Start 8–12 weeks ahead
Warm to germinate, cooler to grow on.
Vegetable SeedsHSC-ART-001-100S
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Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
75Days to maturity
A seed worth growing
Colorado Star Artichoke Seed
About this variety
A very early purple artichoke from seed.
Colorado Star was bred to crop as an annual from seed. Plants are 1–3' tall, upright to sprawling, and heavy-bearing, with purple to green-purple buds: usually 1–3 main buds 2½–3½" across, then 5–7 side buds of 2–2½". It comes from breeder Keith Mayberry, whose earlier work includes Imperial Star. Expect spines on the plants.
The amount of purple varies: some buds are fully purple, others only tinged. It comes back each year where winters stay mild (about Zone 7 and up); in colder gardens treat it as an annual.
About 75 days from transplanting. Open-pollinated.
Specs
- Packet: 25 seeds
- Average 9,600 seeds per lb.
In stock — 100 Seeds
Current price
$16.25
Original price
Sale price
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Know before you sow
Quick Facts
Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.
Growing guide
From seed to harvestGive them a chill
About 10 days at 45–50°F triggers budding.
Plant wide
2–3' apart in rich, free-draining soil.
Cut tight buds
Before the bracts open.
Growing Information
Scientific name
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Soil
Artichokes need very fertile, free-draining soil at pH 6.5–7.0.
Starting indoors
Start 8–12 weeks before planting out. Sow 1/4" deep, 2–3 seeds to each cell of a 50-cell tray or small pot, and thin to the strongest seedling. Germinate at 21–26°C (70–80°F), then grow on at 15–21°C (60–70°F) by day and 10–15°C (50–60°F) at night.
Transplanting
Set out plants 6–12 weeks old, 2–3' apart with 3–6' between rows, and protect them from frost.
Days to maturity
Counted from transplanting.
Cold treatment
Plants must spend about 10 days at 7–10°C (45–50°F) before they will set buds. A fall-planted crop gets this naturally over a mild winter. For spring planting, chill the young plants in a cooler or refrigerator; trying to time the cold outdoors is possible but less dependable.
Mild-winter areas
Where winter lows stay above about 14°F (-10°C), sow in fall for a spring harvest.
Harvest
Cut buds at the size you want, before the bracts start to spread open.
Packet
25 seeds.
Seeds per lb.
About 9,600 on average.
Satisfaction Guarantee
We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.
If anything you order from us doesn’t meet your expectations, just let us know and we’ll replace it or refund what you paid.
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