How to grow Chinese Artichoke?
- Latin Family: Stachys
- Latin Genus: sieboldi
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Perennial
The Chinese Artichoke plant somewhat resembles Mint in appearance (it is related), but it doesn’t have aromatic foliage.
Chinese Artichoke History
This plant is grown for its small, oddly shaped tubers. These are quite popular in its native China and Japan, but are a rarity in North America. It is also grown as a crop in parts of Europe, notably France where the people know a good tasting plant when they find one. I don’t really know how it got its name. It is from China, but has nothing to do with the Artichoke (nor does it taste like it). In France it is known as Crosnes (named after the place where it was first grown) and in Japan it is called Chorogi. Probably the hardest thing about growing this vigorous and hardy crop is finding some tubers to plant.
Soil Preference
The soil should be light, but moisture retentive. The more fertile the soil, the better the harvest. It will grow well enough in fairly poor soils, but won’t be very productive.
How to care for Chinese Artichoke?
They don’t need a great deal of care, but a little attention will generally be repaid with a larger harvest.
Water
For maximum production of tubers, the soil should be kept well watered at all times.
Fertilizer
Give them a liquid feed when the tubers begin to form, to increase yield.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Chinese Artichoke prefers full sun, but will also grow in light shade.
Conditions:Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Long Season
Storage
The best place to store the tubers is in the ground. Just dig them, as you need them. If the ground freezes regularly, cover them with a thick mulch, so you can harvest after it gets cold.
Storage Req: Ground
Storage Temp: °F
Storage Length: days
Problems
No Problem
Chinese Artichoke is rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Pests
- Leafhoppers
- Squash Vine Borers
- Leafminers
- Slugs and snails
- Deer