Growing Jerusalem artichoke at their summer cottage
Jerusalem artichoke is considered the most unpretentious plant. It is propagated by dividing the rhizome. This crop is planted in a sunny spot on the site. With good watering and fertilizing, large yields can be harvested. Record figures in the Rostov region are 5.2 kg per plant.
On average, yield indicators under favorable conditions are 3 kg per rhizome. Harvesting can be done this fall after planting or next spring.
Jerusalem artichoke is an ideal plant for growing in a summer cottage. This culture:
- unpretentious;
- gives large yields;
- reproduces well.
Jerusalem artichoke roots are eaten in Japan and other Asian countries. In Russia, this crop is used mainly as animal feed. There are many varieties of Jerusalem artichoke.
Cultivars with red root crops are more productive, but do not withstand long-term spring frosts. The so-called "white Jerusalem artichoke" forms a large amount of green mass, therefore these varieties are considered fodder.
How to get the most root crops
In order to get a large harvest of root crops, Jerusalem artichoke must be cut off. The first pruning is carried out in the summer during the active growing season, when the plant height reaches 2 m, and the second in the autumn. The trunk is cut to 1.5 m.
During an active growing season, the plant is fed with herbal infusion or a solution of rotted cow manure.
To feed Jerusalem artichoke, fertilizers with a high content are used nitrogen... Jerusalem artichoke is the only crop in which root crops do not accumulate nitrates.
Scientists, as an experiment, planted his roots in the Chernobyl zone. The content of heavy metals, nitrates and radioactive particles in these roots was so low that such Jerusalem artichoke could be eaten.
Harvesting is carried out in the fall, simultaneously with the potatoes, or the next year in early spring.
How to store Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke is stored in boxes of sand, like carrots. Root vegetables can be stored in paper food bags that are placed in the refrigerator.
This vegetable is wonderfully stored in the ground, not for nothing called an earthen pear... If you want to store your root vegetables until next year, place them in loam. They will not germinate in infertile soil and will retain all the nutrients.