Artichokes in Florida? !?%#??

Hmm, check this out!

Photo by Silvia and grown by Louie at the Oakland Community Garden.  Pictured April 2011.

From Mother Earth News:

Until a few years ago, only gardeners along the Pacific Coast and in mild Mediterranean climates could grow artichokes. This gourmet, perennial vegetable did not tolerate temperatures below 20 degrees, grew best in foggy areas with cool days and nights, and demanded a long growing season.

But these rigid requirements changed when a new variety, `Imperial Star,' became available in the late 1990s. An annual artichoke that is started from seed in early spring, it produces edible buds about 90 days after transplants are set out, much like tomatoes and peppers. Now anyone, anywhere, can have an artichoke patch for fresh eating or even canning.

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After you have had your fill of feasting on fresh artichokes (and canning or freezing the hearts) let some of the buds open to flower. Not only are they a dazzling bluish lavender, but they are magnets for pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. The striking flowers are gorgeous in bouquets or dried, fall floral arrangements. Let the flowers dry naturally on plants. Florists pay premium prices for fresh and dried artichoke flowers, so you might consider the plants for a cash crop, if they grow easily for you. These gourmet thistles offer much to the gardener who plants them. So go ahead: Order seeds and start planning a few artichoke adventures of your own.

From Johnny's Seeds:

Easiest to grow from seed.

Specifically bred for annual production, Imperial Star produces artichokes the first season from seed. Typically 6-8 mature buds, averaging 3-4" in diameter, per plant. Spreading plants are 3-4' tall. Perennial to Zone 7; otherwise, treat as an annual. Packet: 25 seeds.
Plant Cycle:   (A)   Days to Maturity or Bloom:   85

Artichokes are a cool-season crop, they grow best at a 75°F average daytime temperature with 55°F nighttime temperatures. Harvest when heads are young for best, tender flavor.  With Florida hot & humid summers, this makes artichokes a fall grown plant.  

In Seminole County [Central Florida], based on prior year averages,  they will want to be transplanted outside mid to late October.   "Time transplanting so plants get 8-10 days of temperatures around 50°F (10°C) to induce earlier budding. Protect from frost."  Start seed inside 8 weeks prior and pot up to 4" pots as soon as possible.  Theoretically, this gets me budding size plants established outdoors for December chilly weather.  So, I will start seeds mid August.

A gardener in N. Florida writes: 

I have tried to nurse artichoke plants through our hot summer with no success. Instead, I found success by digging up the plants, storing the roots in the refrigerator over the summer, and then planting the roots out in the garden again in mid October.

Artichokes want full sun and well drained soil rich in organics.  In SoCal they easily reached 4' x 4'; though I can't imagine that here.   They will need to be protected from freeze.  They will sure be good though if we can get them to fruit, and one left to bloom would  help with the summer garden transition.

Isn't this beautiful?  At 1.25 per seed though I will have to test artichoke growing without purty purple fruit.  Sob .....

Tempo from Johnny's:

New last year! Purple Artichoke. Can be grown for annual production.

3-4' plants produce 3-4 primary heads that are 4-5" in diameter followed by 10-15 secondary heads that are 2-3" in diameter. Plants may be used as ornamentals. Avg. 11,000 seeds/lb. Packet: 10 seeds.
  Days to Maturity or Bloom:   100