Growing Methods and Key Technical Points for Chicory

Chicory, also known as bitter vegetable, is a type of chrysanthemum in the chicory genus. It is an annual or biennial herb with a fairly wide distribution and many ways to eat it: it can be eaten raw, served as a cold dressed salad, or made into soup, and it is cultivated all over the world. In addition, it has certain medicinal value, with effects such as antibacterial, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and eye-brightening properties. So how should chicory be grown? Let's take a look together.

1. Site selection and land preparation

Chicory prefers a cool environment, likes moisture and is fond of fertilizer, is not tolerant of drought, and is relatively cold-hardy. It is suitable for planting on hillsides, under forest, in fields, or in areas near water sources at an altitude of 170-3200 m. When planting, choose sandy loam or clay soil that is loose in texture, rich in organic matter, and good at retaining water and fertilizer. It can adapt to soil pH between 4.5-8.9, but grows best in slightly acidic soil. After selecting the site, harrow the soil fine and level it. Combined with land preparation, apply 1000-2000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu as base fertilizer according to the soil fertility status, then make the beds.

2. Sowing

It is suitable to plant in spring or autumn, and varieties with stable yield and strong disease resistance should be chosen. Because chicory seeds are relatively small, broadcast sowing is used for sowing. Open shallow furrows on the bed surface, scatter the seeds evenly into them, then cover with a layer of fine soil. The soil covering should not be too deep and should be controlled at 0.5-1 cm so as not to affect emergence. After sowing, water thoroughly once. Do not tread on it; a slight firming is enough, so as not to affect the germination rate. Use about 2 kg of seed per mu. Pay attention to sowing density so as not to affect plant growth or increase the probability of pests and diseases, thereby affecting yield and returns.

3. Field management

Generally, seedlings emerge 4-5 days after sowing. After the seedlings break through the soil, check the field promptly and water appropriately to keep the soil moist, so that overly dry soil does not affect seedling growth. The root system of chicory seedlings is relatively weak, so loosen the soil promptly to promote root growth, and avoid damaging the roots when loosening the soil. When the seedlings have grown to a certain extent, thin and fill in seedlings promptly. Once diseased or weak seedlings are found, pull them out immediately. Also clear weeds in the field; weeds will compete with seedlings for nutrients and can also induce problems, so clear them promptly. After clearing, take them out of the field to reduce sources of pests and diseases.

4. Fertilizer and water management

In field management, water and fertilize reasonably according to the growth status of the plants to ensure normal growth. At the seedling stage, it is advisable to keep the soil alternating between dry and wet; do not water too much, so as not to cause excessive seedling growth, and do not let it become too dry, which would cause the seedlings to age. During the peak growth period of the plants, also keep the soil moist. If water is insufficient, chicory tastes more bitter and has a poorer mouthfeel. In the late growth stage, when harvest is approaching, control water to ensure quality.

The above is an introduction to chicory growing methods. I hope it can help you. To learn more about growing knowledge, please follow us.