How to grow Chinese Artichoke

Stachys affinis

The plant is easy to grow, requiring neither staking nor earthing-up.1

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. 2

Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position. Thrives in an ordinary garden soil, preferring one that is not too heavy. It grows best in a soil that has been well fed and does not dry out in the growing season. Plants seem to withstand even water-logged conditions in the winter.2

The Chinese artichoke is occasionally cultivated for its edible tubers, they are planted out in March and harvested from October onwards(?). Although top growth is killed back by frost, the tubers are very hardy and can be left in the ground over winter to be harvested as required. It is virtually impossible to find all the tubers, there are always some left behind that will grow the following season. Plants are very tolerant of high summer temperatures.2

One should avoid planting Chinese artichoke near other plants in general, as Chinese artichoke is a vigorous grower, and may smother its neighbors given the chance. Plus, if one plants Chinese artichoke near perennials, one may risk uprooting them when one tries to harvest the tubers.

Growing Chinese artichoke from seed

Seed – sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth has been made, it is possible to plant them out during the summer, otherwise grow them on in pots for their first summer, leaving the tubers in the pots to overwinter in a cold frame and then plant out in late spring when in active growth. Seed is rarely if ever produced on plants growing in Britain.2

Division. The tubers can be harvest and replanted at any time whilst they are dormant. They do start into growth fairly early in the year so it is better to have moved them by the end of March(?).2

The tubers begin to sprout at temperatures above about 5°c. Plants take 5 – 7 months to develop their tubers.2

Transplanting Chinese artichoke

Ideally, the plant should be transplanted while in its dormant, tuber stage during Fall or Winter. The tubers should not be planted too deeply, at most, 1 to 1 and one-half inches deep.
The plants can be transplanted while during growth stages, but, transplanted plants tend not to thrive after transplanting for the rest of the growing season, unless transplanted during early Spring.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Chinese artichoke is a tender plant.

Harvesting Chinese artichoke

The tubers are ready for harvesting from early to middle autumn, usually by October, or in warmer climates, when the foliage has died. The tubers should not be dug up until one is ready to prepare them for eating immediately, or are preparing to transplant/replant them. The tubers are fairly delicate and will dry out with a few days to a week upon being dug up.

How long does Chinese artichoke take to grow?

These estimates for how long Chinese artichoke takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Chinese artichoke Etymology

The genus epithet, Stachys, means “an ear of corn/grain,” in reference to how the floral spike resembles an ear of corn or a head of wheat. The species epithet is from the Latin affinis meaning “related,” in reference to how its growth habit is very similar to the related Lamb’s Ear, S. officinalis

Chinese artichoke Folklore & Trivia

In Chinese medicine, the tubers are dried and powdered to use as a pain reliever, or pickled in rice wine or sorghum wine to help treat the common cold and influenza.
In Chinese and Japanese cuisine, the tubers are pickled in vinegar and red perilla leaves as a part of traditional New Year’s cuisine.

Other names for Chinese artichoke

Crosne, Knotroot, Artichoke betony, chorogi

Stachys sieboldii

Footnotes

1 Stachys affinis at Wikipedia

2 Stachys affinis at Plants for A future


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