This is the most handsome of vegetables, worthy of a place in the herbaceous border for its foliage alone. Since the earliest times the flower heads, with their broad thickened scales, have been regarded as an epicurian’s food. It is perennial, native of S. Europe and North Africa, and was prized by the Romans who may have introduced it into Britain. It is botanically related to the Cardoon, but not to the Jerusalem Artichoke.
It requires a sunny situation but one sheltered from cold winds. For this reason it used to be found in the walled gardens of manor houses where it grew to perfection, undisturbed through the years.
A rich deep soil is necessary to produce the finest heads which must be succulent and tender, otherwise they make highly unpleasant eating. For the same reason, they should be cut and used befOre they become old and tough. Before planting in spring, trench the soil, incorporating whatever humus forming materials are available, together with some decayed manure. Cow manure suits this plant well but if not available, old mushroom bed compost is ideal, or seaweed (for this is a a maritime plant) augmented by 2 ounces of Kainit and 2 ounces of superphosphate per square yard. In a well manured soil the plants will remain productive for at least five years, especially if given a mulch of strawy manure each autumn. More succulent heads, however, may be obtained by renewing every 2-3 years, using the suckers or shoots produced around the crown of the old plant.
The suckers are detached with a sharp knife when about 6-8 inches high and a few roots should be removed with them. Plant them deeply, allowing 3 feet between each, for they will tread in firmly, water well and shade from sunlight until established. If the suckers are removed in autumn, it is advisable to plant them in pots and winter in a cold frame until April when they can be planted out.
The plants must be kept moist at the roots during summer and should be limited to 3 or 4 shoots. The heads will grow larger if the lateral heads are removed from the main stem. If removed when about walnut size, they may be fried whole in butter.
If it is not intended to use the main heads at once, they should be cut with a length of stem and stood in water in a cool shady room until used. In this way they will remain tender. After the heads have been removed it is advisable to cut down the main stems of several plants to Within 12 inches of soil level. The plants are then mulched and well watered when a number of new shoots will arise. When about 2 feet tall these are tied together with raffia and earthed up like celery. From mid-September to the end of October, the blanching will take place when the stems will be ready to remove and use as a vegetable. These are known as ‘chards’ and are cooked like cardoons, cutting them into 6 inch lengths and removing the outer skins before simmering until tender.
Globe artichokes are obtainable in two varieties, ‘Green’ and ‘Purple Globe’, both hearing heads up to 4 inches in diameter and both are a great delicacy when boiled until tender and served with butter. The small pointed tips should be removed from the scales before cooking .
Exhibiting It is rarely shown but whenever it is, it always commands attention. The heads should be removed when little larger than cricket ball size and if cut some days before the show, the stems should he placed in water until required. To transport, wrap each in a muslin cloth and lay flat in a deep box with the stems still attached. These are cut off at the base of the head just before arranging on the dish.
Pests and Diseases:
ARTICHOKE LEAF SPOT may occasionally attack leaves in a damp, humid summer causing grey blemishes on the leaves which then turn brown at the margins and wither, the plants dying back of 1 en to ground level. Spraying with half strength Bordeaux Mixture before the heads form will give control.
COCKCHAFER is the grubs of the common cockchafer beetle which do the most damage, feeding on the roots. The grubs are fat and dirty greyish- white in color whilst the adult beetles may feed on the leaves of the plant. Treating ‘the ground with Gammexane or Aldrin dust before planting will exterminate the pest.
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