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Chicory Seeds - Brussels Witloof

Botanical - Cichorium intybus

Notes:

Seed Count:
1000 Seeds
Rating:
Availability:
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Shipping:
99p, FREE over £15.99
SKU:
V-CHC-01
RRP:
 
Price £1.95 £1.07 (You save £0.88)
 
 
Quantity:

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1000 Seeds.

Other Names - Belgian Endive…

This variety can be used as baby leaf in salads over the summer months however where Brussels Witloof really excels is when it is forced and blanched over the winter months to produce flavoursome chicons (or blanched shoots). Simply sow the seeds in the garden, allow the low maintenance leafy crop to grow over the summer months. Dig up the roots in autumn. Plant the roots in a bucket of compost and cover to keep light out, place in a warm location and a few weeks later chicons will have grown. Harvest and repeat the process for even more chicons.

  • One of the best varieties for producing chicons.
  • A convenient and easy way to grow fresh vegetables in the home over the winter months.
  • A delicious and unique flavour.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds, container garden

Sowing Months - May - July

Harvest - August - November for leaves, January - March for chicons


Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

  • The leaves of the Comfrey plant can be used to make a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer ideal for giving chicory a nutrient boost especially if grown in containers.

Soil Preperation

Add some compost or well rotted manure to the soil a few months before sowing or planting. Remove weeds and add some general purpose organic fertilizer to the bed 1 - 2 weeks before sowing or planting.

General InformationSowing & Planting Information
Habit Biennial, grown as an annual Module Grown & Transplants
Type Heritage variety Distance between plants 25 cm
Position Full sun Distance between rows 25 cm
Average height 25 cm Direct Sowing
Average spread 30 cm Sowing distance between plants 25 cm
Hardiness Hardy Distance between rows 25 cm
Overwintering Undercover Sowing depth 1 cm
Soil Ph 6.5 - 7.0 Germination temperature 15 to 20℃
    Days to germination 7 - 14 days

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Early sowings will generate larger sized roots. Sow 2 seeds per 4 cm module. Once germination starts reduce the heat and move to an area with good daylight exposure, a windowsill or greenhouse. When the seedlings are big enough to handle thin to one strong seedling per module. Keep the compost moist but do not overwater.
2 - 3 weeks later (depending on speed of growth) plant out. Harden off over a few days before planting out. Plant at the distance suggested above. Firm the soil around each plant and water well.

Direct Sowing

Sow 2 seeds per station 25 cm apart at the depth and row distance suggested above. Cover the seed with soil and water well. When the seeds are large enough to handle thin to one strong seedling per station.


Growing On

Water well in dry weather. Weed often to remove competing plants. The roots are ready to be dug up in November, by this time the chicory plant may have produced a small tasty heart or a cluster of semi hearted leaves that can be eaten. Cut all of the leaves with a sharp knife just above soil level. Carefully dig up the roots with a fork or spade taking care to remove all of the smaller branching roots. Any roots left in the ground in November will sprout up the following year which can be a nuisance.
Cut the roots to about 15 - 20 cm in length and discard any roots thinner than your thumb. The roots can be stored horizontally in boxes surrounded and fully covered by dry sand until required for forcing. Chicory roots can be forced to grow chicons between November and March.
To grow chicons fill a container 20 - 25 cm in diameter with moist firm good quality organic compost. Sink 3 - 4 lengths of chicory root vertically into the damp compost. Ensure the roots are evenly spaced and leave 2 - 3 cm of the roots exposed. Cover the pot with a slightly larger container. If another pot is used block up the drainage holes to prevent any light getting in. Soon after, small buds will start to form around the top of each exposed root. If all of the buds are left to mature the chicons will be numerous but small in size.
For larger sized chicons simply remove some of the buds. If fast growth is required place the covered container in a warm location, a warm airing cupboard is ideal or even a cupboard at room temperature will suffice. In warm temperatures the chicons will be ready to harvest in 2 - 4 weeks. If slower growth is required place in a frost free garage or cellar (around 10 - 13 degrees celsius). In cooler temperatures the chicons will be ready to harvest in 8 - 10 weeks. Check regularly to ensure the compost is still moist. Do not overwater.


Harvesting

Harvest the chicons when around 15 cm tall. Cut with a sharp knife just above crown level (where the root starts). When harvesting is completed water the compost and re cover. Place the container back in its growing location, and a second crop of smaller chicons will be ready to harvest again in a few weeks. It is possible to get several harvests from each root with the final harvest being around mid to late April.
Chicons do not store well, they may keep in the fridge for a few days however they are at their best when eaten soon after harvesting.

TIP

To help prevent rotting when conditions get damp, avoid growing plants too close to each other and ensure the area is well ventilated. Remove any rotting leaves.

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(Including Northern Ireland, the Highlands & Islands, Scilly Isles, Channel Isles and the Isle of Man). Delivery charges to these areas are the same as UK mainland stated below (with no additional surcharge). Delivery however may take longer than the times stated due to weather, distance etc.)


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For full details, including how to contact us, please visit our Returns & Refunds page.


Faulty Goods.

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