Chicory ( Radichio) Palla Rossa
Cichorium intybus L.
Known both as Chicory and Radicchio Palla Rossa, this cabbage-like vegetable is a great choice to grow later in the season. It produces beautiful round heads of red/maroon and white leaves. It is mild tasting, and will add a crunch to any salad.
Heirloom and Non-GMO Palla Rosa Radicchio is ready in 80-85 days in the garden. Radicchio is growing in popularity, and is known for its red leaves with white veins. Palla Rosa has one of the best color contrasts of all the Radicchios as it grows to 4 inchs in diameter. Radicchio has a bitter, spicy, tangy taste that gets sweeter when cooked.
A beautiful heirloom chicory from Northern Italy. More uniform than most other open-pollinated types, and easier to grow from spring plantings than the others. Mid-early with a large, compact head.
For fall/winter eating, plant in summer (July/August) and plan on harvesting a 3-4" head in November or so. Depending on conditions, the head can be loose or tight. Give it about 12" between plants. Like other greens, the flavor is milder after frost, and also can be made milder by soaking in cold water.
Details:
Plant life cycle : perennial
Site: Full sun
Days to maturity: 90 days
Type: Chioggia, round head
Sow : 1/8 " deep
Plant spacing : 12-16"
Raw spacing: 16"
Approx seeds per packet : 100
How to Grow:
Sow the seeds evenly in a prepared shallow drill. When the seedlings establish, thin them to leave the strongest plant every 12-16 " appart.
Radicchio is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. It is a cool weather crop and grows best at temperatures of 60-65°F (15.5-18.3°C). Careful variety selection is important for hot weather plantings. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh radicchio.
THERMAL DORMANCY: Radicchio seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures above 77°F (25°C). Optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 60-68°F (15.5-20°C).
TRANSPLANTING: Sow in flats, 4 seeds/in., or in 3/4" plug trays, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Shade the flats on sunny, warm days if necessary to keep the soil surface cool, below 75°F (24°C), until germination. If sowing into flats, transplant 1-2" apart into flats, pots, or cell-type containers about 2 weeks later. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C). Transplant 8" apart in rows 18" apart. Transplant shallowly so that the base of the plant will be slightly above the soil to discourage bottom rot.
DIRECT SEEDING: Seeds will germinate from 41-85°F (5-29°C), but the highest germination percentage will occur around 75°F (24°C), depending on the variety and seed lot. Sow seeds 1" apart, rows 12-18" apart. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8", and firm soil gently. Thin to 8" apart; thinnings may be transplanted. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for uniform germination.
NOTE: Radicchio grows best in cool or mild weather, i.e. fall, winter, and spring. Summer crops can be successful if nights are cool (below 60°F/16°C).
Harvest:
DAYS TO MATURITY:From date of cool-weather, spring transplanting. Subtract 10-14 days for late spring or early summer, warm-weather transplanting. Add about 14 days for direct seeding.