Jerusalem Artichokes

[Florence Fennel]

I grew Jerusalem artichokes for the first time last year. I expected huge flowers, but they were small and very few (although they grew to about 5 feet high). When I harvested them the resulting artichokes were small and spindly. Was it a bad year for them in general does anyone know?

[Flummery]

It wasn't a good year for much last year was it? I find they need a fair bit of water (if it isn't already piddling down!) towards Autumn. Mine also grow over 5 ft tall although the flowers are never massive. Water when they're swelling up and a good mulching of something composty should help. Good luck with them. I love artichoke soup!

[Snadger]

Mine grew about 8 foot high but I didn't see any flowers! I've just re-planted some of the chokes down the centre of where my butter bean poles are. They weren't a bad size (size of tennis ball) (But I STILL ain't tasted any!)

[Alice]

I don't know why you expected huge flowers on your JA's Florence Fennel. They do kind of sun flower blooms (same family) but not as showy. It doesn't matter if you remove them altogether or cut the plants down to the height you want them to be.
Mine did well this year - but not as big as Snadgers tennis balls.
I love them roasted, the skins are the best bit. Mmmmm!

[snohare]

Mine grew to about ten feet tall before I cut back the foliage, didn't see any flowers but certainly got a good crop off them, they kept me going for months !
( We specialise in watering weather here in Aberdeen, y'see. )

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks for that everyone, I'll be a bit more confident this year. I did neglect them with the water Flummery - they're up the top of the garden out of the way. I'll wander up there more often this time.

[Lottieval]

Hi Flummery, does artichoke soup have the same effect on the digestive system as when roasted or boiled. My JA's were huge last year but they are definitely wind makers and I'd more or less decided not to bother this year although I do like the taste of them. I usually roast with the rest of the veg.

[Flummery]

The soup's just the same! I'm prepared to put up with it though! I think you can build up an immunity. It's the inulin that doesn't break down too well I believe. They're great roasted too.

[shirlthegirl43]

I planted JA's last year (a bit late in the year I think) and didn't harvest as I thought they would benefit from being left alone. This year they are growing great guns - around 4-5 foot now. I am using them as a screen for a giant 'compost' heap at the back of the garden and wondered if I need to be very concerned about weeding the area? Also, when is the right time to harvest the tubers?

[Florence Fennel]

Hi Shirl, I have not neglected the watering this year and the JAs are looking really healthy so I'm hoping for bigger ones (if yer gunner ave one ave a big un) this time. I think I harvested mine from November last year.

[Two_Sheds]

I never water my JA's (hate them - planted them back in 05, and still weeding them out)

Huge roots, tall plants ... I like them best for their flowers (like small sunflowers).

I planted them as an edible windbreak, but they were useless, not being tall enough during the windy season (May) to be any good, and then falling over in the merest puff of autumn wind. Taste horrid too, and spread like mad.

[indigox]

I
I planted them as an edible windbreak, but they were useless, not being tall enough during the windy season (May)

Edible windbreak -rofl!
We had the windy season in the autumn, just after we ate them!

Ours made a huge crop last year, size of tennis balls, and packed so tightly together, I think we had 7 or 8 kilos off each plant -way too many to eat!

I had put it down to all them loving the wet weather, but I guess not everyone had the same experience.

I don't think we will get so many this year because a deer has been regularly nibbling off all the leaves.

[shirlthegirl43]

When do they flower?

[Florence Fennel]

If I remember rightly Shirl the few that did producer flowers did so about end of July/August time. I've been watering them regularly this time and they've had a real soaking this week from the storms. They really look a lot healthier than last year, so hoping for some decent sized tubers. They're a bit fiddly to roast when they're little. I'm hoping to deep fry some artichoke "chips" this winter.

[NOG]

If they flower it will be late in the year.....once they are in the ground you will never get the out.