I'm experimenting with trying to grow artichokes here in the zone2/3 prairies. I know I have to start them 12 weeks ahead of planting, and that's what I'm planning on doing very soon. However, I've heard that transplanting seedlings can be tricky, so I'm trying to decide what to plant my seeds in now. I could buy the pre-made seedling pots at the store (and then transplant them up a size when needed??), or fill 3" containers with seedling soil and plant there. I'll be using grow lights cuz we don't get enough sun yet. Has anyone had success with starting artichokes in either system? I don't know how big they'll get by May, so I don't know if I can just leave them in the seedling pot or if I should plant them in a bigger pot to begin with? Thanks for the help! Any other artichoke advice would be great!
Well, I've potted the surviving seedlings into 3" peat pots that are now boasting ~2 true leaves each. It's been an uphill road for them, between being picked by a toddler and the less-than-ideal growing conditions on top of my fridge. Does anyone have any help on how late I should set them out into the garden? I know that artichokes like warm weather, which we don't get reliably here til mid-May; I don't want them to get too spindly in the meantime either. Would love help of any kind.
http://Artichoke.notlong.com 16 April 2007. Artichoke Plants ( Green Globe) started 8 March 2007 under lights and on a heating mat. This is my first year with this plant. The seeds were placed in a fibre pot surrounded with soil and put in a plastic pot. The fibre pot inside keeps the roots contained, and facilitates transplanting when the time arrives. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV011 Information about the Artichoke. http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html