Crop type: Celeriac
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum ‘Giant Prague’
Common name: Celeriac ‘Giant Prague’
Crop slug: celeriac
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Giant Prague’ is a vigorous heirloom celeriac introduced in 1871. It produces a broad swollen edible stem with relatively smooth skin and a characteristically slightly flattened base beneath upright green foliage. The mature crop stores well, giving this long-established variety continued value for winter use.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Plants reach harvestable size within one annual cycle.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, loam and sand
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral or alkaline
Fertile, moisture-retentive soil helps the vigorous plant form a substantial stem without checks in growth.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H4 — hardy through an average UK winter
A warm sheltered position is particularly valuable while young plants establish.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
No seasonal colour values are assigned. The distinguishing harvest-stage form is a pale, relatively smooth and broad swollen stem with a flattened underside, topped by columnar green leaves.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar and upright
- Name status
- Accepted
- Potentially harmful
- Plant sap may harm skin in sunlight; wear gloves and protective clothing when handling
Genus
Apium contains annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants with divided or pinnate leaves and tiny white flowers arranged in summer umbels.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter before planting. Sow indoors in March and transplant outside in May once the weather is mild, keeping the crown level with the soil.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, started indoors to provide the required long growing season.
Pruning
No pruning is required, although collapsed outer foliage may be removed as the stem swells.
Pests
Plants may be susceptible to carrot fly and celery leaf-mining fly.
Diseases
Plants may be susceptible to celery leaf spot.