Fennel Bulbs Selma [Foeniculum vulgare]

The annual bulb fennel 'Selma' is a fast-growing leaf vegetable that forms close-fitting, crisp leaves on an above-ground bulb. The juicy bulb has a mild, spicy to sweet taste. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the bulbs.

 Description 
Bulb fennel 'Selma' is an annual and early-ripening leaf vegetable and medicinal plant. Fennel is originally native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. The Romans' campaign of conquest brought this plant through Central Europe to the north of the continent. Bulb fennel has been an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine since the 19th century and is considered a historical and cultural heritage of the people of Europe. Later, the versatile vegetable was used as a medicinal herb in monastery gardens. The fast-growing variety forms round to high-round and bulbous white bulbs. The tender and juicy bulbs have a crispy structure. The taste is mildly spicy to sweet and reminiscent of a mixture of anise and liquorice. Bolt-resistant and ideal for raw food. A variety for year-round cultivation in the subtropical climate zone.

 General information 
Plant family: Apiaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 90 days
Plant height approx.: 50 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Young plants down to -4°C and old plants down to 5°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 0.5-1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Chicory, Lettuce, Pea, Cucumber, Radicchio, Sage, Sugarloaf
Unfavorable mixed culture: Dill, Bean, Cumin, Tomato, Kohlrabi, Celery

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation from January to October is recommended. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to July is recommended. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
When planting, pay attention to the sensitive roots so that growth is not reduced. Pre-cultivation is recommended so that the plants can be planted later at the specified planting distance. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible fennel leaves are visible, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Bulb fennel 'Selma' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a staggered harvest, several sowings at intervals of 8 weeks per year are recommended. In locations with a lot of snails, pre-cultivation is always recommended. Snails love small fennel sprouts! To obtain compact, high-quality bulbs, mounds, even watering and temperatures are important. Lots of nutrients and minerals in the soil make the bulbs more tender. Growing in a greenhouse is only recommended over the winter with sufficient ventilation. Small seedlings can withstand temperatures of up to -4°C for a short time, large plants with tuber development would start to rot at these temperatures. To quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich soil and mixed planting are sufficient for bulb fennel. No additional fertilization is required.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Foeniculum vulgare
English names: Fennel root, Bulbous fennel, Fennel bulbs
German names: Knollenfenchel, Gemüsefenchel
Portuguese names: Funcho bulboso, Funcho de raiz
Spanish names: Raíz de hinojo
French names: Fenouil bulbeux, Fenouil à bulbe, Racine de fenouil, Fenouil racine

 Origin 
Country: Switzerland