ARTICHOKES for every climate
(Page 2 of 3)
December/January 2001
By Doreen G. Howard
Vernalization is the process of chilling seeds or crowns at temperatures between 34 degrees and 50 degrees, which causes plants to flower earlier. Perennial artichokes require 500 hours or more of vernalization. Temperate climates with long springs usually provide this naturally. But when the climate doesn't, dormant plants can be artificially chilled in the refrigerator for 500 to 600 hours if your area has a short growing season (less than 120 days) or if spring heats up fast.
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`Imperial Star' needs only 200 hours of vernalization, so you can simply chill seeds in the refrigerator for two weeks before starting your transplants. Soak them overnight in water, drain and place in a jar filled with moist sand before refrigerating. Or you can vernalize them naturally by setting your seedlings outside in a cold frame or other protected area while the temperature is in the 34-degree-to-50-degree range for a week or more. Bring them inside or protect them when temperatures dip below freezing. This natural process produces bigger artichoke bud yields. Plants and seeds that are artificially vernalized in the refrigerator will form chokes faster, but the total number of chokes per plant will be less than from naturally vernalized plants.
CULTURE
Select a planting site that is in full sun and has well-drained soil and lots of organic matter. Most ground that is heavily amended with compost and other humus will have the right acidity level. Set transplants, offsets and juvenile plants out after the soil temperature is 50 degrees or higher, and the danger of frost is gone. Make sure the soil is loosened to at least 12 inches in depth, so taproots can be positioned straight down. Space plants widely, since they will eventually grow to 5 feet in height and more than 40 inches in width. If the climate is hot, mulch plants thickly to keep the soil cool. If soil temps exceed 85 degrees, plants will go into summer dormancy, and they will not produce buds.
