Jerusalem artichoke (aka "earth pear", "Chinese potato", "Jerusalem artichoke" or tuberous sunflower) is a herbaceous plant from the genus Sunflower, so tenacious and unpretentious that in some countries (in Japan, for example) it is considered a harmful weed and they try to eradicate it in every possible way. To the delight of the gardener, Jerusalem artichoke requires almost no care, is resistant to various diseases and drought. However, there are still several secrets that will help grow the tubers of this useful root crop large, juicy and suitable for further propagation.
Selecting tubers for planting
Jerusalem artichoke can be propagated using seeds, but this is a long and troublesome process. It is much easier to use tubers. For planting, choose medium-sized tubers without signs of rot, on which buds have already appeared. The healthier the tuber, the more fruitful the bush will grow from it.
Preparing for planting
To protect the plant from pathogenic fungi and microbes, the tubers are soaked in a strong solution of potassium permanganate. Then, an hour before planting, they are sprayed with growth biostimulants. This will increase the resistance of the sprouts to unfavorable environmental factors and accelerate germination.
If the tubers have been stored for a long time and look dry or wilted, you can soak them in warm water for about ten minutes. It is important not to keep them in a humid environment for too long.
Whole tubers are planted in the fall.In the spring, if there are few root vegetables left, they can be cut into several parts.
Site preparation
Jerusalem artichoke loves warmth and sunlight. Therefore, it should be planted in a well-lit area in warm weather: in the fall - before the first frost, and in the spring - when the soil warms up (usually in late April - early May). The root crop grows on all types of soil, except salt marshes and acidic soils.
Before planting, the area is dug up. It is not necessary to add fertilizers; Jerusalem artichoke will grow without them. However, compost and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers significantly increase yields.
Planting tubers
The depth of the trench for planting is 10–15 cm. The smaller the tubers, the closer to the surface they are buried. The width between the beds should be at least 60 cm - Jerusalem artichoke bushes grow long, spreading and will certainly compete with each other for sunlight and nutrients in the soil.
Loosening the soil
When the sprouts grow to 10–20 cm, the soil must be loosened and the bushes thinned out. When planted densely, the tubers grow small and tend to quickly deteriorate during storage.
The gardener performs the main part of plant care during planting. In the future, Jerusalem artichokes should only be thinned out occasionally and watered during long periods of drought. Such simple manipulations will ensure a generous harvest of healing root vegetables.
