Monviso

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Order

Apiales

Genus

Foeniculum

Species

vulgare

Description

Horticultural herb belonging to the Umbelliferae family like dill, carrot and celery. Appreciated in gastronomy for the aromatic and delicate flavour of the edible part, i.e. the whitish lump formed by the leaf sheaths, harvested during the autumn period. It is cultivated in open fields or beds, preferring full sun exposures but supported by irrigation well proportionate to its needs in soils with a pH below 7.0. Suitable for temperate climates, it is easy to grow.

Variety description

It is a plant that is easy to cultivate and well suited for harvesting in the late autumn period. Cultivation is not difficult and the plant has an upright habit. As a medium-early fennel it can reach a large size and a creamy white colour. The leaves forming the husk, i.e. the edible part, are fleshy and not very fibrous. The variety is preferred over the others due to its earliness and especially its larger size. During cultivation, it is essential to maintain a high water content in the cultivation soil and to fertilise when necessary. This type of cultivation is well suited to Mediterranean climates and has a restricted market due to the small areas invested in this crop.

Curiosities and special features

Typical of Mediterranean cuisine, the fennel bush, raw or cooked, is used in a wide range of recipes such as salads, risottos, fennel au gratin, creams and soups.

In some varieties, the distinctive umbrella-like inflorescence lends a certain ornamental value so that it can also be used in landscape beds where it lends a special and unusual decorative accent.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the temperate biome of the Mediterranean basin, it was already used in Egyptian and Roman times for medicinal and culinary purposes; from the 1500s it spread throughout Europe as a horticultural crop.

Leaf

The leaves have a pinnate lamina, with an aniseed-like scent in some varieties.

Fruit

The leaf is globular in shape and seedless, with a solid consistency and weighing between 500 and 600 g. The skin is not edible, while the colouring is uniform. Ripening takes place from mid to late autumn. From a sensory point of view, the flavour is characteristic, aromatic and delicate, while it is not very fragrant. This variety is distinguished by its excellent organoleptic characteristics and multiple culinary uses, representing one of the main cultivated varieties in terms of quality.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous colour tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.45 to 0.75 m depending on cultivation conditions.

Lifespan

Biennial plant with an annual growing cycle.

Where to plant

Commonly grown in beds, open field

Stem

Herbaceous and robust stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

The variety shows determined growth reaching a given final size.

Plant habit

Plant with an erect habit.

Branching

Variety with abundant branching.

PH

The pH, an index of the acidity level of the soil, is of great importance for proper overall development, in particular values between 5.5 and 6.8 represent the optimal range for the fennel plant; it is recommended not to exceed a neutral level of 7.0 in order not to compromise vegetative growth as well as final productive quality and quantity.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in the open field or in a flower bed at the end of the summer, carry out a deep digging operation of about 20/30 cm, eliminating any weeds, bulky stones and residues of previous crops, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser and, by hoeing, break up the most compact and coarse clods to improve the distribution of the fertiliser. To obtain proper drainage of excess water, thus avoiding harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised bed by ballasting, then carefully level the surface.

During the cultivation cycle, move the first few centimetres of soil with a hoe to remove possible weeds within the planting circle, since fennel is particularly affected by competition with weeds in the vicinity; it is also advisable to tamp the soil by adding a quantity of earth close to the plant to allow the bulb to protect itself, particularly from possible temperature drops that would alter its final quality by making it harder, and to encourage the whitening process.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposures sheltered from the wind in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C for proper vegetative growth.

Use

Variety typically grown in
Agribusiness

Hardiness

The variety is medium-hardy, not tolerating high temperatures and preferring full sun exposures in soils with a pH not exceeding 7.0.

Soil

For the fennel plant, the ideal cultivation soil is medium, deep and well-draining as well as well endowed with organic matter.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow plant, it requires an overall medium level of management effort, ensuring it is well watered and fertilised.

Growing tips

Some useful tips and cultivation aspects related to the specific variety for best production results:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate moist at all times

Intercropping/combination

Cultivation with garlic, lettuce, leek is recommended.

Planting

An average density of 8 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure proper development of each individual specimen with suitable final production. It is advisable to place each seedling on a raised bed with the vegetative apex off the soil surface, ensuring that the root balls are moist and irrigating immediately after transplanting, preferably during the morning hours.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pruning

Harvest in mid to late autumn by uprooting the plant and cutting both at root level and 15 cm above the sheaths, thus removing the vegetative part and retaining the edible part.

Propagation

Reproduction is by sowing in containers.

Watering

The water requirements of the fennel plant are relatively high, especially in the early stages of growth; use rainwater, alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by irrigation. For proper germination it is advisable to moisten the seed before burying it completely in the soil and then keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges; also cover the surface with a layer of substrate or inert material. For transplanting, in order to obtain a rapid and homogeneous rooting of the seedlings with consequent suitable vegetative development, keep the soil at a constant but not saturated humidity, then let it dry slightly between one irrigation and the next, keeping it always damp but preventing water stagnation which can lead to root rot. It is also suggested not to water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon/evening to avoid the spread of phytopathologies.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

In the pre-transplant phase, carry out a background fertilisation by burying slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser. During the growing cycle, apply balanced doses of water-soluble fertiliser specifically for horticultural plants to the soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water. Nitrogenous fertilisation is important as it will allow the lump, i.e. the final edible part, to grow larger; potassium requirements are also high on average as the plant tends to develop many leaves and roots.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Consider the specific case and talk to your veterinarian in case of ingestion.

Edibility for humans

The lump is edible.

Toxicity for humans

The edible part, if ingested in non-excessive quantities, is not toxic to humans; consider the specific case.

Tip

It is advisable to monitor the health of the plant, avoiding possible stress situations but also the presence of diseases or insects. With regard to diseases, pay attention to phytophthora, cercospora and sclerotinia; with regard to insects, observe the possible presence of aphids and nematodes in the crop.