Flowering scorzonera

[jackyspratty]

We planted a row of scorzonera at the lotty to try and a few are flowering. Its very pretty but should i cut them off/down? Not grown it before but am assuming energy is diverted away from the root when it flowers?

All advise welcome, thanks peeps

[BeatTheSeasons]

I have an old book with quite a long section about growing salsify and scorzonera. It says that both plants are "prone to bolting" - which suggests that flowering is not a good thing. Apparently this happens due to prolonged dry periods.

I'm thinking about growing some of these plants next year to see if they really taste of oysters! Could you post some photos when you harvest your crop?

Are you planning to leave some in the ground over winter for the spring shoots?

[Two_Sheds]

scorzonera ... should i cut them off/down?

If you don't, they'll come up everywhere next year (mine have)

[jackyspratty]

I have an old book with quite a long section about growing salsify and scorzonera. It says that both plants are "prone to bolting" - which suggests that flowering is not a good thing. Apparently this happens due to prolonged dry periods.

I'm thinking about growing some of these plants next year to see if they really taste of oysters! Could you post some photos when you harvest your crop?

Are you planning to leave some in the ground over winter for the spring shoots?

I didnt know you could leave them over winter to have the shoots in spring! Can you eat the roots then aswell or just the shoots?
Will be more han happy to post some pictures, but you have to be warned I am not what you would call a successful grower!

As for bolting in a dry period thats a laugh, its been rain rain rain here!! I was a bit surprised to see the pretty yellow flowers!

If you don't, they'll come up everywhere next year (mine have)

Thanks TS, I didnt know they were prone to self seeding? I should get there and cut them down. How far do you think I should cut them, just deadhead them or a little further down?

[Two_Sheds]

are you going to eat the roots Donna?

[BeatTheSeasons]

In my old book it suggests eating the roots from most plants but leaving a few to sprout in spring. So I guess it's either/or. It says the shoots taste like asparagus.

Have you tried that, 2Sheds?

[Snadger]

I grow salsify just for its flowers. Never got round to actually eating it!

[Two_Sheds]

It says the shoots taste like asparagus?

I don't like sparrow grass
So no.

I don't like scorzonera either: very so-so in taste, and a bogger to prepare (sticky latex sap)

[jackyspratty]

are you going to eat the roots Donna?

That was the plan, did a bed of parsnips, salsify and scorzonera. Best germinator was salsify by far. Scorzonera did ok but have dine both of the latter on a trial basis tosee if we like them.

In my old book it suggests eating the roots from most plants but leaving a few to sprout in spring. So I guess it's either/or. It says the shoots taste like asparagus.

Have you tried that, 2Sheds?

Ive never tried an oyster to be honest so I wont be able to compare Im afraid! I do and have tried asparagus so will let you know on that front. However its our first year with asparagus so didnt harvest this year.But this sounds like a good idea to do a bit of both. i like veg that is multifunctional!

I grow salsify just for its flowers. Never got round to actually eating it!

Thery are lovely arent't they snadger!

Ill defo document the results, but feedback on taste willbe purely subjective with nothing to compare it too!!!

Thanks everyone for your input, really helpful as usual.

[zazen999]

i keep forgetting to sow mine.

Perhaps next year.

[BeatTheSeasons]

But this sounds like a good idea to do a bit of both. i like veg that is multifunctional!

I think you're meant to "blanch" the shoots in spring (earth them up when they start appearing to make them longer)