Globe Artichoke 'Imperial Star' (Cynara scolymus) organic

Preculture indoors recommended. Germination temperature of approx. 20 °C. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil 1-2 times the thickness of the seed. In the first few weeks avoid waterlogging. Wait for vigorous young plants to develop before planting out. Artichokes need a minimum distance of 30cm and like lots of sun. Can be kept annual or perennial if the plants can be overwintered frost-free.

• Germination period: If cultivation as perennial is desired, it is recommended to start the seeds as pre-culture indoors, from the beginning of March. After 5-8 weeks and once the seedlings developed at least 3-5 leaves and went through a hardening period, they can be transferred outdoors. If an annual cultivation is preferred, the pre-culture ought to be started already in January.
• Sowing depth: 1-2cm
• Germination temperature: +20-25°C
• Spacing: In domestic gardens, artichoke plants, which take up quite a bit of room, are often positioned by themselves.
• Planting distance: 100 x 100 cm
• Location: Artichokes prefer to be sheltered from wind in sunny locations, however, permanent sunshine should be avoided
• Soil requirements: Artichokes thrive in sandy, nutrient-rich soils, preferring a warm and humid habitat, for their deep growing root system.
• Care instructions: Before transferring the young plants outdoors, it is recommended to loosen the ground and to work in nutrient-rich humus , deep enough to cater for the deep root system. At the beginning it is recommended to weed regularly, until the artichoke plants are well established. In order to develop plenty of flower buds, regular and generous watering is required. When cultivated as annual plants, it is important to choose new locations for the young plants each year (leave existing spots to rest for about 4 years) as they are not compatible with themselves.
• Harvest: Annual artichokes start to ripen from the beginning of June. Perennial artichokes mature a little later, from the beginning of July. The harvesting period tends to last 6-8weeks. It is advisable to cut the firm, closed ‘buds’ from the main shoots first and then the crops from the lateral shoots. It is possible to keep artichokes for up to two weeks in the fridge.