How Wild Fennel propagates

How Wild Fennel propagates

Wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. This plant has been known since ancient times for its aromatic properties, its horticultural cultivation seems to date back to the sixteenth century.
Wild fennel is a plant native to the Mediterranean regions. In Italy it is particularly widespread along the coastal areas, from the plain to 1,000 meters.
This plant is grown starting from sowing in full soil, on fertile soil without water stagnation, using, if possible, fresh seeds.
The attempt to grow it in pots is difficult as it is a plant that needs a lot of space. Adult plants can also be reproduced by division of the tufts, to be carried out in spring.

Implantation Technique –
Wild fennel multiplies mainly by seed. Sowing must be done in rows spaced at least 50cm apart; in this sense, shallow postarelle are prepared, about 2-3cm, where 1-3 seeds are placed which are then covered with a thin layer of earth.
Then when the young plants are perfectly formed, only one will be left per station.
The removed plants can however be transplanted elsewhere.
If you really want to grow in pots you have to choose large pots and in this case the plant is kept for a few years after which it is cut off; in fact, the repotting technique is practically not adopted.
The sowing period for wild fennel seedlings is spring.
It can also be done in winter in heated boxes or in specially used greenhouses, the seedlings can be planted in April and after the last frosts.

Seed conservation –
If you want to keep the seed, for later sowing, you must cut the umbels when the fruits are almost ripe and dry them in the shade. Subsequently, when it is necessary to take the seed, just beat them gently to collect everything in a suitable container.
For the details of the cultivation technique, refer to the following sheet.