[Linda Smith]

Has anyone out there any experience growing Artichokes? I started half a dozen plants from seed in March. The plants are still quite small but very cool- sort of a cross between Dr. Suess and Lost in Space. I have stuck them in the garden and gave them lots of room to grow. Any thoughts anyone?

I have never tried to grow Artichokes, but your discription of the plant has prompted me to put it on my list of plantings for next spring!!!!!!!!!

[Mezzaluna]

I thought I heard that artichokes like what is basically a Mediterranean climate, but with cool, misty nights. They grow in some parts of California- I thought it was Castroville- and thrive there. I dont' know if your part of North America will support them without special techniques. Try this link: http://www.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/artichgl.html I typed in "artichoke cultivation" in Google.com , and got this and many other hits. Good luck! I love mine with lemon and butter- lots of it. Mmmmmmm....

[mudbug]

Linda,

You won't see an "artichoke" from planting from seed in the first year. You won't see your first thistle in the first 12 months. Farmers usually take rooted cuttings for their new plants. So you'll have to be patient.

Here are great sources for you to browse concerning growing your own artichokes.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...okes+from+seed

[Linda Smith]

Mezzaluna and Cchiu:
Thanks for the info and the links. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Linda

[shroomgirl]

St. Louis grows artichokes at the botanical garden....I was shocked....not a real economical crop to grow here but it can grow here.

I spent 10 days in Castroville at Peharo Dunes on the beach watching otters eat shellfish on their bellies...it was the end of July and the artichokes were out, the Gilroy garlic fest was a hoot, this was 17 years ago...what a fun time...garlic ice cream....
Anyway I saw fields and fields of artichokes and the babies were very novel then...I snatch them up anytime I see them now.
The artichoke commision in Cal will send facinating recipes if you ask.

[mudbug]

..."artichoke commission".... oh yes, sounds deliscious, I'll get right on that shroomgirl!

[Linda Smith]

You will all be pleased to know that thanks to Cchiu and Mezzaluna, I now have an abundance of Artichoke data including something called "Management of Yield Using Induced or Natural Vernalization"...YIKES!

OneSock: I have read that gardeners have reported success in growing the Artichoke in the New York City area.

I also discovered that Marilyn Munroe was crowned "Miss Artichoke 1949" in Castroville CA. Can you tell that I am not getting any work done in the office today??

[ June 17, 2001: Message edited by: Linda Smith ]

[mudbug]

shroomgirl,

I tried to find info on the artichoke commision in Calif and am having a rough time (believe it or not). I did find the "Artichoke Advisory" in California. They appear to be different but I'm not sure. What do you think?

Artichoke Advisory
The problem here is that they imported the recipes (probably from mastercook) and the fractions didn't translate for the measurements of ingrediets.

Link to Artichoke Commission
Can't get in.