This plant, considered exotic, can rarely be found in cool latitudes - according to many, it grows only in warm terrain. Nevertheless, even in the northern areas you can plant an artichoke, growing out of seeds will be successful if certain rules are followed.
How to grow an artichoke from seeds?
First, let's see what is an artichoke? This plant has a decorative function and will easily supplement the exotic design of the garden. And it can also be eaten, the artichoke is very useful - its fruits contain a large amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, carbohydrates, acids and vitamins. In addition, they are very tasty. The artichoke has many varieties, differing from each other by the time of planting (from early to late), but their cultivation is approximately the same. First the seeds are germinated at home, then the finished seedlings are planted in the open ground.
When to plant an artichoke - growing out of seeds
When planting an artichoke at home, growing it from seeds may seem difficult, and for the first time it is better to take one variety, preferably from early ones. When planting an artichoke for seedlings, depends on the variety, early planting is carried out in the early days of March, but it is important to prepare seeds for 2-3 weeks.
How to grow artichoke seeds?
We will prepare the artichoke for planting in 2 weeks. For successful germination, we pour the seeds with standing water at room temperature and leave for 10-12 hours in a warm room. During this time, the seeds swell well, then we take them out, put them on a soft natural fabric, wrap it, cover it with a film to keep the moisture longer, and put it in a warm place. In five days the seeds should begin to germinate.
After that we put the package in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. This can not be called a prerequisite, but temporary cooling hardens seeds, increases their germination. The plant will be stronger and stronger, thereby the chances of flowering and fruiting increase significantly in the same year. Leave the seeds in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Artichoke - planting on the seedlings
Next, we'll figure out how to plant an artichoke seed. To begin with, prepare a suitable container - this can be a conventional plastic tray, or special containers for seedling . The best soil for artichoke is a mixture of turfy ground, humus and sifted sand. Components are well mixed and moisturized.
At the bottom of the tank we must fill the drainage so that excess moisture does not stagnate. Next, we apply a layer of soil, form pits with a depth of 1-1.5 cm at a distance of about 4 cm. Lay the seeds in pits and sprinkle with a small layer of soil, moisturize them with a spray gun. After landing, we place the container in a warm and well-lit place, the sill is ideally suited. But direct solar ones should be avoided. Cover the film or glass planted seeds are not worth it - the artichoke does not need any greenhouse conditions.
Artichoke seedlings - cultivation
It is necessary to wait only a few days for the first sprouts to appear, and in 10-12 days the first real leaf will form on the plant. Further, in order for the artichoke to grow and develop well, it is necessary to provide him with the right growing conditions. Lower the temperature to 15 ° C, provide good uniform lighting, so that the sprouts do not stretch upward. Water should be moderate, excess moisture at the stage of growth artichoke to anything.
When plants already have several leaves, they become tight in a common container, during this period it is important to make a pick , the containers for transplantation should be spacious. We fill the pots with earth, in the center we make a deepening and water. We extract the bushes of seedlings from the common container. To do this, we water the soil abundantly, then carefully extract the plants one by one and pin the tip of the central root - this is necessary in order for the rhizome to grow well.
Next, we plant the bushes in separate containers, water abundantly and place them in a warm and well-lit place. In two weeks, the artichoke seedlings, grown from seeds, need the first feeding - the infusion of the mullein , diluted in a ratio of 1:10. Another two weeks, it is necessary to feed the bushes with mineral fertilizer complexes.
During this period, the artichoke seedlings, grown from seeds of which is successful, can be started to harden. To do this, choose warm and windless days and take out the containers with seedlings for several hours to fresh air. Gradually, the artichoke stay on the street should be increased to 10 hours, sheltering from direct sunlight and rain.
Artichoke - planting and care in the open ground
The answer to the question, whether it is possible to grow artichoke in the garden, is obvious - you can! It is even able to blossom and bear fruit if you choose a good place to plant. Shaded places or plots of land located in the lowland, do not fit - the roots of the artichoke go deep, and with excess moisture may begin to rot. An ideal place for planting seedlings grown from seeds is the southern slope.
Plant plants can be planted in beds or in separate pits away from high fences and trees. The optimal time for planting an artichoke from seeds in the open ground is mid-May. After landing, the bushes should be watered abundantly, and the ground should be covered up . After adapting plants, manure should be fertilized.
Under conditions of proper planting and care, artichokes grown from seeds will blossom approximately in August-September, after which the volumes of irrigation should be substantially reduced. To understand whether the artichoke has matured, the mobility of the upper scales should be checked. If they are able to move apart, then it's time to harvest.