Bingo – Endive Seed

New! Early, adaptable witloof variety.
Belgian endive, or witloof, has a 2-stage production system to achieve the blanched heads (or “chicon”) which are a venerated European delicacy and welcome off-season leafy vegetable. Bingo is a vast improvement over Totem, which it replaces, for its superior performance; more uniform root size across a wider range of soil types; improved strength against internal browning of the root core; and improved foliage health against powdery mildew. Early to intermediate forcing period. Bingo is ready shortly after a fall harvest in October/November and continues to store and force well into March.

Specs:

• Packet: 200 seeds
• Avg. 227,300 seeds/lb

CULTURE: Belgian endive may be grown for harvest of fresh greens throughout the winter. Complete cultural and forcing instructions are included with the seeds, and are linked to above.
PLANTING: Sow from early mid- to late spring, ¾–1″ apart (about 30 seeds/ft.), ¼–½” deep, in 2″ wide band, or single rows 16–24″ apart. For minimum soil compaction, use raised beds with 2 or 3 rows 16–24″ apart, beds 5–6′ on center. Sprinkle the soil surface to keep moist. Don’t allow soil to crust before the emergence of seedlings which takes 1–3 weeks, depending on temperature and moisture. Thin to 2″ apart. Keep weed-free by tine weeding and shallow hoeing.
HARVEST: Dig roots in mid- to late fall or after a few light frosts and store like carrots at 32°F (0°C). To force, remove from cold storage after 6–10 weeks to a cool, 55–70°F (13–21°C) room. Keep in complete darkness. Harvest chicons when they become dense, in about 21–29 days.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE: 1M/66′; 5M/330′; 25M/1,650′; 435M/acre at 15 seeds/ft. in rows 18″ apart.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/OZ.: 12,000–14,000 (Avg. 13,000)
PACKET: 200 seeds sows 13′.