Growing Artichokes in Virginia
Charlie
10 years ago
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Charlie
10 years agoCharlie
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Growing Artichokes in N. VA
Comments (4)My artichoke and leek seedlings are doing well under lights. I only will plant a max of 10 artichoke plants, but I have over 20. Anyone in N. VA that wants to trade for some of my artichokes; send me an email....See MoreGrowing Artichokes in N. VA
Comments (4)I set my plants out well before last frost, as mentioned in a previous discussion. You can either plant them out when it looks like night temps will stay above freezing, or near enough that covering them at night will work. Or keep them in pots and put them out during 35+ð days and bring them in when it looks to be getting too cold at night. 200 hours isn't that long, just over a week if day and night temps are below 50, maybe 2 weeks if only getting the night temps. I second what Planatus said about vernalizing, it refers only to the plants, not the seeds. Some other info I've gleaned from my trials (and errors) growing these beauties is that the summer solistice triggers the bloom. That means getting the plants to good size before then. To do that you need to give them reasonable fertilizer early on, and remember to keep them fairly moist as spring turns into summer. That second part might be easier for you than me if you have that heavy clay. Good luck, I had about 10 chokes off of 2 plants last year! Now that reminds me I probably do need to order seeds, darn it....See MoreLooking for Artichoke Plant Enthusiasts
Comments (75)Great to see others who love the challenge and reward of growing artichokes. I have been growing artichokes in the south GA & middle TN area for the past 5 years, with some success. I've grown Green Globe, Violetta Precoce, & Imperial to ensure a crop; if attempted vernalization is not completed on other varieties. I too notice the issues with ants, however, they have never been overwhelming enough to hurt the plant. I get a decent crop, beautiful plants May-June, then once the heat/humidity/rain really sets in things go south. In GA it was so extreme the plants usually just dropped to the ground and that was it. In TN they seem to do better, however, they still suffer. The plants where they meet the ground tend to turn black and this creeps up the plant into the leaves and into some of the chokes. The chokes then seem to become distorted, however, the plant still produces. I really try not to overwater them, but from what I can tell is that these symptoms occur when the ground is really wet for a long period of time with extreme heat. Surprisingly, the Violetta Precoce seems to overcome these symptoms and look healthier when the temperatures back off. I give the plants full sun until around 3:00pm. Next year, I may try putting the plants in raised beds to get better drainage and maybe overcome. Maybe even a shade tarp allowing 70- 80% light to try and create a bit of a different microclimate. I don't know of anyone else growing locally, so I am unsure if they are experiencing the same issues. I have attempted overwintering with no success. I feel like our winters in TN are too wet and they just rot away. I trim and cover, and the next year when spring approaches, I find nothing. Even attempted overwintering cardoons and they rotted away, I pulled back the leaves and mulch and just find slimy hollow root stock. I have heard of people pulling the plants in the fall and hanging in a shed over winter, then planting again as spring approaches. Anyone else heard of this approach? Who knows, I've given up on perennial in our Southern climate. You West Coast growers are lucky, but we all have our climate challenges. Got to love growing artichokes!!!...See MoreArtichokes in Northern Virginia
Comments (6)Looks great ,Charlie! I didn't get any started this year. We moved to NC and I'm hoping they like it better here. I had good luck in AZ, although aphids were always an issue. They weren't as meaty as store bought,maybe due to soil,heat or aphids. once you get one going, it's easy to dive for more. Mine went dormant in AZ each summer and each winter....See MoreCharlie
10 years agoriver_city
10 years agoCharlie
10 years agoriver_city
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