Italian Chicory - Radicchio Rossa Di Verona [Cichorium intybus var. foliosum]

The biennial radicchio 'Rossa di Verona' is an old traditional leaf vegetable for overwintering. The taste of the high-yielding rosette-forming variety is sharp and slightly bitter, which diminishes when heated. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the leaves for salad.

 Description 
The radicchio 'Rossa di Verona' is an old biennial traditional leaf vegetable from the city of the same name, Verona, in northern Italy. The leaf vegetable was mainly cultivated until 1985, when newer varieties were bred to withstand colder temperatures. Radicchio grows upright in rosettes and has deep red and heart-shaped leaves that twist around each other to form a tight, round to high oval head. The taste is sharp and slightly bitter, which decreases when heated. Small rosettes can be harvested early. Radicchio is only partially hardy; the rosette-forming variety can stay in the bed over the winter and sprout again in the spring, making it one of the first fresh leaf vegetables in the garden. A variety for winter cultivation in the subtropical climate zone and in the temperate climate zone with winter protection.

 General information 
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -4°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-25 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Fennel, Carrot, Tomato, Borage, Dill, Bean, Cucumber, Cabbage, Chives, Onion
Unfavorable mixed culture: Endive, Potato

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation is recommended from March to May or in autumn from August to October. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Does not tolerate cold temperatures below 15°C during germination. We always recommend pre-cultivation with radicchio. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible lettuce leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at warm temperatures above 20°C until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Radicchio 'Rossa di Verona' prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moist and humus-rich sandy loam soil. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
The typical red coloring of the leaves only occurs when exposed to cold. For a staggered harvest, several sowings at intervals of 4 weeks are recommended. For a long harvest period, harvest 1/4 of the leaves from the outside in and take care not to damage the heart in order to keep growth stable. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
We recommend winter protection at temperatures below -3°C. Loose, nutrient-rich soil and planting in mixed culture is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
English names: Italian chicory, Radicchio
German names: Radicchio, Zichorie
Portuguese names: Chicória
Spanish names: Achicoria, Chicoria
French names: Chicorée

 Origin 
Country: Portugal