Leika parsley is a large-leaf variety of the Italian Giant type, distinguished by its high maturity rate and yield. The plant forms a large leaf rosette with smooth, bright green leaves that have a rich aroma and juicy texture. Leika stems are upright and sturdy, preventing lodging, and the foliage regrows quickly after cutting, allowing for multiple harvests per season.
This variety is suitable for both fresh consumption and various types of processing, including drying and canning. Leika parsley is rich in valuable mineral salts and vitamins, making it a useful and fragrant spice. The vegetative period to technical maturity is approximately 50-70 days, and the mass of greens from one plant reaches 45-50 grams, with a yield of up to 6.9 kg per square meter after five cuts.
For successful cultivation of Leika, it is recommended to sow early in spring in well-prepared, light soil rich in humus at a depth of 1.5-2 cm with interrow spacing of about 20 cm. Seeds germinate in 15-20 days. The plant prefers moist conditions and requires regular care, including thinning, watering, weeding, and loosening the interrows. The variety is frost-resistant down to -5°C and tolerates cultivation well after predecessors such as onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes.
