WITLOOF CHICORY/BELGIAN ENDIVE
Other Common Names Include:
Belgian endive, Dutch chicory, French endive and white endive
Latin Name: Cichoriumintybus
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Close Relatives: Curly endive (Cichoriumendivia)
Uses and Markets: Culinary
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Annual
Hardiness Zone
2-7
Special Notes
None
Propagation method
Seeds
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
Roots are transplanted from the field to the greenhouse from September to November.
Field Seeding Date:
Early April to late May, 2-3 weeks before average last frost.
Field Transplanting Dates
May
In-row spacing
20-30 cm
Between row spacing
40 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
7°C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Research from Belgium indicates chicory root production requires (/ha): 150-180 kg N, 60-80 kg P and 240-300 kg K. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Well-drained fertile loams and muck soils.
Soil pH
Acidic soils
Special requirements for growth habit
Raised beds improve quality of roots for forcing.
Optimal Temperature Range
Field production - 7°C (night) - 21°C (day). Forcing – 10°C to 15.5°C.
Temperature sensitivity
Frost sensitive (young tissues only), frost tolerant (mature plants).
Irrigation requirements
A frequent and uniform supply (up to 5.6cm) of surface applied water is essential for a high quality crop.
Days to harvest
Roots can be harvested after 130-150 days; forced crops can be harvested 20-30 days after forcing commences.
Specialized equipment
Bar blade, potato or carrot harvesting equipment.
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Single harvest
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Machine harvest (roots), hand harvest forced tops (chicons).
Quality parameters/grades
Chicons must have a well-formed shape, with tip well-closed and sharp,, be firm and range from white to yellowish white.
Additional Harvest Notes
A digger is used to undercut the roots and loosen the soil. Roots are left in the field and left to cure for 3-4 days without being exposed to light. Tops are then removed and the roots are harvested, cut to a length of 2.5-4 cm and replanted tightly into 6 cm deep bins containing soil. Forcing is done in the absence of light at 10°C to 15.5°C and a relative humidity of 90%. Chicons are removed from roots by cutting or snapping, 20-30 days after forcing began.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
Handle with care to avoid bruising, cuts and abrasions.
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): 90-100%
Temperature: 0-2°C
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Insects and Invertebrates: White grubs, millipedes, snails/slugs
Diseases: White mould (Sclerotiniasclerotiorum), leaf blights (Botrytis, Cercospora, Alternaria, Septoria), post harvest fungal rots, aster yellows
Other:
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Dipteran miners (post harvest – Napomyzacichorii), aphids
Diseases: Bacterial rots (post harvest)
Other: Internal browning (during forcing)
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: grubs, white mould. This crop is not in a crop group. Some pest control products are registered on this crop – consult an OMAFRA specialist for more information. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
None
- McDonald, M.R., Westerveld, S., Bakker, C. and K. Vander Kooi. 2007. Evaluation of fungicides and foliar fertilizers on Belgian endive root yield, petiole discoloration and Sclerotinia rot severity. Vegetable and Non-traditional Crops Research Report. Simcoe Research Station. University of Guelph.
- OregonStateUniversity. 2002. Commercial Vegetable Production Guides.
- Steve Albert. 2009. How to Grow Chicory, Belgian Endive, and Radicchio. Harvest to Table. A practical guide to food in the garden and market.
