Growing Witlof at home
Witlof (‘white leaf’) chicory is a major vegetable in Europe, however not widely grown in Australia and very rarely grown in the home garden.
We are not sure that you would really want to go to the trouble to grow it as it is complicated and probably one for the ‘Witlof’ enthusiasts only.
How to grow Witlof from seed
It is sown as seed in winter and it is the blanching process that deters most gardeners from growing it.
You grow the Chicory roots, store them and then replant them in the dark.
The process is common in Europe and developed when they did not have access to lettuce and cabbage year round
Plants need to be stored, trimmed replanted in a hole or pot that can be filled with soil to keep out the light.