Perseo

SKU: MS493
Very early Chioggia type with round, dark red heads and thick white ribs and veins. Perseo can be grown in the early spring and again in the fall. Read More

Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade

Matures in 55 days

Season Cool Season

Seed type OP ?

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Perseo

Product Details

Very early Chioggia type with round, dark red heads and thick white ribs and veins. Perseo can be grown in the early spring and again in the fall. Compact 7.5-10cm (3-4”) heads allow for close spacing of plants. Chop the tightly packed heads into salads for a pop of dramatic coloru and flavour complexity with its mild bitterness. When grown for fall harvest, plant the 3rd week of June, near the summer solstice. Heads are fully mature when they are well-filled, though they can be harvest and eaten at any time prior as well.

Quick Facts:

    • Round, Chioggia type.
    • Grow early spring and fall.
    • Very early maturity.
    • Dark red with white ribs and veins.

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Perseo

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All About Perseo

Latin

Latin
Cichorium endiva (endive) & C. intybus (radicchio)
Family: Asteraceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Endive is easy.
Radicchio is moderately difficult.
Belgian endive (witloof) is downright challenging – but worth the effort.

Season & Zone

Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full-sun

Timing

Timing
Sow after the last frost date and again in mid-summer to take advantage of the fall growing season. Optimal soil temperature: 10-22°C (50-72°F). Seeds sprout in 2-15 days, depending on conditions. In hot weather plants may go to seed quickly, so have new plantings ready to go.

Starting

Starting
Either direct seed or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, and thin or transplant to allow 30-45cm (12-18″) between plants in rows 30-45cm (12-18″) apart.

Days to Maturity

Days to Maturity
From direct sowing.

Growing

Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Enrich soil with compost and add ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. Rapid, continuous growth is essential for good yields and high quality. Regular watering is essential. Fall plantings can be protected from rain by putting a cloche over them. Endive heads can be blanched to reduce bitterness by placing a cardboard or plastic disc on top. Radicchio requires a good supply of phosphorus and potassium, but will not head and may bolt if there is too much nitrogen available. Days to maturity shown are from date of direct sowing. If transplanting, subtract 10-15 days.

Harvest

Harvest
Use as a cut and come again crop or let the heads develop and cut at ground level. Many will grow back.

Seed Info

Seed Info
In optimal conditions at least 65% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 140 seeds, per acre: 40.6M seeds.

Diseases & Pests

Diseases & Pests
Aphids – Water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash the plant off with water occasionally as needed early in the day.

Moulds and rot from heavy rains can be prevented by growing under cover. Tip burn is a calcium deficiency within the plant that can be caused by an imbalance with over nutrients. Make sure to add lime to the soil, do not over-fertilize, and harvest just before full maturity.

Customer Reviews & Questions