Comune

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Order

Brassicales

Genus

Lepidium

Species

sativum

Description

An annual herbaceous plant with a short growing cycle, much in demand in the agri-food industry for its tender leaves with their typical sour and slightly spicy flavour. It can be grown in open fields, flowerbeds and tubs, taking care to irrigate and fertilise with the correct timing. It is characterised by vigorous growth and abundant branching.

Variety description

It represents a baby leaf variety that is very popular and in demand in the catering industry for its distinctive spicy but well-defined flavour. Being a baby leaf, it is characterised by a very short cultivation cycle and consequently it will be essential to manage both irrigation and fertirrigation very well. It can also be used for aromatic purposes and it is recommended to prefer half-shade exposures if possible.

Curiosities and special features

Watercress leaves, rich in vitamins and minerals, are widely used in the preparation of appetisers, dressings, salads, piadinas or as a garnish as well as for flavouring cheese.

The plant is also used in phytotoxicity tests in the laboratory (watercress test) and in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

Origin and distribution

A species native to Ethiopia or, according to other scientific studies, western Asia, it is now found throughout Europe.

Leaf

The leaves have a bipinnate, oblong lamina.

Fruit

The leaf is oblong in shape and tender in texture, G-weighted, containing no seeds. The skin is not edible and the colour is unicolour. From a sensory point of view, the leaf is unscented, but characterised by a strong taste with a sour and spicy flavour. The edible part also includes the herbaceous stem, and the overall quality appearance is good.

Leaf colour

The leaf blade is unicoloured.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.03 to 0.12 m.

Lifespan

Short-cycle annual herbaceous plant.

Where to plant

Variety with versatile use, can be grown in beds, open fields, outdoor tubs, large pots

Stem

The stem is herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Growth

The variety is characterised by vigorous growth.

Plant habit

It develops an erect habitus.

Branching

Branching is abundant allowing a good level of production.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or potting soil ranges from slightly acidic to neutral with values between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the open field, dig 20/30 cm deep to remove any weeds, bulky stones and residues from previous crops, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the nutrients needed in the plant's early stages of development, and use a hoe to break up the more compact and coarser clods in order to obtain softer soil and improve fertiliser distribution. In order to improve the drainage of excess water, thus preventing harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised flower bed by slightly bouldering the soil, and finally carefully level the surface.

During cultivation, work the soil on the surface again for the first 2/3 cm by hoeing, removing possible weeds.

Sun exposure

Suitable for different types of exposure such as half shade, afternoon sun, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C for proper vegetative growth.

Use

The variety is cultivated and appreciated in

Agribusiness Aromatic

Hardiness

The variety is not very hardy, attention must be paid to water and fertilisation requirements in order to obtain an excellent production result in terms of quantity and quality.

Soil

It prefers a medium-textured soil, i.e. a soil characterised by a correct proportion of the different texture classes, as well as well-drained, deep and with organic matter; for use in tanks, a horticultural soil containing blond and brown peat is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy, the level of management effort is low on average.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation tips to achieve excellent vegetative growth followed by a good final production level:

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

Planting

The average planting density is high, averaging 3250 plants per square metre with small row and inter-row spacing.

Pruning

Carefully sharpen cutting tools to avoid possible tearing of the crop during harvest.

Propagation

Reproduction is by scatter sowing.

Repotting

Repotting should be carried out during the spring period if the plant shows stunted growth with poor root development.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts or canals with an optimal sub-acid pH, either by hand or using an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure that it takes root properly in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but without exceeding the frequency and water supply to avoid possible root rot. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between one watering and the next, keeping it moist but not saturated. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon/evening but only in the morning hours in order to avoid the development of phytopathologies. As it is a plant with a very short cultivation cycle, it is essential to intervene daily with adequate irrigation.

For sowing, moisten the seed by burying it completely and covering it with a layer of substrate and inert material, then keep the soil wet until the shoot emerges.

Fertilising

In the pre-transplant soil preparation phase, it is advisable to carry out a basic fertilisation by burying organo-mineral fertiliser.

Subsequently, in view of the fast growing cycle, it is strongly recommended to apply a specific water-soluble fertiliser for vegetable plants to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water regularly and in the dosages indicated on the package purchased; pay particular attention to leaf yellowing attributable to water or nutritional stress.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, consider case specific.

Edibility for humans

The leaves and herbaceous stem are edible.

Toxicity for humans

The leaves and stem are not toxic to humans if ingested in suitable quantities; consider the specific case for possible contraindications of intake.

Tip

Given the fast growing cycle, pay close attention to the plant's water and fertiliser requirements. Continuously monitor the health of the plant itself as it is susceptible to various diseases and pests. Avoid watering in the afternoon and water in the morning hours only.