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Seeds of a hybrid variety with a solid, round, smooth white bulb, sweet and delicate flavor. Early and very slow to bolt.
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The Carmo early fennel is a hybrid variety much appreciated for its solid, round, smooth white bulb, with a sweet and delicate flavor. Thanks to its earliness it allows harvests ahead of late varieties, while still maintaining consistent quality and excellent resistance to bolting.
This is a herbaceous plant (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) of the Apiaceae family, characterized by wide, fleshy leaf sheaths that overlap to form the characteristic bulb at the base. The stem is upright and hollow, with finely divided, deep green leaves. Carmo stands out for its early cycle and its slowness to bolt, a highly sought-after trait that allows the bulbs to stay in the field longer without losing quality.
The mature bulb is round, compact and firm, uniformly white, with crisp, low-fiber sheaths that make it ideal for both raw and cooked consumption.
Sowing takes place in a seedbed or directly in open field from late June to early July in temperate climates, once minimum temperatures exceed 14°C. The seeds, medium-large in size compared to other vegetables, should be buried about 1-1.5 cm deep. After about 30 days from sowing, if done in a seedbed, the seedlings are ready for transplanting.
Carmo fennel prefers a warm, temperate climate with sunny exposure and an optimal temperature around 20°C; it dislikes intense cold, which can trigger premature bolting. The ideal soil is fertile, rich in organic matter, well-draining, loose or medium-textured, since in overly hard soils the bulb tends to protrude and turn green and fibrous.
Good spacing between plants, about 20-30 cm along the row and 25 cm between rows, allows the bulb to develop properly. Periodically earthing up the base of the plants promotes blanching of the bulb, making it more tender and lighter in color.
Water regularly but without excess, especially in the early growth stages, avoiding waterlogging that favors rot. Periodic earthing up of the bulb, besides promoting blanching, protects the edible part from direct sun exposure that could harden it and make it bitter.
Common leaf diseases include septoria, which causes necrotic spots on the leaves, and powdery mildew, recognizable by its characteristic white powdery coating. Cercospora and rust can also affect the crop during humid periods. Good airflow between plants and targeted preventive treatments help contain these problems.
The bulb of Carmo fennel is rich in water and fiber, with a low calorie content that makes it suitable for controlled diets. It also contains potassium, useful for the body's fluid balance, and the aromatic compounds typical of fennel with digestive and carminative properties, traditionally valued in herbal medicine too.