red chicory?

[organicartist]

I have not grown chicory before, but love the red chicory (radiccio?) in bags of salad and would love to grow some, any reccomendations for varieties, suppliers etc? Many thanks

[organicartist]

[terrace max]

More red chicories here than you could shake a Batavian lettuce at:

http://www.seedsofitaly.sagenet.co.uk/radicchio1.htm

[organicartist]

thanks, will give them a try. Am quite tempted by their truffle trees too, ever tried those?

[terrace max]

Not me. But there is a truffle expert round here somewhere called ...Truffle! Maybe start a new thread..?

[Mrs Ava]

I have red chicory from seeds of italy and they are great.  Very peppery, slightly fuzzy leaves but they grow big and firm and are delicious! The slugs seems to leave them alone, and they seem to withstand the worst of the weather.  Out of 40 or so plants, 2 have bolted!

[terrace max]

Many of mine kind of rot down during the wet winter, but spring to life again in early spring - just when you want a decent salad again...

Are you doing witloof this year EJ? For some reason (dry weather) mine are only the size of big dandelions this time around...

[Truffle]

Hi organicartist,

If you wanna know about truffle cultivation then I'm your man!

The seeds-of-Italy truffle trees make great presents and are an interesting addition to your garden, but if you really want to produce truffles your best off going with some of the tree produceres with better technology. Also, the truffles need high pH soil (over 6.9, ideally 7.9) and can take around 5 years to produce!

Truffle

[Mrs Ava]

I sowed a lovely row of chicory Terrance....and not one germinated!!!!  I plan to buy some fresh seed this autumn for a good strong healthy sowing next spring.  Shame.....they were devine last winter!  :-\

[terrace max]

Oh well - if we need roots to force there's always dandelions  :-\

[Sarah-b]

And don't for get, you can force the roots of some red chicories too - and get pink chicons.
Anyway - I'm going to try it this winter...

Sb

[Bambi.1]

I love Chicory with a seafood salad.....yummy! and would like to have a go growing it,when is the best time to start  ??? and is there a preferable variety,l don't mind what colour it is..............just seeds that l can't kill off LOL!

[terrace max]

Now is a great time Bambi! And even I struggle to kill off chicory....