Your comments and tips

23 Aug 17, Mario Skapin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I bought the seeds from "ITALIAN GARDENER" they are situated in Adelaide, find it on google by the name, they are very obliging and helpful, and they have a mobile number on site that you can call. I bought Radicchio,Salad mix, Cicoria Zucherina di Trieste, witlof and other seeds from them. i am starting to do the final stage with witlof now hope it works. Cheers Mario

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15 Aug 17, Mario Skapin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

i planted about 40 seeds of witlof in the beginning of April and the leaves are between 400 and 600 mm high i understand that it should be around 5 months before forcing is done, i don't fully understand the term forcing or blanching what does it mean can someone please explain this to me and also what is the simplest way to do this final stage of witlof growth cycle. can it be done in the garden where they grow? my understanding is that the the complete witlof be taken from the ground and the leave cut off about 50mm from the root and the root to be cut to about 250mm and then replanted within 30mm of each other and covered to exclude daylight for about 12 weeks. does it need watering or fertilising while this last process takes place please help as i would almost cry if all this work to date is wasted Thank you Mario

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17 Feb 18, Byndy (Australia - temperate climate)

This is THE most exhaustive how to website for knowing how to force witlofs that I have EVER seen... well done to this guy! https://sjefgardentips.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/24-growing-chicory-endive-belgian-endive-french-endive-witlof-witloof/

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16 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Another gourmet delight born of a quirk of history is forced chicory. Like rhubarb, chicory can be ‘forced’ by removing mature roots to a warm, dark place in order to coax them into rapid and early growth. Why? Because what follows is a more tender, sweeter and altogether sumptuous experience than would otherwise be had. It’s a dark art, but a magnificent one!

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21 Aug 17, Mario Skapin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Thank you Mike will do a little more by reading different sites to get a broader look at it. Do you grow witlof yourself. i have eaten it and is truly delicious so i want to make sure it is all good. Thank you again

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16 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Go to a website called growveg.com.au - tells about forcing chicory. Go to different websites and read about it and blanching. Sounds like you are on the right track with it. I wouldn't fertilise it and light watering maybe. Google it and read up. Good luck.

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05 Feb 17, (Australia - temperate climate)

Would love to grow witlof /chicory where can I buy the seeds, I live in PE, thanks

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06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Eden Seeds have chicory seed. I'm not sure whether they are in far northern NSW or SEQld but you will find them on the internet.

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18 Jan 17, Te Pi' (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi, I had red lettuce seeds now it appears I actually have some type of dark-red leaved chicory, its very bitter as a lettuce lol, would anyone be able to give me an idea of what variety this might be? Can Chicory and lettuce cross breed at all? Does anyone want some seeds to try out if they germinate etc after harvest?

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20 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

It appears your 'red lettuce' is aactually Radicchio which has a hot peppery taste. It is generally loved by Italians and there are many recipes on the internet for its use. If it is grown fast with less light it is likely to be les bitter. Sorry I can't help you more. Trust this helps.

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