How to dig up artichoke pups
Posted in artichoke blog home, how to grow artichoke plants 08. Feb, 2012
Q: I am here in the Fremont Northern CA area. this is the 3rd year of my artichoke plant. It is planted where it receives about a more or less 3 hrs of sunlight in the morning. It is the 1st area the sunlight hits in the A.M. Is that enough sunlight? Also, from one big plant last year, now two plants came out to replace the old plant. Should those two be separated & when. It is spring like weather here in CA already.
Thank you for your info, Lourdes
A: Hi Lourdes –
When the pups are about 12” tall, soak the plants really well and then dig them up. Make sure that you dig wide around the babies and deep to prevent damage to the roots. Then pot them and place in the shade for about 1 week and water moderately for 1 week. You will probably need to stake up the plants, because they will want to flop over. The sage colored leaves will survive, but the green flat leaves will not survive. When it looks healthy enough to plant, plant the chokes in-ground in a sunny location. 6-8 hours sun per day, or full sun is best.
Garden Blessings, GAiL
