Imperial Star Artichoke Seeds (P) Pkt of 20 seeds

(P) Pkt of 20 seeds
Item #05006-PK-P1
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Description

Fruits the first year | Nearly 3 times the yield of older varieties

Sweet, mild buds stay closed longer on the plant, for a more leisurely harvest.

Days to Maturity: 90 to 150

A high-yielding green artichoke, Imperial Star is a fruit vegetable, commonly called globe artichoke. The plant sets large, round flower buds that are more tender and have a sweeter, milder flavor than other green globe strains. Artichoke is considered a superfood for its nutrient rich content, having a high (top 25) Aggregate Nutrient Density Index score (ANDI), or micronutrient-per-calorie density. Globe artichokes are a good source of folate and fiber. They also contain biotin, niacin, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and phytonutrients, mainly the carotenoids lutein and zeaxnthin.

Developed to be grown as an annual, Imperial Star, an herbaceous perennial (Zones 7-9), is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae). The hardy, medium-size, thornless plant produces full-sized artichokes the first year, with 1 to 2 primary buds and 5 to 7 smaller secondary buds. The buds are slow to open, making for a more leisurely harvest, and are best harvested at 4½ inches. Imperial Star has an upright, open habit of deeply serrate, nearly spineless leaves and a vigorous growth rate. If the plant is not harvested, the artichoke buds open into large (up to 7 inches), thistlelike, violet blue flowers. Equally ornamental, Imperial Star fits perfectly into an edible landscape or mixed border.

Imperial Star was bred for fast bud development and a short vernalization period, so it grows easily from seed in one season, growing best in temperate climates with cool summers and mild winters. It prefers full sun and very fertile, moist but well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The plant requires frequent watering and regular fertilization for maximum growth. Open pollinated, it produces seed that grows true to variety, ideal for seed saving.

A cool-season vegetable, one of the first to be planted in the garden, artichoke seed can be direct sown into the garden in early spring before the last frost date. It can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting, spring and fall. It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow, growing best when day temperatures range between 60 and 70°F and night temperature range between 50 and 60°F. If temperatures are expected to drop below 25°F, protect plants with row covers. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature as well as to maintain soil moisture and control weeds.

If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.

Details

Skip Product Specs
Genus 2 Cynara
Species scolymus
Variety Imperial Star
Item Form (P) Pkt of 20 seeds
Zone 8 - 11
Days to Maturity 150
Fruit Color Green
Habit Upright
Seeds Per Pack 20
Plant Height 24 in - 2 ft 6 in
Plant Width 24 in

Product Review Summary

Based on 4 reviews
The average rating for this product is 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0

Customer Reviews

April 05, 2019

100% germination

This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

I had bad luck in the past with artichokes and germination... but I decided to try something different. I took 10 seeds and put them in damp sand in a pill bottle and then the other 10 seeds in damp peat moss in a pill bottle. I put these in the crisper of the fridge for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I planted them 1 seed per cell and placed a a warming mat (gets the soild to about 75-80 deg because I grow them in the basement which is about 60).. Anways after just 3 days, I had 80% germination, then about 2-3 days later the remaining 20% were up. Never had such good luck with artichoke seeds.

Dave from NY
January 25, 2018

Grew these last season

This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

I read this variety would be best for my zone, 6b. I had 100% germination. They took quite a while to get going and I was nervous I wouldn't get any production so I bought some already well established green globes from a big box store. To my surprise the imperial star plants I started put out fruit first although the plant was still quite smaller than the globes. In fact I never got any fruit from the globes. And they got huge. Just came back to buy some more seeds. I couldn't let any go to seed, I ate them all.

Rachel from UT
November 13, 2013

imperial Start Worth The Effort!

This shopper rated the product 4 out of 5 stars

I regret to say I used several year old, unopened but properly stored seed but a few still germinated, grew and "fruited" even with comparative neglect (so I am ordering fresh seed now). Here in suburban Chicago first chokes came the last week in July and continued on and off until hard frost. Plants are compact compared to west coast Artichokes, each was slightly different in habit choke size, color and production (so not entirely uniform) - but I did follow the wisdom of several weeks below 50 F after 3 true leaves before transplanting (most detailed info online suggests in the North starting 12 weeks before transplant and the last half of that time should be outside hardened off and with as many nights below 50 as possible, bringing them in if freezing weather threatens). This means the fast growing plants will be large and husky at transplant time. I want to give them better attention this year, will work extra organic matter and TomatoTone into the soil and cull out the odd looking seedlings in favo

Bob Gabella - GardenOpus from IL
March 18, 2013

Artichoke seeds

This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

The artichoke seeds that I received began to germinate after 10 days. Curiously, one of the two-leaf seedlings is snow white - no green. The others are green. Why?

from VA

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