Topic: Globe Artichokes

[Alexihen]

Has anyone any experience of growing globe artichokes in a polytunnel or greenhouse?  I planted two outside a few weeks ago and they have been eaten, probably rabbits.  I am planning to put two new plants in the polytunnel, but just wondered if anyone else has grown these.

Thanks.

[Eristic]

I would have thought it is a waste of good tunnel space. Can't you put a net over them or set a few snares?

[Alexihen]

No - I wouldn't use snares and have loads of polytunnel space - have two and the second one is empty except for broad beans and tomatoes.   I've grown everything inside since I've had the first polytunnel, carrots, beetroot, salad stuff, onions, shallots, tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, courgettes, so will just do the same with these then.

[Plot69]

I wouldn't put them in a PT or a GH. The ones I grew from seed last year reached 8 foot tall and 10 foot in diameter.

[Alexihen]

Aren't you thinking of Jerusalem Artichokes?  Globe Artichokes only grow to about 3 ft high max.

[Tulipa]

Hi Alexihen

Last year there were Globe Artichokes on our site that must have been 8' tall and looking at seed websites they say 4-6'.  This might help...

http://www.rhs.org.uk/growyourown/globeartichoke.asp

I grew some last year and lost them so am planning to grow them at home in my flower border this year and use them for screening.!

T.

[thifasmom]

Aren't you thinking of Jerusalem Artichokes?  Globe Artichokes only grow to about 3 ft high max.

i've never seen a 3ft globe artichoke, the plants i have seen were always taller than me and i'm just over 5'6" and they are also known for having quite a spread as well.

do you by chance have a new dwarf variety?

[Plot69]

Aren't you thinking of Jerusalem Artichokes?  Globe Artichokes only grow to about 3 ft high max.

No they don't, they grow a great deal bigger than that. Mine were 8 foot at least. I dug them all up as they were taking far too much space.

[gordonsveg]

Hi Alexihen,
       Do you know where i can get some globe artichoke seeds from we used to go to brittany from plymouth quite often, but always forgot to look for the seeds i would like to grow some for the flowers. Due to age and infirmity i cant see us going again soon.


                              Thanks

[caroline7758]

Easy to find seed over here- i think mine were from T&M.

[asbean]

Look for someone with lovely large healthy plants and blag some offsets from them  :) :) :) :) :)

[caroline7758]

Gordon, I can send you some seeds if you want. They are "sow by Aug 2008", the packet has been open since 2006 and it's probably too late now for this year, but I've successfully sown them this year. PM me if you want some.

[Alexihen]

Sorry, Gordonsveg, only just logged on after a few weeks away.  I planted out plants from the local garden shop and didn't do seed.  My plants are doing well in the polytunnel as is everything this year. 

[Digeroo]

Mine are 3 ft high and I only sowed them earlier this year.  Knew they got quite tall but was not expecting 10' diameter.  they are about a meter apart.