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bananimal
04-28-2011, 07:35 PM
Imperial Star artichokes started from seed in Feb. Slow to grow. Is it the heat?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=42239&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=42239&ppuser=820)

Richard
04-29-2011, 12:26 AM
Imperial Star - one of the best tasting artichokes to grow!

Mine like filtered sunlight when the temperatures are over 90 F.

bananimal
04-29-2011, 12:14 PM
Richard,

What do you use for fertilizer and organic ammendments?

They will go between the naner mats so there will be some shading.

Dan

Richard
04-29-2011, 11:33 PM
Artichokes have tubers and will put out slips yearly. Between the bananas sounds good. The planting media should have a greater proportion of soil in comparison to bananas. A loamy soil they can get their roots into is a good idea. They produce well with mineral ratios similar to bananas, so really no need for a different fertilizer. For dosage, I would use a maximum of 1/4 cup 20-5-30 per month, but really 1/8 cup is plenty. Of course there is no need to feed them in the cooler months when the plant is nearly idle. In the first year, expect 6 to 12 buds per plant with the majority being medium-small and a few larger ones. The following years as the plants increase in size and number you will have larger quantities and most buds will be medium-large.

bananimal
04-30-2011, 11:03 AM
Thanks Richard.

Can't wait. I really got turned on to artichokes at a little restaurant in Rome -- Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona. Main course was Abaccio al la Romana - hot house lamb. One of the most memorable meals ever! Especially when I found out that Italy exports poor wine and keeps the good stuff at home.

The chokes were a purple variety. Tried to start some Violetta seed here in S Fla but they all croaked. The grocery stores have unfresh expensive chokes and are a big turn off.

Dan