Method in which the chicory roots, in darkness are permanently ventilated by an air flow and are fed with a nutritious solution. The temperature of the air flow and the composition of the solution are regulated. The temperature of air flow and the solution is adjusted so as to give a value of the temperature (T) at the heart of the chicory (C) which depends upon the forcing time (t) which has elapsed from the start of forcing, so as to control the growth of the chicory. An Independent claim is included for a forcing installation.
