Semi di Cicoria Variegata di Lusia

• Variegated Lusia Chicory
• The variegated lusia chicory Plant
• How to Sow Variegated Lusia Chicory
• How to Grow Variegated Lusia Chicory
• Tips for Growing Variegated Lusia Chicory
• Diseases and Pests of Variegated Lusia Chicory
• Properties and Nutritional Values

Variegated Lusia Chicory

The variegated Lusia chicory is a variety typical of the Veneto region, celebrated for its decorative appearance: the inner leaves, cream-white or pale green in colour, are speckled with delicate red marks that give them a very attractive look. With a mid-late cycle, it is particularly valued for its sweet, crunchy taste, free of the bitter note typical of other chicory varieties.

The variegated lusia chicory Plant

It belongs to the species Cichorium intybus, family Asteraceae. The head is large, round and compact, with an average weight ranging from 350 up to 500-700 grams depending on the selection. The inner leaves are thin, with faint veining, pale green or cream-white with light red variegation; the outer leaves are more expanded and mottled with red on a white-yellow background.

How to Sow Variegated Lusia Chicory

Transplanting is recommended from August to October, for staggered harvests ranging from November through to December-January depending on the selection (early, mid-season or late). Seedbed sowing precedes transplanting by about 4-5 weeks; a field density of about 7 plants per square metre is recommended to ensure optimal head development.

How to Grow Variegated Lusia Chicory

It grows well in cool, loose, medium-textured soil, well worked and rich in organic matter. Watering should be constant and generous immediately after transplanting, to encourage regrowth; once the plant is established, watering can be reduced to 2-3 times a week, adjusted according to rainfall. It has good bolting resistance but does not tolerate excessively harsh temperatures.

Tips for Growing Variegated Lusia Chicory

To obtain well-formed heads with the most pronounced red variegation, good sun exposure and an autumn climate with moderate temperature swings are beneficial. In case of intense frost, it is advisable to protect the plants with garden fleece, as this variety is less resistant to extreme cold than other red ball chicory types.

Diseases and Pests of Variegated Lusia Chicory

It can be affected by aphids and slugs, especially in the early growth stages, and by rot in cases of waterlogging. Good airflow between plants and well-drained soil significantly reduce the risk of fungal diseases typical of chicory.

Properties and Nutritional Values

Like other chicory varieties, it is rich in minerals, B vitamins and vitamin C, with digestive and depurative properties. Its sweet, delicate taste, almost free of bitterness, makes it particularly suited to raw consumption in fresh salads, but it also works well in cooked dishes such as grilled or roasted vegetables and gratinated lasagne or risottos.