Topic: Cardoon

[Sarah-b]

Does anyone here grow cardoons?
If so - do they taste nice?
Do you just eat the stalk?
Are they easy to grow from seed?
Are they perennial?

Sarah.

[cleo]

1-yes

2-never tried

3-yes-blanched

4-yes

5-yes

Stephan

[Lady Cosmos]

Hallo Sarah, Cardoon looks like a thistle but is a vegetable. It is big and takes a lot of space to grow. I never have grown it myself but I have seen it with friends. It can be nearly 2 mtr. tall. It needs lots and lots of water in the summer and in the early autumn you have to earth it up, I believe, thats for reducing the stringiness of stalks. The top looks like an artichoke. You eat the stems. Cook them for half an hour, cut in small pieces. I don't know if it tast good.  

[john_miller]

And they can make great plants in the ornamental border.

[Sarah-b]

Well, I am tempted to try them next year. I think it's interesting to grow things that aren't available in the shops - well at least not where I live!

Thanks,
Sarah.

[Mrs Ava]

I tried to grow them from seed this year, but I think they were duff as not one germinated!  I am hoping to maybe acquire a couple next year for the plot.  As you say, anything unusual that you can't get in the shops is a bonus!  ;D