Artichoke main ways of growing

Content

Reasons to grow edible thorns
Some varieties of amazing vegetables
Growing technology
Stratification and picking
Seedling preparation
Transplant to open ground
Plant care

Growing an artichoke from seed allows for a mature perennial plant and a delicacy harvest from the Mediterranean. In appearance, the vegetable is similar to the weed, thorny herb, thistle, but in terms of price and benefits it is compared to salmon caviar. Choosing the best variety for your region, preparing the soil, observing the rules for the care and collection of inflorescences will help to harvest a decent harvest.

Reasons to grow edible thorns

This plant is not only used for human consumption. It was originally raised for decorative purposes. The inflorescences were used for decoration of premises and as a filler, decoration of bouquets. Only much later, having tried the unblown inflorescences, gardeners began to use it for food.

Interesting fact: In ancient Rome, the artichoke was especially popular - as an aphrodisiac and a delicacy. It was consumed fresh and harvested for future use.

The taste of the crop is quickly lost after harvest. The optimal shelf life is 7-8 days, however, in the refrigerator, the buds retain their taste for up to 90 days. The Vietnamese use all parts of the artichoke, including the stems, rhizomes and foliage, to make aromatic medicinal tea. Culinary experts prefer Cardon (Spanish artichoke) and a seed crop.

It should be remembered that large, overripe inflorescences lose their juiciness. Old petals are trimmed (horny ends are removed from them) and boiled before cooking. The optimal size of "fruits" is the diameter of an average chicken egg; these can be eaten fresh and added to salads.

So why are artichokes so beneficial? They contain the whole spectrum of vitamins and trace elements that have a beneficial effect on the human body:

recommended for older people prone to cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis;
for the rehabilitation of patients with hepatitis;
the increased content of caffeine quinic acid in the artichoke, allows the use of all parts of the plant for diseases of the kidneys and liver, especially with severe intoxication of the patient's body;
artichoke has a beneficial effect on the body in case of gastrointestinal diseases;
helps men to deal with problems of sexual desire;
beneficial effect in diseases of the urinary and biliary systems.

It is important to select quality seeds from good plant varieties before planting.

Some varieties of amazing vegetables

Artichoke varieties differ, first of all, in terms of ripening and size of inflorescences. Bred varieties without thorns. In any case, these are heat-loving plants that will require the preparation of seeds and soil, adherence to the rules of care. It is better to buy seed from trusted sellers and do not pursue a low price. Otherwise, instead of a delicacy, there is a high probability of growing an ordinary thistle, waiting in vain for the harvest of juicy "cones".

For our conditions, the Green Globe variety is most suitable. This plant allows a quick harvest and is cultivated as an annual.

A selection of Italian scientists with "cones" painted in a beautiful purple color — the artisho of the Violetto variety. The inflorescences have a slightly oblong shape. The variety is best planted in the southern regions, it is demanding on heat and has a late ripening period.

Planting Stars of the Empire allow you to harvest round inflorescences in 70-80 days. The variety is also grown as an annual.

Growing technology

Because of the too short summer and unstable weather in central Russia, sowing an artichoke in open ground is dangerous: it will not have time to bear the "fruits" or will die.Alternatively, planting in a greenhouse with the ability to extend daylight hours.

However, in practice, it is much more convenient to plant seedlings at home, and at a suitable time, move them to a garden or vegetable garden. In this case, the plant gives the first harvest of juicy inflorescences in three months.

Important! The bushes need to be covered for the winter: they will not survive our frosts.

Stratification and picking

The seeds are activated in February, and they are sown in early spring. If you have never cultivated an artichoke before, we advise you to purchase 1 packet of seeds of the same variety and try to grow 10-15 bushes first, no more. If the first harvests please you, next year the area of the artichoke beds can be increased.

We recommend the following procedure for working with seed:

Pour the seeds into a container, fill it with warm water - this work is best done in the evening.
The next day, spread the swollen grains on a damp cloth.
After wrapping the edges of the fabric and dampening it with water, place the package in a plastic bag.
Now block the air supply (this is important) and place the bag in a dark place with a constant room temperature for 5-6 days so that future sprouts hatch.
The signal for planting seeds is darkening of the tips of the seeds.
Experienced artichoke lovers advise placing the awakened seeds underneath the refrigerator compartment: short-term cooling will improve ovary formation and future yields.
While the seeds are cooling, prepare the soil. The ideal soil mixture is humus, river sand and the top fertile soil layer in equal proportions. Mix everything and pour a little water.
Use disposable cups, peat tablets or wooden boxes as containers for planting seedlings. At the bottom, holes are desirable for the drainage of excess water. Soak the peat tablets, then place them in the box for future seedlings.
Fill the bottom of the dishes with expanded clay for drainage and fill 2/3 with prepared soil.
If you are planting seedlings in boxes, make rows 10-15 mm deep with a row spacing of 30-40 mm. Spread out large artichoke seeds, leaving 30mm gaps. You can plant 1 grain in small cups - then the root system of the plant will not suffer during transplantation, and it will take root faster.
Moisten the soil a little from a spray bottle and pack the stand with glasses or wooden boxes in plastic bags or cover with glass on top. During this time, it is important to maintain a constant soil moisture level and temperature for better plant development.

Advice! When placing seeds and sprinkling the rows / holes with soil, be extremely careful not to damage the delicate sprouts.

While maintaining comfortable conditions for development, the first shoots will appear after 10-12 days. And after 14 days, the first-born leaf grows. At this time, the seedlings must dive: pinch the tips of the roots of each artichoke or tear off and plant each bush in a separate container.

Seedling preparation

Prepared artichoke seedlings usually take root in the garden without difficulty. In addition to proper nutrition, the sprouts need hardening. For this, the containers are taken out on the street every day. Start with a few hours, gradually letting the sprouts get used to the effects of wind, sun and low (in no case negative) temperatures.

Plants are planted depending on the climate in the region. In the south - in mid-April, and in the central zone - not earlier than May. The general rule is the following: start preparing for a transplant if the long-term weather forecast does not promise cataclysms and the average temperature does not drop below 18-20 ° C per day. Still, for peace of mind, it is better to prepare temporary shelters from sudden frosts from arcs and covering material.

Transplant to open ground

Prepared artichoke seedlings usually take root in the garden without difficulty. In addition to proper nutrition, the sprouts need hardening.For this, the containers are taken out on the street every day. Start with a few hours, gradually letting the sprouts get used to the effects of wind, sun and low (in no case negative) temperatures.

Preparation for the relocation of seedlings begins with the choice of a place for the future bed. If you plant a plant in the shade, swampy lowlands and on dense soil, you can forget about the harvest. In such places, the artichoke will not receive sufficient supply of solar energy, oxygen and minerals. In areas open to the cold north wind or with high groundwater, the roots of the bushes will freeze in winter or get wet, which will provoke a black leg or other rot. For an artichoke, a garden bed on the sunny side of an area with loose soil without strong shade is suitable.

The location of the bushes on the site is determined by their purpose. If the artichoke is grown to decorate the garden, then you will need to plant the shoots taking into account the total exposure of the site. Dig holes, 3 shovel bayonets deep and 70-80 mm in diameter, between them should be at least 1.5 m. Then mix the fertilizer.

1 m² take the rotted humus in the beds - a bucket of dry manure, superphosphate - 200 g, calcium sulfate - 40 g. Stir everything and put it on the bottom of the pits. Place the sprouts evenly in the center of the holes and sprinkle with topsoil. In this case, it is important to sprinkle the earth in parts and periodically tug on the plant: this will create a space with loose earth, which is necessary for air to penetrate.

The artichoke is planted in a slightly different way, which will go for food:

Dig deep furrows with 1 m row spacing.
Prepare dry fertilizer as for a decorative artichoke and cover in an even layer in rows.
Relocate the seedlings, leaving 80-90 mm between the bushes.
Gently cover with top layer of earth and water.
To retain heat and moisture, the rows must be mulched - use sunflower husks or sawdust, dry straw or hay.

Important! Fresh sawdust literally sucks nitrogen out of the soil, so they must be aged for 1-2 years to become suitable for mulching.

Plant care

In order for the sprouts to grow better, it is important to maintain a constantly moist and loose soil. Then the seedlings will receive enough nutrition and oxygen for development. Water the bushes every other day for the first days. After a week, watering can be slightly reduced. After the formation of ovaries of inflorescences, watering must be further reduced.

Advice! You can plant salads or mustard in the artichoke garden. These plants loosen and fertilize the soil well, while not interfering with the growth of a tall bush.

After 10-14 days, you will need to feed the bushes, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. Add mulch to the garden bed after each watering to prevent the soil from drying out. Loosen soil constantly, especially after wetting, and remove weeds. Uncultured green neighbors often serve as a springboard for diseases and pests, and take food from a young artichoke.

Foliar feeding will not harm the bushes. Dissolve 25 g of superphosphate, 10 g of wood ash, and the same amount of manganese in a bucket of water. Mix well and spray on foliage. The solution is not only a good top dressing for the growing season, but also a good protection against pests.

To get large buds, leave 3-4 peduncles on each bush and form 4-5 baskets of inflorescences on them.

If you've planted biennial artichokes, be sure to prepare them for winter. To do this, in the north, bushes are dug up and brought into cellars with a constant temperature.In the southern regions, they simply hide: cut off the shoots at a level of 300 mm from the soil and cover the bush with earth or fallen leaves, in addition, you can lay a sheet of covering material on top.

If all the recommendations are followed, even a novice gardener will receive an excellent harvest of beautiful and juicy inflorescences. It is important to prepare the seeds and grow strong seedlings from them. You already know how to do this - all that remains is to apply the knowledge in practice.