JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Hi there,

Is there anyone in SA that has some Jerusalem artichoke tubers that they can post to Port Elizabeth, I can't find it anywhere.

Maybe someone knows where you can obtain it from.

Thanks,

Brian Moolman.

Hi Brian

You can try Afristar - contact details here:
http://www.afristar.org.za/01_pages/09_contact/contact.asp

Read more here:
http://www.afristar.org.za/content.asp?icphid=24&icat=2

Related question:
If J-chokes don't flower, will the tubers still be okay to eat

Mine are flowering now, but since I'm in the shade they are struggling to flower.
They are huge and green, but few flowers.

I wanted to dig them up because I need to install a bed, but I'm holding out.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but it's kind of an SOS garden emergency.
best,
william

Hi William

Found this bit of info:

"To improve the quality of the harvest, cut off the flower heads when they’re buds. Harvest the tubers in 4 or 5 months, after the leaves turn yellow. It’s best to leave them in the soil and dig up as needed."

By cutting off the heads/buds/early flowers the plant will put its energy into producing really good tubers. Hope this helps?

Hi,
The info you provided is correct, but if you have a strong worm population and little humus in the soil, you''ll end up with a lot of worm eaten pieces. Which does make a lot of new tubers.
These plants like sun, the more they have the happier. Heat doesn't bother them as long as they aren't bone dry. They do need moisture in drier places.
Mine are raised at 6250' and in both set downs and raised beds. The setdowns are used to harvest water off a barn roof and driveway and at the same time keep my j-chokes very happy. Also use those setdown locations for windbreaks for other crops. Windbreak and water harvesting are important here as we are pretty dry with 12" precip or less a year.

I went ahead and whacked 'em down.

I guess if I would have waited they would have been bigger. But it's okay. They are big enough to eat, and I can get some tuber feed for next year's crop. Planning to shift the micro-plantation into heavy sun.

william

Hi Brian,
Did you get hold of Jerusalem artichokes? I am in Johannesburg and could help.
Regards
Shahn

naauwpoort wrote:
Hi Brian,
Did you get hold of Jerusalem artichokes? I am in Johannesburg and could help.
Regards
Shahn

Hi Shahn,

Yes thank you I got a few roots from the klein karoo already. Hopefully they take, failing which I would be very grateful if you could help me out. Do you know if you get different strains/cultivars of the stuff?

Thanks,

Brian.

There are named varieties, one I have read about is called Fuseau which is recommended as it is less knobbly. The ones I bought many years ago were merely labelled Jerusalem Artichoke. Mine are fairly smooth and taper at both ends -- a similar shape to sweet potato but significantly smaller.
- Shahn

naauwpoort wrote:
There are named varieties, one I have read about is called Fuseau which is recommended as it is less knobbly. The ones I bought many years ago were merely labelled Jerusalem Artichoke. Mine are fairly smooth and taper at both ends -- a similar shape to sweet potato but significantly smaller.
- Shahn

Good to know,

Thanks