Cardoon 'Porto Spineless'
Cardoon 'Porto Spineless' is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Closely related to globe artichokes, cardoon is a striking plant grown for its edible, celery-like leaf stalks; it crops well in the 1st year. Cardoon has a restricted climatic range and prefers cool, moist summers and mild winters. The large velvety grey leaves grow to 1.5m; blue, thistle-like flowers bloom in summer. The plants need to be dug and divided every 3 - 4 years. Remove flowers to avoid seed formation and any weediness.
Product: Cardoon 'Porto Spineless'
Product type: SEED ()
Botanical name: Cynara cardunculus ssp. Flavescens
Closely related to globe artichokes, cardoon is a striking plant grown for its edible, celery-like leaf stalks; it crops well in the 1st year. Cardoon has a restricted climatic range and prefers cool, moist summers and mild winters. The large velvety grey leaves grow to 1.5m; blue, thistle-like flowers bloom in summer. The plants need to be dug and divided every 3 - 4 years. Remove flowers to avoid seed formation and any weediness.
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial to 2m high
Sow when: Germinate best at 18 - 21°C soil temp.
Temperate: Spring; first soak seed for 24 hours
Subtropical: Unsuitable
Tropical: Unsuitable
Germination: 7 - 14 days
Depth: 6 mm deep, cover seed lightly
Position: Full Sun
Sow where: Sow into seed tray and transplant
Soil type: Deep, rich, well-drained, pH 6.5; compost and manures are beneficial
Details: Keep well-watered and fertilised to produce vigorous growth and to prevent stalks getting tough and bitter. Remove flower heads before seeds form to reduce risk of weediness.
Harvest: 80 - 120 days: cut leaf stalk at base and strip off leaves.