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Endive Roots - Cichorium intybus

Cichorium intybus
Chicory, Common chicory, Blue sailors, Succory, Coffeeweed

4,4/5
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Received roots quickly, however, half of them are small, none of them are the same length or size, some of them are even half broken. No leaf growth for recovery, I have doubts about their survival. It's difficult to arrange them in the same container to force them in soil or water. Very disappointed with these, it seems like they weren't sorted for packaging. Claude.

Claude , 09/03/2024

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More information

The endive, or 'Witloof' chicory or chicon, is a winter vegetable to be consumed raw or cooked. The roots are forced in darkness, either in trenches in the vegetable garden or boxes of soil, in a cool and dark place. The harvest takes place from January to March.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
50 cm
Spread at maturity
10 cm
Exposure
Shade
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Best planting time November to December
Recommended planting time November to December
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Harvest time January to March
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Description

The chicory, known as 'Witloof' or Belgian endive, is a winter vegetable to be consumed raw or cooked. The roots are forced to grow in darkness, either in trenches in the vegetable garden or crates of soil, in a cool and dark place. Harvest takes place from January to March.

The chicory develops, as a result of forcing, on a wild chicory root. Forcing involves cultivating the roots in darkness in order to blanch the leaves by depriving them of light. The roots are protected from light either in the vegetable garden by placing them in a trench or crates of soil placed in a dark room.

The chicory contains 95% water and is a light and easily digestible winter vegetable. It can be consumed raw in salads or cooked, in gratins, juices, braised, or accompanied by a béchamel sauce.

Harvesting: chicory is harvested from January to March, as needed. Remove the protection and break off the chicory by hand at the neck. Immediately cover them with opaque paper to prevent them from turning green, which makes them bitter. Leave the roots in the ground to hope for a harvest of smaller chicory heads a few weeks later.

Storage: chicory should not be exposed to light after harvesting, it should be protected from it. Leave them in the ground if you don't need them immediately.

The gardener's tip: for forcing in crates, tilt the crate on its side to fill it; this will optimise the adhesion between the soil and the roots. Alternate layers of soil/sand and the roots placed flat, then straighten the crate.

Harvest

Harvest time January to March
Type of vegetable Root vegetable
Vegetable colour white
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour
Flavour bitter
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 10 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Product reference30032

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Planting and care

Forcing endives can be done in trenches in the vegetable garden or in a cool, dark place. The darkness must be total. The leaves will have been cut 1 or 2 cm (0 or 1in) above the collar. The roots should be the same height; trim the ends of the roots if necessary.

In the vegetable garden, dig trenches 30 cm (12in) deep and 1 meter (3 feet) wide. Place the endive roots vertically, tightly packed together. Cover them with a mixture of sand and fine soil. Water generously so that the soil penetrates between the roots. Add 20 cm (8in) of soil and 10 cm (4in) of straw or leaves for insulation. Finish by placing a waterproof cover (metal sheet, black plastic, frame...).

In crates, line the bottom with a mixture of potting soil and sand. Install the roots vertically and tightly packed together. Cover them with potting soil and sand up to the collar. Water generously so that this mixture penetrates between the roots. Close the crate (with a garbage bag, for example) to ensure total darkness. Water regularly. The crates will be placed in a room protected from light (cellar, pantry...). The temperature should be between 10 and 20°C (50 and 68°F) and will affect the duration of the forcing. The higher the temperature, the faster the forcing (allow three weeks at 20°C (68°F)).

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Cultivation

Best planting time November to December
Recommended planting time November to December

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Good

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil light
Exposure Shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
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