Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

Cultivation advice 

• Best sown under glass from Early spring with warmth provided.  Germination temperature is 21C-26C in a heated propagator. After germination is completed the min soil temp need to be 16c.
• Sow in well drained compost with added grit and barely cover seed. Germination 14-30 days.
• Transplant seedlings to their own post when large enough to handle as these develop quickly with a strong root system
• Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 1.5m spacing.
• Once planted out keep moist and mulch if possible.
• Once the main flower has finished, cut and this will encourage further shoots.
• After the first frost, cut down all the stems and cover the crown with straw or wood chip to protect over winter.