How to grow Jerusalem Artichoke?
- Latin Family: Asteraceae
- Latin Genus: Helianthus
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Perennial
This tall perennial Sunflower produces edible tuberous roots. It is the only common (if you could call it that) vegetable crop that is native to North America. It is hardy, easily grown and very productive, though not particularly nutritious. However, the plant is better adapted to the northern two-thirds of the country rather than the southern third. Often used for pickling purposes. Fresh tuber tastes like a water chestnut and is used in salads. Tubers can also be cooked like potatoes. The edible portion is the tuber or swollen end of an underground stem, which in some respects resembles a potato.
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Jerusalem Artichoke History
Jerusalem Artichokes, or Sunchokes, are native to North America. In fact, Native Americans used them as food prior to the arrival of European settlers. Sunchokes were brought from the Americas to France in 1605 by Chaplain, an explorer. The sunchoke became a staple food for the North American pilgrims. The reason for the name "Jerusalem Artichoke" has many explanations.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 4.5 - 8.2
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 6.5
Jerusalem Artichoke, or Sunchokes, will do well on almost any soil, but it is more productive in a moist, rich, fertile one. Yields are poor on heavy clays, and particularly if there is waterlogging. Although the plant adapts well to a wide range of soil types and pH levels (4.5 - 8.2), Sunchokes produce more in slightly alkaline soils.
How to care for Jerusalem Artichoke?
Once these plants are established you don’t need to pay much attention to them. They are native wild plants and can take care of themselves. Just be sure to keep them in check, or they will slowly start to spread.
Water
These plants are somewhat drought tolerant, but won't produce very well if the soil is dry. In very dry climates they will need regular irrigation. For higher yields keep the soil evenly moist at all times. You can mulch to conserve water.
Fertilizer
Jerusalem Artichokes do better when given a well balanced feed of nutrients. Adding compost will do the trick.
Seeds
Seed Viability:
They don't produce seed, but it's easy to save the tubers. You can also just leave some in the ground and they will sprout again next fall.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Full sun.
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
You can store Jerusalem Artichokes in a plastic bag in the fridge for 1 to 3 weeks. When the tubers are stored for any length of time, the inulin slowly turns into sugar, so they become sweeter and more digestible.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-21 days
It is possible to store Jerusalem Artichokes for up to 6 months in a root cellar at 32° to 40°F and 90% humidity. Put the roots in a clean garbage can, or a wooden box. Make alternate layers of damp sand (or sawdust or peat moss) and sunchokes. Make sure the roots don’t touch each other, or they may rot. When the tubers are stored for any length of time, the inulin slowly turns into sugar, so they become sweeter and more digestible.
Storage Req: Cold, Moist
Storage Temp: 32-40°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Sunchokes can be pickled and canned. Pickling it in a solution of herbs and spices gives it great flavor.
Storage Req: Canning
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 1-90 days
The best place to store these hardy tubers is in the ground. If the ground freezes, cover them with a thick mulch so digging will be easier. When the tubers are stored for any length of time, the inulin slowly turns into sugar, so they become sweeter and more digestible.
Storage Req: Ground
Storage Temp: 32-50°F
Storage Length: 1-30 days
Problems
Self-Propagation
The Jerusalem Artichoke is native and is a survivor. It can naturalize and is fairly persistent because it's easy to miss some tubers. The only problem you'll have is containing it! If some tubers start to sprout, just dig them up.
Jerusalem Artichoke Types
- Jerusalem Artichoke
Part of the sunflower family, the Jerusalem Artichoke is a perennial herb that is native to North America and goes by many names, such as, Sunchoke, Sunroot, Lambchoke, Topinambur, Girasol, Girasole, or Gerasole.
Pests
- Slugs and snails
- Gophers
Diseases
- White Mold
- Bacterial Blight
- Rust
- Downy Mildew
- Bacterial Stem Rot, Bacterial Root Rot, Bacterial Soft Rot
