Radicchio : Radicchio

Ancient Italian vegetable grown for greens, roots (for coffee) and shoots

Radicchio, like chicory and endive, can be cultivated for three quite different foods: greens, roots (for coffee), and shoots (known as chicons or Belgium Endive). Specific varieties have been bred for each purpose. Radicchio was an ancient Italian vegetable. The varieties are named after the provinces in Italy that grow the specific Radicchio. By 1860 in Belgium they used a technique to stop chlorophyll production. They put the plant in water in darken sheds, forcing it to turn from green to red with white veined leaves.

Asteraceae Cichorium intybus

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Radicchio: Non-forcing

Radicchio

Radicchio is a type of chicory. These varieties produce a head even without cold weather. However you might have to stimulate them to head up, by cutting off most of the top growth (leave only 2 feet of leaves). The resulting new growth should then form a head. A significant percentage of the plants in a bed won't produce the desired cabbage-like heads.

Basics

Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 40-90 (Spring/Summer), 55-95 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Hardy

Radicchio is very cold hardy and frost resistant.
Crops: Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool

Radicchio tastes much better when grown in cold weather. In areas with cool summers radicchio can be treated like lettuce. Plant it 2 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Hot weather makes radicchio leaves intensely bitter, so in warm climates it is normally grown as a fall crop. It is started 8 to 12 weeks (depending upon the variety) before the first fall frost. Radicchio thrives in most soil types, but for easy harvesting, a loose, rich, and fairly moist soil is best.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F
-
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)

Full sun is important when Raddicio is growing in cool weather.

Part shade (Cool)

The plant is similar to Lettuce in many ways, including its tendency to turn bitter or bolt in hot weather. Radicchio will do better in part shade if your climate has warm spells.
Water: High

Radicchio is like lettuce in that it likes moist cool soil. Hot weather makes its leaves bitter.
Feeder: Moderate

For good growth the plants must have all the nutrients they need.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: No
Containers?: Yes

Radicchio is well-suited for container growing. Choose a large container with a minimum depth of 6", and keep it to one plant for every 8 inches of container. Make sure that your container has drainage holes, and fill with a mixture of compost and potting soil. Water thoroughly and regularly, making sure the soil is moist. Keep out of full sun in warmer climates.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 8.0 - 12.0"
Plant Diameter: 6.0 - 8.0"
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Zesty flavor.
Rotation Group: Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens

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Plant Guide

Radicchio : Radicchio

Ancient Italian vegetable grown for greens, roots (for coffee) and shoots

Radicchio

Basics