Artichoke Imperial Star is an organically grown artichoke variety. This variety is round, olive green with some purple sheen on the edges of the leaves. It has a very delicious and slightly sweet flavour. This improved Green Globe type produces about 6-8 flower buds. Use artichoke with some lemon as starter or luxerious snack. Imperial Star can also be eaten with a dipping sauce made with mayonaise or with a vinegraitte. This is also a very decorative garden plant with greyish green leaves. Harvest when the outher leaves are going to abate. Harvesting is possible from august on. Cut the stem with the flowerbud on it at about half the stem. Non hardy perennial.
Indoor sowing: February-April
Outdoor sowing: April-June
Sowing depth: 2-3 cm
Germination: 1½-3 weeks
Germination temp.: 15-20 °C
Plant distance: 100 cm
Planting position: sunny
Harvest period: August-October
Sow indoors from February on in individual pots 2 seeds per pot about 2-3 cm deep. Cover the seeds with sowing soil because artichokes don't need light to germinate. Put the pots in a warm room or in a propagator. Thin to 1 strong seedling when the seedlings are large enough to handle.
Transplant the seedlings in may (avoid frosts) outdoors to 1 meter apart. Artichokes need a warm sunny spot with free draining soil. Keep weed free and moist.
Sow outdoors from April on, when the day temperature is about 15 °C. Sow 3-5 cm deep and cover the seeds with sowing soil. Thin when the seedlings are about 15 cm tall to 1 meter apart.
Harvest your artichokes when the buds are large but closed. Cut of the bud with a piece of stem attached to it. Use the artichokes the same day. Wilted buds can be refreshed with cold water.
