Artichoke Plant Types Learn About Different Artichoke Varieties

Types of Artichoke Plants

Green Globe Artichoke – considered the original improved artichoke. ...
Big Heart Artichoke – a painless variety with no thorns. ...
Violetta Artichoke – a heavy producer of side buds. ...
Jerusalem Artichoke – also known as a sunchoke.

How many varieties of artichokes are there?

The edible part of the artichoke plant is actually its flower bud. Artichokes come in three sizes: baby, medium and jumbo. Baby artichokes weigh 2 or 3 ounces, while jumbo artichokes can weigh as much as 20 ounces. There are more than 140 artichoke varieties.

Are all artichoke varieties edible?

The different artichoke varieties each have subtly different attributes, one better for baking and one better for steaming. All varieties of artichoke are delicious and have similar nutritional value.

Which of these is a type of artichoke?

Artichoke varieties come in two primary types: large, round 'Globe' artichokes, and elongated, tapered artichokes like 'Violetta'. The plants share similar growth characteristics, soil demands, and cultural requirements.

How many artichokes do you get from one plant?

A healthy plant should produce six to nine buds per plant. The main harvest usually occurs in April and May. Select buds for their size, compactness and age. All buds of suitable size should be harvested by cutting the stem 2 to 3 inches below the base of the bud.

What is the difference between artichoke and cardoon?

Artichokes are cousins to cardoons - the closeness of the relationship betrayed by their Latin names, Cynara cardunculus and Cynara scolymus respectively - but are different in important ways for the gardener. ... Whereas cardoon flowerheads are not eaten, artichoke flowers have a fleshy heart, which is delicious.

Are there male and female artichokes?

Yes, there are male and female artichokes. You can tell the difference between them by how their leaves (or bracts) point. Male artichokes have bracts that point straight up, while female artichokes have more rounded leaves that point inward.

What part of the artichoke is poisonous?

The only part you can't eat is the hairy choke inside, and the sharp, fibrous outer portion of the leaves. The choke is not poisonous, nor is the tough part of the leaves, but it is a choking hazard, and quite aptly named.

What can I plant next to artichokes?

Artichokes love to eat up all the nitrogen from soil. If you're planting artichokes in your vegetable garden, good artichoke companion plants include peas, cabbage, sunflowers and tarragon. These plants will not compete for nutrients.

Can I plant artichokes from the grocery store?

You can even grow a mixture of different varieties of artichokes that you can't find in a grocery store. Last time I saw artichokes in the grocery store, they were on sale for 2 for $4.00.

Can you eat purple artichokes?

The small purple artichokes, which are more tender than the larger green ones, are almost entirely edible.

Are Jerusalem artichokes good for you?

Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent source of potassium and a good source of iron. Also of nutritional note is a particular fiber that Jerusalem artichoke contains in abundance, called inulin. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that balances blood sugar, and also acts as a prebiotic.

What are artichoke hearts?

The artichoke is actually the bud of a thistle—a flower. The leaves (called "bracts") cover a fuzzy center called the "choke", which sits on top of a meaty core, called the "heart". The heart is completely edible (and amazingly delicious).

Can an artichoke kill you?

It's not really deadly. The chokes of baby artichokes or Spanish and Italian artichokes are ok to eat. That's a relief. I wouldn't want my inept artichoke fileting skills to kill a dear friend.

How many years will an artichoke produce?

You can still harvest them at will, but the stately plants and textural leaves will add visual interest throughout the season. Artichoke plants should produce for about three to five years and will develop side shoots at their bases. At this time, you can lift, divide, and replant the new shoots.

Are artichokes easy to grow?

Artichokes are easy to grow in mild climates where the growing season is long and temperatures are not extreme. These artichokes are left to bloom for ornament. This is especially useful in areas where they are perennial.

Can you eat a cardoon?

Cardoon is a wild cousin to the artichoke, but unlike artichokes, the edible portion is not the flower bud. Instead cardoon-lovers primarily eat the blanched leaf stalks (though the buds are edible, too). Cardoons are gorgeous plants. ... A very striking plant indeed!

What does an artichoke look like when it blooms?

When left unpicked, the edible buds open with spectacular 6-inch purple blooms. Native to the Mediterranean, artichokes are grown for their edible buds. ... The thistle-like blooms open to 6-inches across and have almost iridescent lavender blue centers.

Are cardoons poisonous?

Cardoon is lesser-known relative of the artichoke that is considered a delicacy in Mediterranean cuisine. Like artichokes it grows into a stately and somewhat dangerous thistle-like plant, but unlike artichokes you eat the stems, not the flower buds. ... My cardoon grew well enough, but stayed small.

Do artichokes grow back every year?

Where winters are mild, you can grow globe artichokes as perennials, replacing plants every four years. In most areas, though, globe artichokes must be grown as annuals. Growing artichokes from seeds started in late winter will produce edible buds in midsummer and fall.

What does artichoke symbolize?

Artichokes are an ancient vegetable that are full of symbolism. Artichokes have a tender heart at their core which is protected by strong layers of leaves - lovely characteristics that may be interpreted in a myriad of ways! They represent hope, peace and prosperity.

What country eats the most artichokes?

With nearly X thousand tonnes, Italy became the world's leading artichoke consuming country, mixed up X% of global consumption. The other major consumers were Spain (X thousand tonnes) and Egypt (X thousand tonnes), with a share of X% and X%, respectively.