Artichoke madness

[CarolineSonning]

Ok anyone any thought on this.

As NOG's suggestion in November, I cut back my Artichokes and covered them with leaves and the cut fronds.

Well I was having a look at them today to check that all the covering hadn't blown off in the winds yesterday and what do I see, but most of the plants have put on 6 to 12 inches of new growth .

Should I put on more leaves to cover the new growth or just leave them alone?

[rustylady]

Dilemma, isn't it? On balance I think I would leave them alone - if you put on more covering you will encourage the new shoots to grow even more.

As long as the crowns are protected they should re-grow in Spring even if you lose the new growth you have noticed to the winter frosts. So many plants have exhibited unusual growth patterns this year, that I think we will have to wait and see (and hope!)

[CarolineSonning]

Thanks for that RustyLady, I'll just keep my fingers crossed

[pigletwillie]

On a similar vein the cape gooseberries in one of my greenhouses were cut back and mulched as apparently they crop much better the second year being non hardy perenials.

Like you they have grown 6-12 inches and seem untouched by the frosts so far. I will be leaving them as continuously cutting them back can only weaken the plant.