How to grow Cardoon?
- Latin Family: Asteraceae
- Latin Genus: Cynara
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Perennial
It has spinier leaves and a non-edible flower head but the stalks are harvested like celery and cooked. The leaves are bitter and should be removed.
Videos
Cardoon History
Cultivated for at least 3,000 years! Also known as Cardoni by the Italians, the Cardoon is the ancestor of the globe artichoke. Cardoons have been popular in Europe since ancient Rome.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 7.5
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 6.5
Cardoons prefer deep, rich, well-drained, sandy soil. Drainage is particularly important in cold climates because if the roots stay wet for long periods during the winter they may rot.
How to care for Cardoon?
True to its Thistle nature, the Cardoon is a vigorous and robust plant that needs little attention once established. Its only real weakness is its minimal tolerance to cold.
Water
Though relatively drought tolerant, Cardoons yield better if the soil is kept evenly moist.
Fertilizer
Cardoons are most productive when grown without any check in their growth, which means they must get all the nutrients they need. They are usually fed annually with a mulch of [compost] or aged manure. You can also use an occasional foliar feed of [compost tea] or [liquid kelp].
Seeds
Seed Viability: 4 - 5 years
Germination Percentage: 70.0
Saving Cardoon seed is pretty easy, but it is rarely done because plants are normally propagated vegetatively. If the flowers are allowed to mature, seed is produced readily, as one flower can pollinate another on the same plant (though not itself). It sometimes self-sows itself vigorously and can become a pest. Collect seed from the spent flower heads.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Cardoons are native to the Mediterranean and need full sun for best growth, although they do not mind fog.
Conditions:Cool, Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Cardoons will last in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks if stored in a paper or plastic bag.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 7-14 days
Problems
Cardoon Types
- Cardoon
Also known as Cardoni by the Italians, the Cardoon is the ancestor of the globe artichoke. It has spinier leaves and a non-edible flower head but the stalks are harvested like celery and cooked. The leaves are bitter and should be removed.
Pests
- Leafhoppers
- Aphids
- Leafminers
- Slugs and snails
- Deer
Diseases
- Damping Off
- Root Rot
