Speeder Radicchio is an F1 hybrid variety of Cichorium intybus bred for consistent quality and reliable performance in North American gardens. This cool-season crop reaches harvest maturity in 60 days, delivering the crisp, bitter-edged leaves that make radicchio such a prized addition to salads and cooked dishes. Unlike older radicchio types, Speeder was developed to provide the uniformity and predictability that home and market gardeners crave, though it still rewards succession planting and variety trialing to match your specific growing conditions.
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3-10
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Moderate
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Speeder stands out as an exclusive hybrid offering from Johnny's Selected Seeds, engineered specifically for North American growers who want dependable results. The 60-day timeline means you can fit multiple plantings into a single season, and the bush growth habit keeps plants compact and manageable. As a cool-season crop thriving between 60-65°F, it actually improves in flavor and color intensity as temperatures drop in fall, making it a natural choice for late-summer plantings that coincide with autumn's arrival.
Speeder radicchio is grown for its edible leaves, which develop the characteristic deep burgundy color and bitter complexity that define the species. The compact heads are ideal for salads, where their bold color and peppery bite complement milder greens, and they're equally excellent braised, grilled, or roasted until the edges caramelize and the bitterness mellows into something almost sweet. Its reliable 60-day harvest window makes it practical for home cooks who want fresh radicchio on a predictable schedule.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds in flats at a density of 4 seeds per inch, or in 3/4-inch plug trays, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite. Start seeds 3-4 weeks before your intended transplant date. Shade flats on warm, sunny days to keep the soil surface cool, below 75°F (24°C), until germination. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright light and cool conditions. About 2 weeks after germination, transplant seedlings 1-2 inches apart into larger flats, pots, or cell-type containers. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before planting outdoors.
Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors after the hardening-off period. Radicchio is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked in spring. Space transplants according to expected mature plant size, with proper spacing to allow heads to form. Transplants that have been properly hardened can survive cool temperatures and light frosts.
Harvest Speeder radicchio at 60 days from transplanting, when heads have formed and reached mature size. Heads are ready when they feel firm and compact. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife. Radicchio's flavor and color intensity actually improve as temperatures cool in fall, so late-season plantings often produce superior quality.
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“Speeder represents the modern evolution of radicchio breeding, part of a wave of hybrid varieties developed to address the unpredictability that plagued earlier radicchio cultivars. While specific breeding details are limited, Johnny's Selected Seeds positions this variety as an advancement over traditional types, optimized for the variable climate conditions across North America. The emphasis on consistency suggests careful work to stabilize growth patterns and head formation, priorities that reflect decades of feedback from commercial and home gardeners frustrated by poor germination rates or wildly uneven maturity.”