The most likely pests are the Celery Fly (Philophylla heraclei), the inevitable slugs and the fungus Celery Leaf Spot (Septoria apii-graveolens). Details of how to recognise and treat these pest and diseases are given below.

Celery Fly
Any damage caused by the maggots of these flies will be noticed mainly in April and May. The first signs are white, almost transparent areas on the leaves. As the attack progresses, the white marks will turn brown and the leaves will become distorted and start to shrivel.

Chemical sprays are available which work locally if applied in time. The flies can be discouraged by ensuring that taller plants surround the celeriac. The best solution however is to plant the plants in very late May to early June when the flies are unlikely to be a problem. Sometimes a second generation can occur in August but this is not common.

Slugs
Slugs can eat the tips off young plants. See our pages here on how to deal with slugs.

Celery Leaf Spot
Brown marks develop on the leaves, mainly in wet and warm conditions. The marks spread and join together. Remove any infected leaves as soon as possible and burn them. Spray the plants with a fungicide.

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Name: Ewan McDermott
E-mail: ewanmcdermott@btinternet.com
Date posted: August 14, 2010 - 04:48 am
Message: My celariac seems to have made lots of top foliage which is in flower. Will this be ok or should it be cut off. The bulbous part at the base of the plant has not yet swollen like I expected it to.

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