Allotments 4 All

Why does this always happen??

Sorry - should have used Shirl's patch.

Mine always lose a few lower leaves midsummer....but this looks worse so  a bit dry maybe? They have a huge leaf area, I often strip off the lowest leaves anyway so moisture can reach the base a bit better. They often get blackfly too, but the ladybirds always win in the end.... ;D

hi Tim
I remember that you had a problem with your cardoon last year and kept meaning to post and ask you about it this year. although mine looked similar last year, this year it's looking much healthier, as are the cardoons outside Norwich City Hall. still none the wiser about the problem, sorry.

Are cardoons related to globe artichokes?  (ie all part of the thistle family).

I understood that cardoons, whilst tough as old boots, were edible. ;D

I can remember a cooking programme years ago which had the first appearance of Clarissa Dickson Wright, because she was growing them.  From what I remember, it sounded  like tough celery, even when cooked. ;D

valmarg

You blanch them and eat the stems. There's a ratehr emusing episode of 'The Victorian Kitchen Gardener' where a posh chef gets quite snotty about a cardoon, and only deigns to use the tiniest bit. I can imagine it making a decent soup, or going well in a stew.

If you're that hard pressed??

And no - not dry. So??

R_B, I think that's probably the programme I was thinking about.

The only reason I asked if cardoons were related to globe artichokes is that tim's photo of the plants, they looked like globe artichokes, which by some people (not me) are considered edible, ;D

valmarg

Tim, sorry about your Cardoon,if you do find out i shall be interested to know.
I have a Cardoon, which at present is very healthy it is over 7ft tall & has 47 thistles on it some are now opening,    But you never know with plants they sometimes decide to do there own thing so armed with any information is usefull.
By the way it was a 6" cutting from Emma,last year i just love it.

I put 3 of them on the project garden and one has a flower. Lovely blue thistle looking thing.I would like even if it didn't flower.The bottom leaves on mine have gone a bit dirty but the ones on the project are planted in the med garden and they are beautiful. I think they praps don't like to be overcrowded or fenced in by other plants

Enjoy your retirement - I retired 3 years ago>

Still don't have enough time to do everything I want to do.

Quote from: shirlton on July 26, 2008, 08:23:13
I put 3 of them on the project garden and one has a flower. Lovely blue thistle looking thing.I would like even if it didn't flower.The bottom leaves on mine have gone a bit dirty but the ones on the project are planted in the med garden and they are beautiful. I think they praps don't like to be overcrowded or fenced in by other plants

I think the point about cardoons not liking to be overcrowded must be right.  I have two that I planted last year - one in a crowded border in my back garden that is not doing well; the other in an open position on my allotment and coming along nicely. Or it could just be that the allotment one gets more sun....

Make time, Shirl - the days get shorter & shorter!!

Mine was a seed last year. It got split and moved, and it's rather crowded under the hedge out of the way, as it was well on the way to blocking the path last year. The biggest one is about three feet high, and they all look a bit sorry for themselves. I think they'll have to move again! I've got seedling globes as well, which are going to want some space.