatively many roots, and no pests or diseases.