Description
Supplied: Two rhizomes for planting.
It’s a sunflower above soil and an edible tuber beneath!
Description
A staple food from the Americas, these plants grow vigorously through the warmer seasons, generally growing actively from Djilba (starting in August) to Djeran (April / May). During the cooler parts of the year, the tuberous rhizomes (underground stems) remain dormant.
During the vegetative stage of their growth, Jerusalem Artichokes produce multiple bright yellow flowers on stalks that can reach 5 meters in height. Tubers are not produced until the top of the plant begins to die down. One plat can easily produce kilograms of tubers, which can be harvested once the plant dies back in Winter. Bright yellow flowers attract beneficial insects and hollow dead stalks can be used as garden stakes, but are also long and thin enough to make effective bee hotels for native bees.
Care
Jerusalem artichokes love the heat but are relatively shallow – rooted and don’t enjoy drying out. Chose a sunny position where the plant can be watered through Summer. Young shoots are very vigorous so a thick layer of mulch will not deter them from shooting up as soon as the soil is warm enough. Tolerant of most soil conditions however will produce larger and smoother tubers in a well draining soil with plenty of organic matter incorporated. Plant the tuber 10 – 20 cm under the soil level and wait for the magic to happen. This plant can be interplanted with vining plants such as beans or cucumbers which will use the stalks as a trellis.
