My cardoon is flowering!

[Snadger]

Just thought someone may be intereted in what a Cardoon flower looked like!
Grown from seed, this is it's second year!

And nooooooo........these are not thistles, although closely related ,as can be seen by the piccie!

[roitelet]

They are magnificent Snadger, mine are at least 8ft high.

Did you know that the flower buds can be eaten like artichokes when young and if they are picked when the first purple fronds show they can be dried for winter decoration. That is if you like dead flowers!!!

[Seahorse]

Ah. I believe you've solved a little mystery in the Seahorse garden, Inspector Snadger! I had some artichokes (or so I thought) that flowered while I was away on holiday but they didn't look 'quite right' However, they do look just like yours and I do vaguely recall planting cardoons!

Striking, aren't they?

[TEB]

They look lovely, we have similar by accident as the packet from Wilko's said Globe Artichokes - big beast's arent they.

[Flummery]

So, young Snadge, are you boasting or complaining?
They do look very artichoke-like don't they? So, if you can eat them like artichokes, and they all look like thistles, is there an edible bit of a thistle we're all missing out on?

[Snadger]

So, young Snadge, are you boasting or complaining?
They do look very artichoke-like don't they? So, if you can eat them like artichokes, and they all look like thistles, is there an edible bit of a thistle we're all missing out on?

What a sheltered life you've lived Flum! I remember as a youngun pulling the purple petals off thistles and eatng the sweet tasting nut below! Or did I dream that?
Same with purple clover, pulling the petals out and chewing the base to get the nectar!

[basketcase]

They look great, Snadge.

What does cardoon taste like btw?

[Flummery]

What a sheltered life you've lived Flum! I remember as a youngun pulling the purple petals off thistles and eatng the sweet tasting nut below! Or did I dream that?
Same with purple clover, pulling the petals out and chewing the base to get the nectar!

Ah now, I remember doing it with the clover - till I saw the dog widdling on a patch!

[peanut]

They look lovely, we have similar by accident as the packet from Wilko's said Globe Artichokes - big beast's arent they.

Me too!!!

I got a packet of what I believed to be Globe Artichokes from Wilko and I was quite happy in my ignorance until my Mum came round and said the heads didn't look big enough to be Artichokes...I of course told her they were and how silly she was being.......looks like it's humble pie time for me as they do look just like Snadgers Cardoons!!!

[piskieinboots]

I'm a cardoon grower too - mine are nearly over now

[nick the grief]

Nahhh, defo Thistles Snadger I bet you leef beet is Docks as well THey do look good don't they. One of our old plotters grew them for windbreaks and the bees love em.

[Pamiba]

Help Please!

A friend of mine has grown her first Cardoons and is now wondering what to do next. Will they last another year? Do they have to be cut back? Do they need any special plant food? Any help at all from you knowledgeable people would be very much appreciated!