LATIN NAME: Cichorium endivia.
CULTURE: Endive is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. It is a cool weather crop and grows best at temperatures of 15.5-18.3C. Careful variety selection is important for hot weather plantings. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh endive.
THERMAL DORMANCY: Endive seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures above 25C. Optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 15.5-20C.
TRANSPLANTING: Sow in flats, 4 seeds/2.5cm, or in 19mm plug trays, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Shade the flats on sunny, warm days if necessary to keep the soil surface cool, below 24C, until germination. If sowing into flats, transplant 2.5-5cm apart into flats, pots, or cell-type containers about 2 weeks later. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as -6C. Spacing closely at 20-25cm encourages these varieties’ self-blanching characteristics.
DIRECT SEEDING: Seeds will germinate from 5-29C, but the highest germination percentage will occur around 24C, depending on the variety and seed lot. Sow seeds 2.5cm apart, rows 30-45cm apart. Cover seed lightly, about 3mm, and firm soil gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for uniform germination. Thin the seedlings 20cm apart as soon as they are large enough to handle.
SALAD MIX/BABY LEAF: Sow in a 5-10cm wide band, about 60 seeds/30cm. Cover seeds lightly, about 3mm. Firm soil gently, and keep surface moist until emergence in 3-5 days (or longer in cold weather). Harvest at 4-5 weeks.
HARVEST: Clip individual leaves or harvest whole head by cutting with a knife just above the root attachment. Cool quickly by dunking in cold water, drain, and refrigerate.
BLANCHING: Our varieties are nicely self blanching, but if a thorough white or cream blanch is desired use the French technique: about 3 days before harvest, rest a 10-12cm cardboard disk, plate, or tie leaves up, to exclude light from center of plant.
DAYS TO MATURITY: Baby leaf maturities are from direct seeding. Other maturities listed are from transplant; add about 10 days if direct seeding.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE – BUNCHING: 1M/55m, 5M/28m, 25M/1.25km, 175M/acre at 6 seeds/30cm in rows 45cm apart.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE – BABY LEAF: Sow in 5-10cm wide bands, 6 seeds/2.5cm, 1M/4m; 5M/24m; 83metres/30g; 1.25km/500g.
TRANSPLANTS: 2 seeds per cell, thinned to one seedling.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/1,000 pelleted seeds/37 grams
Quick Facts
- Latin Name: Cichorium endivia
- Days To Maturity: 75-85 Days summer, 100-110 Days winter
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Hybrid Status: Open pollinated
