bananimal

Imperial Star artichokes started from seed in Feb. Slow to grow. Is it the heat?

Richard

Imperial Star - one of the best tasting artichokes to grow!

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

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bananimal

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

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.

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bananimal

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