Artichokes

[chriscross1966]

Squash - I would absolutely love to have some Romanesco globe artichoke seeds! Would you be interested in some Gigandes saved seed in return?

Ooh... sorry to hijack... someone has given me some of these seeds (might have been you even ).... when's best to start them, early and live with fighting a jungle in the GH before they go out or slightly later?.... my rootrainers will become available in about a fortnight I expect (another replacement set of broadies in there ATM) so they could start early if that's sensible, or selse I can start them with the rest of the half-hardy climbing beans in about a month-six weeks....

chrisc

[Digeroo]

I grew purple globe artichoke from seed last year but they are certainly not showing signs of being evergreen.  I am hoping they will sprout from the base.  Some are showing signs of a little bit of green.  I will be gutted if they all die.

[artichoke]

Squash - I have to apologise for posting your gigandes only this morning, but they should be with you soon, and thank you very much for the artichoke seeds which arrived much more promptly.

chriscross1966 - these gigandes are a form of runner beans (in spite of tasting like butter beans) so treat them the same way, whatever it is that you do. Germination does seem unpredictable, which is why I advise keeping them in warm damp cloth for a few days to check they are going to grow. Once started, they grow away very strongly, and reach 8' or more. They make poor eating as runner bean pods, so I leave the pods on until they swell and go brown and papery in the autumn. I love them.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Last time I tried growing them (2008), I had very poor germination in the mini-greenhouse, and the only one that grew sulked after I planted it out until the slugs ate it. The advice I had at the time was to soak them before planting, and I'm going to keep them on the windowsill as well this time, until they're well away.

[chriscross1966]

Many thanks re:advice......Don't get so het up about seed postage... I was getting quite stressed over my tardiness getting a seed swap I organised back out again... then I realised it was at least 2 months before anyone would be sowing them....

chrisc

[Squash64]

I uncovered some artichokes today and this is what was under the straw


Some of the leaves were a bit crispy but at least the plant is alive.

However, this cardoon was not covered at all and is much bigger than the artichokes

[Vinlander]

I grew giant purple in '08 and they all turned out to have serious thorns on each bract - lots of work with scissors before I could put them into a plastic bag without shredding it!

The picture in the catalogue showed a bud covered in the usual friendly notches not an instrument of torture.

Is it worth sowing the rest to find they are all the same?

Anyone know a reliable (cheap) source of thorn-free purples?

Cheers.

[1066]

just checked the packet and it says "...produces rounded,  violet flower heads aloft spineless stems ..."    I know Nickys Nursery do them, but I'm sure others have them as well

[artichoke]

1066, I have just belatedly posted your gigandes, sorry about delay. Glad to say that some of your artichoke seeds are up; and can also report that I have had almost 100% germination from the gigandes after soaking them in damp cloth/plastic bag in warm place, so I wish you success with yours.

[1066]

Phew!! My 2 seedlings are doing fine and dandy 
Looking forward to the beans and thanks for the tip on germination 

[AndrewB]

Mine are starting to poke through now, quite surprised after the winter we had.  Had plans for the space they are in but still quite pleased they have survived.

[antipodes]

Yes mine has popped back up as well, I guess it will just be a little late in flowering this year. Surprising, the cold they can withstand! We had many periods of well below zero C this winter...  All the other things like strawberries, thyme, sage, tarragon, mint, lemon balm have all popped back up too, although they had no protection whatsoever.
Isn't nature amazing?