I'm in need of some help here, having never grown artichokes before. I started sprouting some artichoke seeds (Imperial Star) about 2 weeks ago (paper towel inside of a ziploc bag). Once the seeds sprouted, I put them into seed starting mix, each seed into a 2" pot, and put them under grow lights. Here it is, about a week later and the sprouts have not progressed at all. No cotyledons, no additional growth. Does anyone have any experience growing artichokes from seed? Should I start over with new seeds? Any advice is appreciated.
Growing artichokes from seed
I have started artichokes from seed. From the same packet of seed I had one batch with poor germination and one batch with good germination. So I think they are a little harder to get going than say... tomatoes. At this point, if they haven't poked out, I would certainly start another batch. You know the seed is viable since it sprouted in a paper towel. The first time I started artichokes, I had bad germination starting them directly in the seed starting mix, the second time, I started them in a paper towel first and had good germination. Is it possible that they were in the paper towel a little long? I wouldn't wait to get them into seed starting mix once they sprout. Also, what temperature is your seed starting set up area? Another thing, when I sprouted seeds in the paper towel, I put the entire sprout under the seed starting mix and let them find their way out into the air. Just wondering since you said no cotyledons have appeared, has anything popped up? How deep did you plant them?
Jen--thanks for your reply. I actually had found an earlier thread where you posted your detailed instructions, and was trying to follow it closely. That is what actually inspired me to try growing them. Looks like I will need to start a new batch of seeds this weekend.
I planted into the seed starting mix with sprout level with the top of the soil--perhaps they needed to be deeper. My seed starting area is room temperature--do they need warmer temps like eggplant or peppers, or do they prefer cooler?
I think room temperature should be fine. I think I may have used a heating mat in the beginning. Once they emerge from the seed starting mix, I would stop that. I start most of my seeds in the warm, room temp. part of the house. Once they sprout, I have to put them in the basement under the fluorescent lights and it's only in the 60's down there, but with the lights on, it's about 70-72 degrees directly under the lights.
I'm glad you're trying artichokes. I'm taking this year off, I think. But reading your thread now makes me wonder about that decision. I let some go to flower last year and they look really cool. The bees love it and I got some great bee video one day.
So you saw the other thread and all about the chill hours that are required for flowering, right?
I think my temperature is ok--our basement is warm, probably 72 or so, plus whatever heat from the growlights. I did read your instructions about the chilling, etc. In fact, I printed it out and have it posted on my refrigerator, so I can follow it step by step!
If I can get some new seeds to sprout, I'll try planting in the seed starting mixture a little deeper. Would it be helpful to put the ziplock baggie with the seeds on the heatmat while trying to sprout them? Once they are sprouted and in seed starting mix, should I keep those pots on the heat mat?Thanks again for all of your help. I really hope I can get this to work.
This message was edited Feb 27, 2009 9:41 PM
No, I don't think you need the heat mat if you were able to get those first seeds to sprout, they will sprout again at room temperature. Also, I wouldn't advise putting seeds that are in a paper towel and ziplock directly on the heat mat. It's way too hot, at least mine is anyway. I think I may have put my potted sprouted seeds over the heat mat, but my seedling area is cool. I don't think it's necessary. And once it emerges from the seed starting mix, no bottom heat is needed.
I just reread what little info I have on artichoke seed starting and it says you want the temperature to be between 70-80 degrees. So I would check the temperature with a thermometer in the room you're starting your artichoke seeds, just to be sure. It may be a little too cool for those first ones you sprouted.
Thanks, Jen. As I type, my husband is putting a thermometer downstairs to check the temperature in our basement where I'm doing my seed starting. I'm pretty sure it'll be ok, but it's good to check. I have some additional seeds germinating on my kitchen counter today. Hopefully this second batch will do better than the first. This may be one of these things that turns out to be not worth all of the effort, but I'm too stubborn to give up LOL!
Just a thought... the room temp might be different from the surface that your seeds are sitting on. If it is cooler, it will draw the cooler temperature into the starter mix.
just thought i woujld add my experience with growing artichokes to your discussion. last year, for the first time i tried to grow inmperial star artichokes. i got 3 beautiful plants but not one single artichoke. i started them from seeds and i thought i hit the gold mine when they grew so green and tall. was i in for a surprise. LOL
according to information i received from other DG growers and from the internet it seems that they seeds have to be kept in two different heat areas. for 8 hours a dfay they need temps of 80 degrees and for 16 hours a day they need temps in the 60's. also, when you get ready to harden them off they need 250 hours of temps about 50 degrees. i did all that and still did not get anyh fruit so i have given up on them.
hope you do better than i did.
My room temperature where I've got my seeds is 72.5, and under the grow lights is 77.5. I appreciate everyone's tips and suggestions. I know artichokes can be a little fussy to grow--read all of the information on the cool temps, etc. Right now, I just have to get past the challenge of getting the seedlings started.
Herbie--that must have been so frustrating to have such beautiful plants that didn't bear any fruit. At least I'll have some interesting looking plants in my garden (if I can get past this seed sprouting stage).
I grew artichokes from seed last year, and one thing I noticed is that they liked it pretty warm to sprout. I had them down in my basement with 55F air and a propagation mat, but they did not sprout. I moved them up into my bathroom, which is overheated, and they sprouted well there. I did get chokes the first year, but they were small, so left them on. They are supposed to be able to winter over where I am. I will start more this year, though, as I only have three going right now.
good luck to you and i would like to see some pictures when you get them. a DG'er from i believe connecuit (sp) told me how to grown them and he had pictures of beautiful fruits growing all over the place.
Finally--success!! My seedlings that I have started almost 3 weeks ago finally have sent up some cotyledons. 5 of the 6 seeds I sprouted are up now, and none appear to be the white/albino seeds. As a precaution, I started sprouting some new seeds last weekend--so far, they are really slow at taking off. Hope the original 5 continue to grow. Any advice on how large they should be before transplanting them into larger containters?