Broccoli 'Di Cicco'

Di Cicco is an early heirloom Italian broccoli variety. Although it produces a relatively small main head, once harvested it will continue to produce plenty of additional side shoots for several months, greatly extending the harvest period. 11-14 weeks to harvest. 120 seeds per packet.
Broccoli 'Di Cicco'
Broccoli 'Di Cicco'
Price Per Packet: $ 2.50

Growing Advice

Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea Italica Cultivar Group

Common Names: Broccoli 'Di Cicco', Broccoli 'Di Cicco Early', Broccoli 'De Cicco'

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin:

Di Cicco is a heirloom broccoli variety that was bred during the 1890s in Italy.

Culinary Uses:

Broccoli can be eaten raw or steamed briefly for best flavour and maximum nutrition.  Include plenty of the stem when harvesting as this is actually sweeter than the florets.  Broccoli leaves are also edible but strong in flavour and harvesting them will reduce the energy available for head production.  The flavour of broccoli is best when grown in cooler climates.

Growing Tips:

Grow broccoli in full sun for fastest growth.  In warmer climates broccoli may suffer from heat-stress when grown in full sun so instead plant them in partial shade.  Heat stress may cause broccoli to bolt to seed causing them to produce small heads, to prevent this water them regularly and mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and keep their root systems cool.  Broccoli is a heavy feeder and requires a fertile, free-draining soil rich in organic matter to grow well.  If you soil is sandy or lacking in organic matter place down plenty of compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting broccoli.  Top dress around broccoli plants with a complete organic fertiliser if growth is slow or at the first sign of leaf yellowing or any nutrient deficiency.    Heirloom Di Cicco broccoli is resistant to downy mildew.  Net broccoli plants to protect them from cabbage white looper caterpillars when growing during Spring and Summer.  Spraying broccoli leaves and heads with a commercially available, organic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) solution can also help to control caterpillars.  Aphids can be controlled by blasting them with a spray of water to dislodge them from plants.

When to Sow:

In cold and mountainous regions of Australia sow Di Cicco broccoli seeds during Spring.  In temperate regions of Australia sow Di Cicco broccoli seeds from mid Summer through to late Autumn.  In subtropical regions of Australia sow Di Cicco broccoli seeds from mid to late Autumn.  Broccoli is unlikely to grow well in the tropics.

How to Sow:

Sow broccoli seeds 6mm deep, for maximum seedling vigour sow several seeds into each planting hole and thin to the healthiest seedling a week after germination.  Space broccoli plants 35cm apart to give their root systems room to grow and allow airflow between plants.  When planting leggy, punnet-grown broccoli seedlings bury them deeply up to the level of the seed leaves (cotyledons), this will help to stabilise and prevent them falling over during strong winds.

Germination Time:

Broccoli seeds germinate quickly and consistently with most seedlings emerging 7 to 10 days after sowing.

Time to Harvest:

Di Cicco is an early broccoli variety, taking between 11 and 14 weeks to produce its main central head.  Di Cicco will continue to produce additional side shoots after the main head is harvested so wait before composting old plants.  Harvest broccoli heads while they are still tight, if left on the plants too long the florets will start to spread out which is an indication they will soon turn into flowers.