Hand Pollinating Cichorium intybus ( Radicchio )

[Max Holzapfel]

Hi everyone,

i´m interested in crossing different Radicchio varieties but since we have a lot of wild cichorium intybus around i don´t really want to let them flower "openly" or use insects under a net.

My plan is now to still let them flower under a net but to make the first crosses by hand.
Which means i would have to do this everyday since the flowers open only for one day.
I think about using a brush to collect pollen and then just visit every open flower from another plant with it (everyday ).
Since they are highly self-incompatible I´m optimistic this should work. I wonder if the commercial hybrids are created like this as well?

Now I´m wondering if anyone has experience in hand pollinating cichorium or what you think about this strategy?

Any answer is highly appreciated.

All the best,

Max