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+--- Thread: Artichoke from seed (/showthread.php?tid=1531)
Artichoke from seed - Scarlet - 27-04-2022
I know PP started some but I was wondering if they are worth growing as a cut flower?
How many stems do you get in a year? How close do you plant. Will start from seed this month - so I'm looking at what I will be able to cut neat year.
RE: Artichoke from seed - PyreneesPlot - 27-04-2022
I get one central flower and then lots of smaller flowering side shoots. Last year's best doer (violet de provence) gave over 30 heads, but I pick small so maybe it would be less productive if you were letting them grow on?
I plant about 75cm apart, 2 rows in a 1.5m wide bed. My neighbour replants from off shoots each year but mine have always died, so I just leave the plants to get huge. I've replaced them once in 10 years, but that was because the voles eventually ate the lot
RE: Artichoke from seed - Scarlet - 28-04-2022
Thanks PP, it's the Violet de P that I have. I'm going to give them a go. I think they would look lovely in a bunch of flowers.
RE: Artichoke from seed - PyreneesPlot - 28-04-2022
The only downside I've found is they get really infested with aphids later in the spring, but I watched a market gardener blasting them off with a hose once picked so that might do it. I soak the harvested heads in very salty water before prepping and that removes the aphids.
The leaves are spectacular too, of course
RE: Artichoke from seed - Norfolk Grey - 28-04-2022
They are worth growing the only downside is the chunky stems especially on the first one.As PP said the leaves are good too and they last well in a vase and are happy to have bits torn off them so they are what you want in a vase. (Hope that makes sense)
RE: Artichoke from seed - Scarlet - 28-04-2022
The whole packet sown
Not sure I'll have the space to plant any - but I live in hope!