Heirloom Organic Salad King Endive Seeds

Heirloom Organic Salad King Endive Seeds (50)

The hardy Salad King Endive (Cichorium endivia) originates from places such as Egypt and Greece, making for a endive plant species that adapts well to Northern American climates. This is a giant plant that produces a great yield of dark green endive leaves with white ribs. The Salad King Endive is one of the best endive varieties on the market due to its robust size, good bolt resistance, frost tolerance and ability to produce well under harsh conditions that would otherwise kill other plants of its kind.

90 days — 'Salad King' endive is giant and grows vigorously, resists bolting, tip burn, and frost. The outer leave can be tied to blanch a heart that can reach up to two feet in height. It was introduced in 1957 and is well adapted for the Western United States.

The Cichorium endivia germinate well during the autumn, winter, and early spring seasons, growing to be 12 inches tall. Its leaves are long, curled and deeply cut with dark blades and pale-green midrib. The leaves have an enjoyable bitter flavor, but can be blanched to quell some of that bitterness. A light late autumn or early spring frost is known to enhance the taste of this plant as well. Whether cooked as a leaf vegetable, used raw as a tasty salad, or as a topping to burgers and sandwiches, this is definitely the "king" of salads.
Long, curled and deeply cut endive with a dark green blade and pale green midrib. This one grows more spreading and is slow bolting in hot weather while withstanding fall rains and light frost as well. One of the best for vigorous, uniform endive.

The Salad King Endive has a large number of pests, but to name a few of the most common they are:

The harvest ant can be very bad for fledgling Chichorium Endivia crops, eating the seedlings and carrying the plant seeds and seedlings back to their nests. Flea beetles vary in color depending upon species, nevertheless they all have hard bodies and large hind legs, which assist them in jumping far when threatened. These beetles are very destructive to a stand establishment, laying their eggs in the soil, on leaves, or in holes and crevices within the endives head. The subsequent larvae, along with the adults, will feed on most if not all parts of the plant. Small holes and pits on the leaves are a good sign that your crop may be infested by them. Below you can find a list of other possible pests along with a link to their description for more in-depth information.

Coleoptera (Beetles)
Diptera (Leafminers)
Lepidoptera (Cutworm)
Homoptera (Aphid)
Whiteflies
Thysanoptera (Thrips)
SOWING THE SEED
Endive seeds are best established directly out in the garden, when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Begin by clearing the sowing area of all unwanted plant life and weeds. Create rows, sowing each seed at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. Check below for additional spacing and growth habits.

GROWING CONDITIONS
Endives will thrive in an area of full sunlight, with temperatures of at least 45F to 75F. The soil should be rich in organic matter, but also well drained. We recommend adding a light compost to areas that contain hard, compact soil, to improve drainage. Water your plants with a light water setting to provide ample moisture, but be careful not to overwater.

GERMINATION & GROWTH
Endive seeds will begin to germinate in roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 12 inches tall and can spread a good 24 inches wide. Sow in rows, spacing the plants 12 inches apart, in rows that are spaced 18 inches apart. Harvest after roughly 90 to 95 days.