Jerusalem Artichoke

[Bill Door]

Have substantial growth on top ;) but when I checked under the stems the "Fruit" did not seem very big at all ???.  Would I do any damage if I cut the stems down to about 3 or 4 feet high? Should I put a lot of water on them as well 8).

Anyone have any suggestions please.

Bill

[Bill Door]

[redimp]

I planted some of these. 

Thought they were the sort of thing that it was impossible to get wrong and that they become a rampant pest if you don't keep on top of them.

Haven't seen any sign of mine since.  ???

[cleo]

Leave them alone-it`s far too early yet.

But-when you do harvest them -get every one out- a  veg can be a weed ;)

[jennym]

I have grown jerusalem artichokes for 4 years now. I keep a patch going in the same place (no rotation issues yet). The soil is heavy clay, and they do alright, but where I have improved the soil I get bigger tubers. I would not expect them to be very large yet. I normally let them flower (maybe this is breaking the rules, but it works for me.) and dig a few then, just to have a taster. When the flowers are over, I cut them down to leave 2 ft of stems, and dig as required. They normally last well into January, but after that the slugs have usually had most. I leave about 2 tubers per plant in, removing the rest, and those 2 produce the next crop. They act as a wind break and stop passers by getting a view of my allotment. One thing, they stain your hands, so wear gloves when preparing them for cooking.

[djbrenton]

Wateing them makes for too much top growth and less tuber growth I believe.

[organicartist]

My Jerusalem artichokes are looking good too, lovely tall plants, but nothing near the 10 foot tall that some varieties manage, mine are probably closer to 6 foot tall. Don't cut them down because they are in their most active growth period, and according to The Veg Expert book, will not be ready until October.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Leave them till late, dig what you want, and leave the volunteers to produce next year's crop. We used to have a permanent patch in Cornwall, and ran the hens in once they were too big to be eaten. If you don't have hens, you probably need to put something on the patch annually, to replace the goodness you're talking out.

[jennym]

Robert I agree. I put horse muck on mine.

[Bill Door]

Ok thanks all.  Will leave it for the time being and see that the flowers develope :o then chop them back a bit.  They are in a rough bit of the garden so I am not worried about the "weed" aspect.  Will have to get the chickens in though ;).

regards  Bill

[MarthaMad]

I've got two lots going... one courtesy of Lizard Man (Thanks again!) and one from store bought.  I thought that the store bought ones would be duds, but they are beginning to overtake the Fesau Variety. 

The store bought ones are a bit more bushy than the other variety.

[Diana]

Too jealous - rabbits had the growth off mine :'(

[cleo]

Maybe I am fussing,but I still think it`s best to clear out all the tubers,even if you re-plant them in the same spot.

Those tiddlers re-grow and can lead to a forrest of `runt` growth

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've had quite a bit of experience of growing them like this, and have never seen 'runts'. I have a patch right now which hasn't been touched for three years, and they're still seven-eight feet high!

[jennym]

I've had quite a bit of experience of growing them like this, and have never seen 'runts'. I have a patch right now which hasn't been touched for three years, and they're still seven-eight feet high!

Me too!

[Diana]

I have a patch right now which hasn't been touched for three years, and they're still seven-eight feet high!

(adopt cockney accent) Cor, spare us a tuber or 2 come January govnore (or govnoress)?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Just send me a PM to remind me when the time comes. They're the smooth-skinned sort which are easier to peel.

[Diana]

Thank you Robert

[Nathan]

we are nathans daughters :-\ we tried jerusalem artichokes and dont like them very much. actually, we thought they were gross but obviously loadsa other people like them! maybe were just weird.  :P

[Robert_Brenchley]

They're a bit of an acquired taste. My father grew them, and then we grew them in Cornwall, so I'm well used to them. The rest of the family aren't too keen, but then all our food is so spicy that once it's cooked in, it doesn't notice too much!

[jennym]

I adore the taste, but as one of my allotment neighbours commented, there could be a problem with strong wind!!!!