Variety traits

Vegetation Period — Chicory

Cichorium intybus L. (Leaf Chicory Group)

The vegetation period of chicory is measured in days from emergence to harvest and determines the formation of root crops for forcing or the readiness of leaf products. The duration of the cycle depends on the cultivar type and varies from 75 to 125 days.

In the reference 12 varieties crop Chicory, where this is mentioned in the description.

For the Witloof cultivar type, grown for subsequent forcing, the vegetation period of root crops in open fields ranges from 90 to 125 days. Leafy forms, such as Radicchio, reach technical maturity faster — in 75–85 days. The starting point of this period begins from mass emergence and ends with the harvest in the first year of the plant's life.

The duration of vegetation directly affects the mass of the root crop and the accumulation of storage substances, such as inulin and intybin, which is critical for the quality of future chicons. If the period is reduced to less than 100 days, the potential yield of Witloof decreases. In addition, a longer growth period allows the plant to efficiently process nitrates and form a full-fledged leaf rosette.

Climatic stresses, such as extreme temperatures, during vegetation can trigger premature bolting. A transition to the generative phase in the first year of life makes root crops unsuitable for use in forcing, which emphasizes the need for strict adherence to growing schedules for each cultivar type.

General information about the subject — on the page Vegetation period.

Sources8

Varieties of Chicory mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.