Topic: suggestions please for globe artichoke varieties?

[triffid]

I'd like to get some globe artichokes growing so I can revisit times past and eat them so young they haven't formed a choke yet...

Sadly, though, I haven't a clue if varieties matter or if any old artichoke will do  :)
And assuming I'm growing from seed, is it one year or two before they start artichoking?

Any help from the Wise Ones would be much appreciated  :-* :)

[calendula]

I am not sure that there are too many varieties to choose from except for green and purple. I think the green tends to be more hardy. I sow a few every year to keep the stock going and they have nearly always fruited the first year

[Biscombe]

Lucky you bought some seeds the other day, sowed some yesterday want some? Send me a PM with your address
Heres some info for you


Planting:
Artichokes are perennials. Importantly, they will rarely produce flowers the first year. Make sure to plant them where the bed will not be disturbed.
Sow seeds one inch deep, spaced 5-6 inches apart. Rows should be spaced 5-6 feet apart. Thin plants to two 2/12 feet apart.

Days to Maturity:
Approximately 90 to 100 days. But remember, most Artichoke do not produce buds the first year.

nsects and Pests:
Slugs like the young shoots, and are especially a problem in wet weather. Aphids like to suck on the flower buds and stems as they are developing.

Disease:
Blight on the petals of the flower can occur. Treat with fungicide early.

Harvesting:
The Artichoke bud should be harvested just before the bud begins to open. Cut the main bud a few inches below the bud. Smaller secondary buds will form later, and can also be harvested.

Plan ahead. Normally it takes an artichoke plant two years before it produces it's first bulb.

Unharvested buds will produce big, beautiful flowers. So if you miss the harvest, the garden will look pretty.

Hardiness:
Artichoke prefer a long growing season, and mild weather areas. Winter protection requires applying a thick layer of mulch in colder regions.We don't recommend it for northern climates.

[triffid]

Thank you so much, both:  Biscome; message should be with you now.

[organicartist]

Green globe artichokes seem to have a very good germination rate, and the plants grow rapidly, but definitely need to be well protected from slugs & snails while small. Plant more than you think you need because quality from seed is variable, and you won't know which are worth keeping until the second season. My artichokes all produced small heads in the first year, but remove them as soon as they appear, otherwise your plants become weak & leggy and don't produce a good crop the next year. Some plants will produce splendid full heads with few spines, other plants will produce small, tough, very spiny heads. You can propagate your best plants really easily by removing & planting their offshoots - rooted sideshoots around the base.

[supersprout]

Brilliant advice organicartist (waves from Burton Street to Dogsthorpe ;D)

This year I got a lot of globe artichokes in triffid:

Artichoke Purple Globe   Grown from seed, A4a seed swap :)
Artichoke Romanesco   Victoriana nurseries, bought as plants
Artichoke Violetta Precoce       (Franchi)   
Artichoke, Green Globe            (Nicky's)   
Artichoke, Violet de Provence  (eBay)   Ebay seeds - very poor germination >:(
Artichoke, Violet de Provence  (Nicky's)

Plant more than you think you need because quality from seed is variable, and you won't know which are worth keeping until the second season

   

Next year I'm looking for:

Concerto
Emerald
Grande Beurre
Gros Vert De Laon
Menuet
Romagna Violet

so if anyone knows where to find them, please say!

[sawfish]

http://www.twenga.co.uk/dir-Garden-DIY,Seeds-and-bulbs,Artichoke-seeds

[thifasmom]

how many plants could i sensibly get in a space 3' x 3' square. i thought just one but was wondering if i could squeeze 2 in ???

[grawrc]

I think one is all that space will support.

[thifasmom]

I think one is all that space will support.

hmm i thought so and how much would i get from one plant approx?

[realfood]

From a two or three year old plant, you should get 6 to 12 chokes. I have been growing Gros vert de laon for 7 or 8 years in Glasgow with some Winter protection.

[thifasmom]

From a two or three year old plant, you should get 6 to 12 chokes. I have been growing Gros vert de laon for 7 or 8 years in Glasgow with some Winter protection.

is this over the growing/ harvesting period or in one picking?

[realfood]

This is over the whole harvesting period. When you pick the leading chokes on each stem, secondary chokes will start to grow bigger, from nodes further down the stem.

[thifasmom]

ah! OK thanks for clarifying that for me, now i have to think where i can squeeze at least one more plant in, ??? :-\.