Emerald F1

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiosperms

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Cynara

Species

scolymus

Description

A polyennial herbaceous plant used both in agribusiness, for its flower receptacle and bracts, and in phytotherapy as well as, for some varieties, for ornamental purposes. Erect in habit, its semi-woody stems reach up to 1 metre in height and are topped by the typical flower head inflorescence, which is popular with useful insects such as bees, bumblebees and butterflies. It is moderately hardy and prefers full sun, sheltered from the wind, and well-drained, medium-textured soil.

Variety description

Emerald is an early cycle f1 hybrid for both fresh consumption and industrial processing (due to the absence of anthocyanins). It is a thornless variety with a round-globose flower with green bracts and an attractive flavour. A very hardy plant that adapts to different climatic environments. Cultivation can be annual or even polyennial. Excellent productivity of both main and secondary flower heads.

Curiosities and special features

The artichoke flower is widely appreciated in Italian cuisine, finding a primary role in the preparation of numerous dishes such as the famous Roman style artichokes but also in omelettes, velvety soups or eaten as cooked or, for some varieties, raw in mixed salads.

The leaves of the plant are often used in herbal medicine for the preparation of mother tinctures and decoctions with a depurative action.

Origin and distribution

The wild ancestor species of today's cultivated varieties is the wild cardoon, a native of the Mediterranean basin, already used by the Etruscans, to whom its domestication is attributed, and in ancient Greece for alimentary and therapeutic purposes.

Flower size

The single flower is average in size when compared to other varieties of the same botanical species.

Leaf

Leaf has bipinnate lamina.

Fruit

The flower is round in shape and seedless, with a solid consistency and weighing between 120 and 300 g. The colouring is two-tone, while the skin is not edible. From a sensory point of view, the flavour combines bitter, herbaceous and sweet notes, with a strong aroma and a pronounced fragrance giving the product an equally strong taste. The variety is characterised by good organoleptic characteristics and an overall good quality appearance.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to mid-summer for a duration of 40 to 60 days from late winter to early summer for a duration of 30 to 40 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of many Species belonging to the botanical family of the Compositae.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies between 0.7 and 1 m; for the size it has reached, it needs space to develop properly.

Lifespan

A polyannual plant that, with the correct cultivation practices, guarantees good continuity of production over time.

Where to plant

In view of its size, it can be cultivated in open fields, flower beds.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, semi-woody, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a tubular corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized flower head inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to mid-summer and from late winter to early summer, with a flowering period of between 40 and 60 days and between 30 and 40 days. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

The variety shows determined growth to a specific final size.

Plant habit

The bearing is typically erect.

Branching

Branching is abundant with a good final production level.

PH

The ideal growing soil for the artichoke plant has a pH value in a wide range, between 6.4 and 8.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, dig the soil about 20/30 cm deep, eliminating any weeds and residues of previous crops, then fertilise the soil and, with the help of a hoe, break up the more compact clods, ensuring that the fertiliser is evenly buried. In order to obtain correct drainage of excess water, thus avoiding harmful water stagnation, proceed by creating a raised bed of 15/20 cm by slightly bouldering the soil, then carefully level the surface using a rake, preparing the postarelle for planting.

During the cultivation cycle move the first 2/3 cm of soil by removing weeds adjacent to the crop with a hoe.

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Sun exposure

In order to obtain an adequate vegetative development followed by a suitable production level, grow the plant in areas sheltered from the wind with an east/south-east exposure, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C; it grows best in temperate climates with cool summers and mild winters.

Use

The variety finds multiple options of use in different contexts such as:

Agribusiness Floral compositions: dried and fresh flowers Officinal / phytotherapeutic field

Hardiness

The variety has a medium to high rusticity. By performing the correct cultivation care and providing the plant with a suitable exposure to sunlight, good production results in terms of quality and quantity will be achieved.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured, fresh, deep and well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It is very important that there is no excess salinity in the soil so as not to compromise the growth of the seedling in the moments following transplanting.

Difficulty

Artichoke cultivation is fairly easy, requiring a low level of management effort.

Growing tips

Here are some variety-specific measures to help achieve the best production performance:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Exposure to direct light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Intercropping/combination

Depending on the variety grown, intercropping with basil, chard, watercress, onion, lettuce and radish is recommended.

Planting

As the variety is characterised by its considerable size, it requires a lot of space to develop, so we recommend an average density of one plant per square metre when transplanting; when planting, we also recommend positioning the plant on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and irrigating immediately afterwards, avoiding stagnation and root asphyxia. Depending on the time of transplanting, there will be a greater or lesser production in the following year. More specifically, if transplanting is carried out in September, the final production will be of excellent quality and quantity, while if transplanting is postponed until the end of October, there will be a smaller quantity of final product.

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Pruning

From mid-autumn to the end of winter, the shoots at the base of the stem are removed; in detail, the best developed thistle is identified and retained while all others are removed using a sharp knife that runs along the stem without compromising the chosen thistle that will give rise to the productive plant.

Propagation

Reproduction occurs from seed, rhizomes or from ovules (buds); multiplication by micropropagation is of considerable interest.

Repotting

It does not require potting.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal sub-alkaline pH, intervening manually or by drip irrigation, sprinkling, sub-irrigation or furrow irrigation, i.e. distributing the water in channels made between the rows. During transplanting, assist the plant that may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, maintaining constant soil moisture without exceeding the quantities applied and avoiding both water stagnation and dryness. Then allow the soil to dry slightly between one watering and the next but avoiding drying out, also do not water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon/evening to prevent the spread of phytopathologies; water after harvesting. With reference to the artichoke, given also the important size of the plant, it is important to irrigate with a certain regularity, particularly in the hottest periods, preventing possible stagnation. If a drip line is installed, it should be placed at least 10 to 15 cm from the main stem to prevent the development of diseases of the collar and root system.

If sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate and, after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

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Fertilising

In the pre-transplant soil preparation phase, a basic fertilisation with organo-mineral fertiliser is recommended. During the vegetative phase, apply water-soluble fertiliser specifically for the vegetable garden to the soil, diluting it in the irrigation water at a suitable frequency and dosage, so that the plant does not suffer any deficiencies.

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Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity to pets not known; consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

Edible flower.

Toxicity for humans

Artichoke blossom is not toxic if well stored and prepared and if ingested in suitable quantities; however, consider the specific case.

Tip

Transplant the seedling, the cardoon or the ovule, on a raised bed. At the time of transplanting, the roots must have enveloped the soil loaf and appear pale, white and not necrotic. The cardoon must have at least one viable rootlet. The health of the plant must be constantly monitored so that the most suitable technique and products can be used at the right time. In particular, the plant is susceptible to frequent attacks by the Savi's vole (Microtus savi). In the latter case, action must be taken very promptly with poisoned grain baits. These should be inserted into holes in the soil made by the voles and then the hole sealed with earth. In any case, aphid, powdery mildew and downy mildew attacks must not be overlooked.