Chicory Red Ark

  • Product Code: High-yielding
  • Availability: 100
  • $1.29



The red aromatic chicory from Verona is one of the most sought after by Radicchios. In addition to stunning color, forms a nice, beautifully elongated dense head. It is an elegant plant with fleshy red leaves that contrast strongly with its broad white ribs. The heads and leaves are delicious in salads, and the ribs are used as a base for risotto and soup. Small plants are often simply grilled or stewed. The roots are used as traditional root chicory. Grows best in the autumn-winter season. The average ripening season is about 90 days. 1 g. approx. 350 fresh seeds *************************************************************************************************************************************** INSTRUCTIONS.Sowing: Sow indoors from March or sow direct after frosts have passed. Seeds germinate best in soils around 16 to 18°C (60 to 65°F) Germination in 7 to 14 days. Keep evenly moist for the tenderest leaves. Leaves that are stressed due to water shortage will turn bitter and taste terrible. It will withstand light frosts. Sowing Indoors: Sow into open flats or in cell packs 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds in a moist growing mix and thin to 1 plant every 5cm (2in) once seedlings have sprouted the first set of true leaves. Transplant seedlings outdoors when they are 10cm (4in) tall. Make sure the soil is moist and the seedlings do not dry out. Water well until they are firmly established. Sowing Direct: Sow into prepared beds as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Successive seedings ensure a continual harvest. Sow seeds every two weeks through to autumn. Sow 1 to 2 seeds every 10cm (4in). Sow 7mm (¼in) deep in rows 20cm (8in) apart. Once they are established, thin plants to 20cm (8in) in each direction. Forcing: Seed sown early in the early summer should have produced good size plants by early autumn. Dig these up and transfer, planting into large containers. Use a good compost and sand. Trim the top of the plant off leaving a stub of plant about 3cm (1in) above ground level. These should be covered with a bucket or something of similar size. A large plant pot is good but ensure the drainage holes are well covered to stop any light from getting in. Light will cause the leaves to be bitter-tasting. Located in a dark place at temperatures of around 10 to 15°C (50 to 60°F), a garage is ideal and in 3 to 6 weeks the plants should be about 20cm (8in) tall. At this time they can be harvested. The shoots will continue to grow back as you pick throughout winter so you'll have a continuous supply of crisp leaves. The leaves may get smaller after the first harvest.

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