Leafy greens and brassicas · Moderate
Endive and chicory
Cichorium intybus
DWC or growing medium.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- long
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Sound origin
Cichorium intybus
Wild chicory is native to continental Europe, Asia and North Africa. Known since antiquity, it gave rise to endive, barbe-de-capucin and red chicories.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Endive, raw
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Key steps
- Frisée and escarole are grown like lettuce, in late summer.
- Endive is forced separately, in the dark, from a root: a two-stage crop.
- More pronounced bitterness in the heat.
- Less sensitive to cold than lettuce.
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | May, June, July |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | Sept., Oct., Nov. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Endive and chicory in hydroponics: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Endive and chicory in hydroponics: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Endive and chicory: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). DWC or growing medium.
Endive and chicory: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: May, June, and July. Adjust with your own dates.
- Mon Potager Hydroponique growing benchmarks