Jerusalem artichokes

[glaw5]

Hi,

I've been given some Jerusalem artichoke tubers and wondered if it's possible to plant them in pots or compost bags (in the same way as potatoes)?

Thanks a lot for any help

[Noodles]

I can't see any reason why not but bear in mind the plants grow much higher than potatoes (mine were taller than me last year and I'm by no means short!) so the pots may become a bit unstable, especially in windy weather.

[chengjing]

They grow anywhere and you dont need to lift tubers in winter, you dig them up when you need them. All you need to do just plant them in the ground. Obviously if you prefer pots that is ok, but you dont need to earth it up like for potatos.

[womble]

Put the pots next to something you can tie the plants to when they get big enough. Plants in the ground are usually blown over, in pots they would have no chance.

[Rhona]

I grew them in pots before I had any 'proper' growing space - they were fine but do get very tall. I didn't fix them to anything, but did have them in a sheltered spot.

The ones at the lottie are about 5ft tall at the moment! We can't keep up with them, as delish as they are, so if anyone's in the area, they're welcome to take all the tubers they can carry!

[Shadylane]

The ones at the lottie are about 5ft tall at the moment!

Really??? Ours - which I planted in Feb- have only just started showing their heads.

[Rhona]

Really??? Ours - which I planted in Feb- have only just started showing their heads.

Sorry - my earlier comment was a tad misleading - this a permanent patch with last year's crop in which we just leave to do it's own thing, harvesting when we need to. With a light cut down in autumn, they grow like a weed in our plot.

[Shadylane]

Oh right, that's a relief

[glaw5]

Hi, thanks a lot for all the advice. How do you know when they're ready to dig up? And do you have to cut back the growth to get at them? Or do you have to wait till that dies back? Also how many should I put in a pot of say a 10" diameter?
Thanks again.

[gojiberry]

The bigger the pot the better and don't overcrowd them as they will need room to send out roots and make more tubers. I only planted about 10 last year and there are dozens appearing this year.

Ian

[Paulottie]

I only planted about 10 last year and there are dozens appearing this year.

...and every year to come hereafter....two things to say about JA's: careful where you site them as they are tall and very difficult to get out...other is they don't half make you ....

[Mac]

Hey All,After watching the Edible Garden last night, my OH wants to start growing these. Can you plant them this late in the year to get a crop next winter? Also, are there different varieties we could try?

[Jimmy]

Hey All,After watching the Edible Garden last night, my OH wants to start growing these. Can you plant them this late in the year to get a crop next winter? Also, are there different varieties we could try?

As for varieties, the standard ones are knobbly and difficult to peal. You can get a smooth variety, look in the catalogues.

I grew them in our front border, the wife called them triffids as they grew very tall a waved around a lot in the wind. We would be watching TV and there would be a tap tap tap on the window, triffids a calling!

Don't forget there nickname is Fartychokes.

Jimmy

[maypril]

Can you plant them this late in the year to get a crop next winter? Also, are there different varieties we could try?

Yes, but you'll have to be quick because it is getting quite late now. Soak the tubers in water overnight before planting to give them a head start.

I wouldn't know about varieties. I just planted some I bought from Tesco!

[Jimmy]

Marshalls sell them but they are currently out of stock.

Their description is , quote ..

Jerusalem Artichoke Fuseau is a larger, smooth-skinned variety, easy to peel. Try roasted with pork or as a soup. Expect about 4lb/2kg per root.

Belonging to the Sunflower family, they can be grown as an informal summer screen, before harvesting the hardy roots in winter.