Bulb Fennel
Orazio Fennel is an F1 hybrid bulb fennel that matures in just 50 days, making it one of the quickest fennel varieties you can grow. Known for producing large, thick, rounded bulbs with excellent flavor, this variety thrives when planted to mature in cooler weather with shortening days. The compact bush habit makes it well-suited to home gardens where space is at a premium, while the rapid maturity means you can succession-plant for continuous harvests throughout the season.
Alvesgaspar(CC BY-SA 3.0)
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6-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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What sets Orazio apart is the combination of speed and substance, 50 days to a full-sized bulb is genuinely fast for fennel, yet the hybrid vigor ensures these aren't undersized compromises. The bulbs themselves are notably thick and well-rounded, the kind that makes kitchen work a pleasure. This is a variety bred for serious production without sacrificing the quality home gardeners actually care about.
Orazio fennel is grown for its edible bulb, which is the white, swollen base prized in Mediterranean cooking. The tender, slightly sweet bulb is sliced raw for salads, braised whole or in pieces as a vegetable side, roasted until caramelized, or used in soups and braises. The feathery fronds are also edible and make an excellent garnish or flavoring for fish dishes.
Sow 2–3 seeds per cell in 1–2 inch cell-type containers, pressing seeds ¼ inch deep into moist soil. Germinate at warm temperatures and grow seedlings for 4–6 weeks under good light until they can be removed without disturbing roots. Thin to one strong plant per cell before transplanting.
Transplant outdoors in midspring through late summer, spacing plants 6 inches apart. Handle transplants with care—disturbing the roots may trigger early bolting. Choose a planting window that allows bulbs to mature in shortening days and cooler temperatures for best results.
Harvest Orazio fennel when bulbs are firm, full-sized, and thick, typically at 50 days from transplanting. Cut the bulb at soil level or pull the entire plant and trim the roots and tops. Bulbs are best when harvested while still tender; waiting too long may allow the plant to bolt.
Clip off any seed stalks that form before the bulb reaches full size. This redirects the plant's energy into bulb development rather than flowering. Monitor plants regularly during the 50-day growing period and remove stalks as soon as they appear.
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