How to grow Globe Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

Required fertile soil, well manured in the autumn before planting out. Working compost into the soil helps retain moisture. Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser monthly, once the plants are established2. Apply a liquid high-potassium fertilizer (potash) every 2 weeks during periods of active growth to encourage flower buds to form2. They like light, fertile, well-drained soil (sandy-loam). Keep moist (but not wet) throughout the growing season2. Mulch thickly, but as buds begin to form, replace the mulch with a thick (4 inch/10cm) layer of compost, extending 12 inches (30cm) out from the base2.

In cool coastal areas, budding periods may be extended3. They can withstand temperatures in excess of 30dC but choke quality is adversely affected3.

They can develop deep (up to 120cm) root systems. They tolerate a variety of soil conditions, but produce best on deep, fertile, well-drained soils3. Lighter soils that have excessive drainage and poor moisture-holding potential should be avoided.

Artichokes are moderately salt tolerant3. Manure or compost should be worked into the top 25 cm of soil before planting, along with some dolomite lime, dried, ground eggshells, or ground oyster shells for supplemental calcium3. Artichokes can handle alkaline soil conditions better than most garden vegetables.

Artichokes may be bothered by slugs, snails, aphids, artichoke plume moth (Platyptilia carduidactyla_), weevils, caterpillars, proba bug (Proba californica_), two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae_), chrysanthemum leafminer (Phytomyza syngenesiae_), field mice, gophers, powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica_), ramularia leaf spot (Ramularia cynarae_), verticilium wilt (Verticillium dahlia), botrytis rot (Botrytis cinerea), bacterial crown rot (Erwinia chrysanthemi) and black tip3.

Growing Globe artichoke from seed

Sow in pots in early spring and cover lightly with vermiculite, place under protection at 15C germination take up to 10 days with this method.
Sow in open ground when soil temperature does not fall below 7C at night. Germination take up to three weeks with this method

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 1.95 feet (60.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Globe artichoke about 48 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Globe artichoke

Plant out after all threat of frost has passed

New plants can be made by removing offsets in the spring as the plant begins into growth. Pull the shoot away from the parent plant with some of the stem/root tissue. Pot up and place in a cold frame or sheltered position until rooted well. Plant out when strong roots are seen at the bottom of the pot

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 7°C / 45°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Globe artichoke is a half hardy plant.

Harvesting Globe artichoke

Harvest before the bracts begin to spread open or before the internal pappas (fibrous central part of the bud) grows up above the top edges of the cup-shaped receptacle.3 Harvest buds while they’re tight and firm and hopefully at least 3 inches in diameter; if buds begin to open, they lose their tenderness. Fully open buds are inedible but produce striking, large, lavender flowers2. Cut a 1- to 3-inch section of stem with each bud to make it easier to handle. When you have harvested all buds on a stem, cut the stem to the ground. For large, established plants, prune the entire plant back by a third to spur a fall harvest.

Harvesting actually depends a lot on the cycle of pruning. For autumn/winter/spring harvests, plants are cut back from mid-autumn to early-winter3. For summer harvests, plants are cut back in late winter/early spring3.

The terminal or primary bud is harvested first and is the largest in size. Secondary and tertiary buds are harvested as they reach maximum size, but won’t grow as large as the top bud3.

The bracts of some seeded artichoke varieties do not spread open with increasing maturity as readily as do those of the perennial Green Globe. This makes it more difficult to know when to harvest a particular bud. Subtle differences in the colour and appearance of the buds as they mature are the only outward clues as to when to harvest3. Overmature buds have an internal pappas, turn purple inside, become bitter and woody and have less fleshy tissue that is edible. Cutting a few buds in half, from the stem to the tip of the bud, to observe the level of maturity in relation to the bud’s external colour and appearance can help a grower decide when to harvest.3

Seed Saving Globe artichoke

Seed viability is ~3 years

How long does Globe artichoke take to grow?

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

Days to Germination How long does it take Globe artichoke to germinate?
21 days

Average 21 days | Min 4 days | Max 22 days (51)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Globe artichoke?
+ 32 days

Average 32 days | Min 15 days | Max 51 days (11)

Days to Maturity How long until Globe artichoke is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 78 days

Average 78 days | Min 45 days | Max 293 days (2)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Globe artichoke?
= 131 days

When should I plant Globe artichoke?

Our when to plant Globe artichoke estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Globe artichoke before or after your last frost date.
48 days before Last Frost Date

Globe artichoke Folklore & Trivia

Cynarin, the main constituent, is thought to be beneficial in reducing cholesterol levels by stimulating bile and fat-digesting enzymes3. The plant contains significant levels of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and fibre3.
Artichoke is also a diuretic

Other names for Globe artichoke

Artichoke, Heartichoke, green artichoke

Cynara scolymus L., Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Footnotes

1 Wikipedia entry on globe artichokes

2 Growing artichokes

3 Globe artichoke fact sheet – South African Dept. of Agriculture


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