Cynara SCOLYMUS

Sowing and germination

Artichoke seeds are large, oblong, grayish-striped. Before sowing, they are soaked for 12-24 hours in warm water or in a solution of a growth stimulator: balanced plant vitamin supplement, natural plant growth stimulant, amino-acid plant fertilizer, anti-stress adaptogen solution or root development stimulant, after which it is useful to keep them for 2-3 weeks in a damp cloth at 2-5°C: such vernalization significantly increases the proportion of plants producing heads in the first year. Sowing of seedlings is carried out at the end of February or beginning of March, in separate deep pots to a depth of 2-3 cm, since the tap root does not tolerate transplantation well. The crops are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with a transparent lid or placed in a greenhouse and germinated at a temperature of 20-25°C. Shoots appear in 1-2 weeks. The crops are ventilated daily and condensation is removed.