Orion Mid-Early Fennel Seeds

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Seeds of a mid-early hybrid variety with a round, compact white bulb and good flexibility in sowing times.

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Orion mid-early fennel

The Orion mid-early fennel is a mid-cycle hybrid variety, positioned between early and mid-late types, offering a good balance between harvest speed and bulb size. It's a versatile choice for staggering sowings through the season without giving up product quality.

The Orion mid-early fennel plant

This is a herbaceous plant (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) of the Apiaceae family, with fleshy leaf sheaths overlapping to form the bulb at the base, an upright hollow stem and thin, finely divided, deep green leaves. Orion stands out for a mid-early cycle that allows good flexibility in sowing times, adapting to different seasonal windows.

The mature bulb is round, compact and of good size, uniformly white in color with crisp, low-fiber sheaths suitable for both raw and cooked consumption.

How to sow Orion mid-early fennel

Sowing generally takes place from July, in a seedbed or directly in open field, with minimum temperatures stably above 14°C. Seeds should be buried about 1-1.5 cm deep. The mid-early cycle allows sowings to be staggered over a wider period than strictly early varieties, spreading harvests more evenly over time.

How to grow Orion mid-early fennel

Orion fennel prefers a temperate climate, with sunny exposure and an optimal temperature around 20°C. The ideal soil is fertile, rich in organic matter, well-draining and medium-textured: in overly compact soils the bulb tends to protrude and turn green, losing commercial quality.

Spacing of about 20-30 cm along the row and 25 cm between rows should be maintained. Watering must be managed regularly, avoiding both prolonged drought and waterlogging, both harmful to proper bulb formation.

Tips for growing Orion mid-early fennel

Periodically earthing up the base of the plants promotes blanching of the bulb and improves its commercial appearance, protecting it from direct sun exposure. It's useful to regularly monitor development to harvest at the optimal time, preventing the bulb from becoming excessively fibrous.

Diseases and pests of Orion mid-early fennel

Common leaf diseases include septoria and cercospora, responsible for necrotic spots on the leaves, and powdery mildew, recognizable by its typical white powdery coating. Good airflow between plants, ensured by adequate spacing, helps limit the onset of these fungal diseases.

Properties of Orion mid-early fennel

The bulb of Orion fennel is rich in water and fiber, with a low calorie content that makes it suitable for light, balanced diets. It contains potassium, important for the body's fluid and mineral balance, and the typical aromatic compounds of fennel, known for their digestive and carminative properties.

Nutritional values of Orion mid-early fennel (per 100 g)

  • Calories: 31 kcal
  • Protein: 1.2 g
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
  • Fiber: 3.1 g
  • Vitamin C: 12 mg
  • Potassium: 414 mg