Abstract: A technique for forcing the growth of Belgium endive in which roots grown in the field are placed in sterile growing media in pallet boxes stacked one above the other within a controlled-environment chamber whose available volume is fully utilized. In a production cycle, the growth of shoots from the roots is initiated by a start-up temperature in the range of 70.degree. to 80.degree.F, the temperature thereafter being reduced to the range of 52.degree. to 56.degree.F for the remainder of the forcing cycle. The relative humidity is maintained in the range of 70 percent to 85 percent. The roots are planted in a clean, sterile growing media so that in harvesting, when the shoot is cut from the root, it is clean and requires no washing.