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Post by plantsnobin on Mar 15, 2008 13:22:42 GMT -5
Another one that like Jerusalem artichoke, isn't an artichoke. I ordered one from Companion Plants. Came in one of those tiny starter pots, but I just now divided and potted up 6 plants from it. The reading I have done on it says that it can be invasive and that any tiny little piece of root will grow. I can believe that based on what I saw when I unpotted that tiny plant. They are supposed to be grown in a very loose soil so that the tubers can grow unencumbered and reach a size that makes it worthwhile. I am going to plant this in the ornamental garden because it is a very attractive plant. Hope I don't regret that decision. It is Stachys tuberifera or another syn. that I can't recall right now. Looks a lot like Stachys grandiflora, which did really well for me last year.
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Post by hoosierheightsfarm on Mar 15, 2008 13:47:42 GMT -5
Sounds like dandelion, kinda.....
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Post by ottawagardener on Oct 27, 2008 22:59:14 GMT -5
I have been growing this plant and have not yet found it invasive. In fact, I wish it would invade a little bit more, and flower as those look pretty in pictures. I have harvested some of the tubers recently and they are tasty but it is not nearly productive enough yet. It's related to mint apparently. Stachys affinis
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Post by PatrickW on Oct 28, 2008 3:54:22 GMT -5
I've got this growing now too. My tubers came from Frank (orflo) this spring, probably about the same time you planted yours. I can't say much about it, because I haven't had it that long. I've heard it can be difficult to remove from your garden, but if you plant it in an isolated place it's not supposed to be that invasive. I guess it's like mint in this way.
It has a reputation of being very unproductive, but tastes good. I'm going to give it a some more garden space next year.
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Post by canadamike on Oct 28, 2008 4:02:17 GMT -5
Thanks «patrick, you just made me remember I have some in the garden from Frank too. And there is 20 cm of snow coming...
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Post by orflo on Oct 28, 2008 14:24:44 GMT -5
Over here,they are not invasive, I bought a plant 15 years ago, and now I probably have hundreds of tubers (which are eaten by mice each winter), but the plants are so small and the tubers are formed right beside the plants, so I can't call them invasive (Jerusalem artichokes or apios tuberosa are far more invasive). Remember they hate being out of the soil, they will not survive if they are kept in the open air for a while. I replace some of them each year, they build bigger tubers if they have a bit of 'new' soil, and are without the concurrence of their brothers and sisters  I have got a fairly heavy loam soil, and they thrive well over here. I've seen them in even heavier clay, in light sand,...and everywhere they just did great! Flowering is rare, and the flowers are very tiny. I have the luck to have some 'flowering' plants each year (maybe it's because they have a good sheltered place, or well, I'm just lucky ), but the flowers are hard to find. They should be able to stand quite harsh circumstances, and 20 cms of snow gives a perfect insulation!! |
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Post by ottawagardener on Oct 29, 2008 9:26:11 GMT -5
Well the snow has come <sigh> but yes good insulation. I am in sandy loam and they seem happy enough. Perhaps the picture I saw of flowering chinese artichoke was not the same variety (or even plant?). They looked like pink mint flowers. I just planted some apios... Maybe I should have put them in the same place as the Jeruselum Artichoke.  |
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Post by stevil on Nov 7, 2008 3:19:11 GMT -5
I was once told that Chorogi/ Crosnes/ Chinese Artichoke could outcompete Ground Elder (Aegopodium) but I've never got round to putting it to the test. However, I doubt it somehow. I've cultivated mine in a cold greenhouse (mainly to lengthen the season than summer heat) for many years and as long as I dig over the area thoroughly each season and remove as many tubers as I find then I stay in control. I store my tubers in a cold cellar (about 2-4C midwinter) in damp sand or leaf mould as they freeze in the greenhouse. I can't even get in to the greenhouse much of the winter as the sliding door (a mistake) freezes solid. Yes, quite a hardy plant. I see in PFAF that it's native habitat is wet and submerged areas. I can imagine it being more of a problem if let loose in a bog garden.... Finally, my family and friends are always suspicious of my salads as I often add the odd "insect larvae" www.hagepraten.no/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=1022(these joke plants were apparently used in the UK by Victorians who liked to play a practical joke) |
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Post by grungy on Nov 7, 2008 3:31:36 GMT -5
And the taste?
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Post by stevil on Nov 7, 2008 6:45:30 GMT -5
Depends on the dressing. With crushed (edible) insect juice dressing then it can be even more authentic... Chorogi has a pretty bland taste on its own, but a pleasant crispy texture. |
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Post by plantsnobin on Nov 7, 2008 7:12:41 GMT -5
Well, my plant didn't live, so I won't get to taste them this year.
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Post by orflo on Nov 7, 2008 11:29:49 GMT -5
I like the taste, I fry them in a pan for about 15 minutes, and they do taste fine, without the insect stuff . Just add a pinch of salt and pepper, and you have a good meal ...And they're a better alternative for the thing we call 'frieten' or french fried potatoes or chips or.....  ;D Plantsn., I could send you some tubers, I've got plenty |
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;D