Artichoke Care ~ Q & A
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Please feel free to email your questions. We can ALL learn from each other!
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Picture on the left is Ashley in my garden. I couldn't resist! She also likes to "play fetch" with the snails.
Gail,
I have had a disastrous snail infestation on my
Artichoke plants. They have eaten them down to the base in the last
week. I tried vinegar to no avail (we have dogs who have access to the
garden and sometimes eat snails) now I have found Sluggo snail bait
online that is supposed to be the solution and it is pet friendly. I
will be putting it out this evening and from now on.
Can I expect these plants to regrow now that I have
the snail infestation under control ???
Jim
San Diego, CA
Snails are EVIL!
Your artichokes should grow back as long as the snails did not devour the roots,
but feed your artichokes a big scoop of plain steer manure and water well.
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Seek and destroy snails first thing every morning.
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Picking and or beheading is best.
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Spray the underside of leaves and the area where the leaves attach to the plant with ORTHO MAX Flower and Vegetable insect spray.
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Apply Sluggo Snail Bate twice per week. If you have a Home Depot, it can be purchased there. Make sure to apply to any surrounding grassy areas, under the plant, and in the crevices of the plant where the leaves meet the plant.
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If you cannot get Sluggo, then any other pet safe bate will work… but not as well.
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Strong Vinegar-Water works for a sneak fizzle attack, but will not kill off the colony.
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Save your eggs shells from the kitchen. Crush them up and apply under your artichoke plants. It is good for the plants and snails cannot cross over the sharp edges of the shells.
GOOD LUCK! Because these are second season artichokes, I’m confident the plants will indeed recover. GAiL
Gourmet Violetta Artichokes
A smaller variety. Grows to about 4' tall and 5' wide. The artichokes are about half the size of the Green Globe, but very tasty! Beautiful deep purple color. Will post pics when they start to bloom!
Sooooooo... how do I know when my artichoke is ready to pluck and eat??? They have sprouted up and are now above rest of the plant rather than down deep in the middle of the plant... I know if I wait too long they go to flower and are PRETTY.. but not very edible...
Richard Rumble
Capistrano Beach, CA
When the bottom leaves are slightly separated from the globe, then you can pick... or when it just seems big enough to eat. That works too. GAiL
Gourmet Violetta Artichokes
The stunning color of the Violetta Artichoke never ceases to amaze me. Left to grow it will become almost as big as the green globe. Very tender and delicious too!
Gail, last year I purchased some artichokes from you. Last fall before frost I cut back & mulched & mounded with straw... When will I see some new growth this year? We have already had some 80 deg days but have reverted back to more normal upper 60s low 70s. We are in central Virginia zone 6-7... Thanks, waiting to hear back from you.
Dave
Virginia
Hi Dave
Are your artichokes in full sun? My idea is to make sure they are watered. Even though it may be hot out the ground might still be cold. You will need at least 4-6 weeks of nice warm and sunny weather before they pop up again. After that, I would try gently pushing the soil back to see if the roots rotted or if they were eaten by rodents. I am growing some new Imperial Star artichokes right now that are supposed to be the most hardy ‘chokes in the market. They are thornless and will survive both hot and cold climates. I’m happy to ship one to you for shipping cost.
GARDEN BLESSINGS, GAiL
Due to heavy wind and abundant growth my artichokes (both) have fallen over. What to do?
Thanks for your advice,
Sharon
Yikes! That happened to me too. I thought my one artichoke was a gonner because it was split about 3/4 through from breaking over. So, I gently staked up my artichoke plant and trimmed back the heavy top where the artichoke globes were growing. I watered and fertilized with steer manure really good. Then I waited. Wouldn't you know... after 3 days of intensive care it is starting to perk back up! So... even if your artichoke does not recover, don't give up. It is early in the season and it will grow a new shoot if you continue to take good care of it.
Hope this helps! GAiL
Marvin the Cat
Our cats enjoy playing under the artichoke garden. It's a great place for them to hide and play.
Hide and Seek With Ashley
Ashley doggy likes to play hide and seek in the artichoke garden. She gets sooo excited! Ashely will run out into the garden, hide behind a large plant, and then site there absolutely still will a big doggy smile on her face. Can you see her in this pic?
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