What's up, Doc?

[tim]

Unhappy cardoon.

[tim]

[Froglegs]

Mine have got the same. ???

[Froglegs]

 :'(

[Robert_Brenchley]

mine (one survivor out of four I planted out) is turning yellow. The only thing i can think of is the weather, but hopefully it'll have a chance to recover if this lasts.

[norfolklass]

mine is less lush this year, but is the flower spike is taller and has more heads. some leaves have turned yellow and dropped off, while some have gone brown and crispy in the sun â€" needed more watering I think. it's also been eaten by caterpillars and earwigs (anyone else got HUNDREDS in their garden this year?!?)

but, I do remember Monty Don saying on GW that his weren't doing well, stunted and yellow and sickly looking,  because of a cultivation pan â€" they like a good deep root run â€" so he dug them up, double dug the bed, and replanted. I think it was last summer, so when GW starts up again next month look out for them in the long border and see how healthy they look... it might have made no difference!

although after a second look Tim the pale colouration on the leaves between the veins looks as if it's indicating a deficiency of some sort... doesn't the same thing on tomato leaves mean a magnesium deficiency?

[saddad]

I have an Acanthus which has done exactly the same...
::)

[tim]

I don't think it's a deficiency.  And couldn't be drought??

All the bottom leaves discoloured early & were removed.

We too have twice as many heads as last year, but that might mean because it's a bit older?

[broad beannie]

Hi Tim, haven't been on much lately - too much sunny weather to be stuck indoors but don't you look handsome in your new photo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[norfolklass]

I don't think it's a deficiency.  And couldn't be drought??
All the bottom leaves discoloured early & were removed.
We too have twice as many heads as last year, but that might mean because it's a bit older?

I noticed on the walk home last night that all the cardoons in the beds in front of City Hall look exactly the same, and they've been there for years... very weird!
(I think you're right about the number of flowerheads, this is my cardoon's second summer so it's a much bigger plant than last year)

it's a mystery!