Worth knowing:
The perennial Cichorium intybus is a wild variety of the Chicory salad that blooms with a blue, or sometimes white colour from July until September. The blossoms open up in the morning hours, follow the sun and closing down early in the afternoon. The Chicory is a very old medicinal plant for strengthening the stomach. The first records of the plant were found on Egyptian papyrus scrolls. The French “Mocca faux” (fake coffee), in Germany also known as “Muckefuck” is made from the roots of the plant.
Natural Location:
The Chicory has its natural habitat in Europe and western Asia.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. Plant the fine seeds 1 to 2 cm deep into moist potting compost or herb-substrate and cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out. Don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25°Celsius and keep the earth – preferably with a water sprayer – moist, but not wet. From May on, you can also plant the seeds directly out in your garden.
Place:
The Chicory prefers warm and full sunny places with rather dry and nutritious soil.
Care:
The Chicory develops a deep reaching tap root and needs a tall pot for cultivation. From July until October, the plant can be harvested. The leaves are to be collected before blossoming, and then cleaned and chopped into pieces. After drying the leaves, either in the sun or in an oven with medium heat, you can store the herb in a cool, dry and dark place.
During the winter:
The Chicory is fully frost-resistant and doesn’t need any special protection during winter.
Picture credits:
- © © Manfred Heyde - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Manfred Heyde - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
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