Sowing

• Choose a container which is of 24 inches size (ensure that pot is having drain holes at the bottom)
• Fill the pot with the organic potting mix soil and sow the seeds.The Organic Veggie mix is the most ideal substrate for growing vegetables.
• Ideal planting mixture for the Artichoke is 2 part garden soil and 1 part organic manure OR 1 part garden soil, 1 part coco-peat and 1 part vermicompost.
• Moisten the soil by spraying water everyday to pot for the first 3-4 weeks.
• Take a seedling tray with medium sized cells and drainage holes at the bottom.
• Fill these cells/cup with moist coco-peat. Make a small hole in the cocopeat and sow 2-3 seeds per cell/cup. Cover it with moist coco-peat (1-2 cm layer).
• Keep this seedling tray indoors. Spray 2 tablespoons of water everyday on this tray for the first week. Alternately, you can also place this seedling tray in another tray full of water for half an hour so that the seed cells absorb via drainage holes.
• After about 21-25 days, your seedlings will be ready to be transplanted in container pots or raised beds. At the time of transplanting, plant these seedlings minimum 3 feet (120cm x 120cm) apart.
• When transplanting, you will have to choose a container at least 24 inches deep (transplant only one healthy seedling in each pot as the plant can get quite big, and its root system is quite large)
• Keep in mind to transplant the seedling along with the root ball of a medium, without disturbing the roots. The Organic Veggie mix is the most ideal substrate for growing vegetables. Ideal planting mixture for the Artichoke is 2 part garden soil; 1 part organic manure OR 1 part garden soil, 1 part coco-peat & 1 part vermicompost.
• Provide it with an inch (2.5 cm.) of water per week depending upon weather conditions. A good layer of mulch will help to conserve moisture.
• Artichokes grow best in full sun. They can tolerate some shade, but the flower buds will suffer somewhat.

Caring

• Artichoke thrives in full sunlight in winters. So place your containers accordingly.
• Do not let the medium dry out. Water your Artichoke plant every alternate day in winters. Make sure your plant gets water in the form of an even shower and not by a single flow. For this use a watering can. You can also use a drip irrigation system to water your raised beds. Remember to avoid overwatering your plant.
• Before transplanting seedling in the raised bed, add a quality organic manure to the soil in 2:1 ratio. You can use Cow manure or Vermicompost.
• Every 15 days apply a balanced liquid fertiliser or handful of Vermicompost to your plant after transplantation.
• Keep an eye out for early signs of insects/fungal infection or any other infections. Spray appropriate medicines as soon as you notice the first signs of an infection. Watch out for snails and slugs.
• If you are planning to grow Artichoke microgreens, grow it indoors in a flat container. While sowing, scatter the seeds in a crowded manner. Your microgreens will be ready for harvest in 20 days.

Common Problems

1. Why are my artichokes dying?
Sometimes your healthy plant could be dying because it is infected by disease.Check your artichoke for yellowing, along the ribs and veins of the plant and the production of smaller buds. Grow artichokes in a sunny site with lightweight, fast draining soil. Avoid overwatering and keep the bed weeded. Remove and destroy affected plants to limit the spread of the disease.

2. Why do artichokes not bloom?
Perennial artichokes require a dormant period each year to trigger a new round of flowering the following year; this usually comes in the cool of winter. Do not water or feed plants during the dormant time. About 4 months later, dress the plants with compost and begin watering again; foliage will re-sprout and plants will produce new flower buds. Annual artichokes do not require a long dormant period to promote flowering.

3. How do I keep aphid off my artichoke?
Artichokes are susceptible to aphids causing the damage. Aphids are tiny, green, soft-bodied insects that suck juices from leaves, stems and flower buds. Spray the plant with Neem oil (Mix 5-7 ml Neem oil in 1 lit water)

4. Why are edible leaf bracts tough and leathery?
Summer heat can cause buds to open and leave the tissue tough. Harvest buds when they are closed tight and before they have started to open.