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Growing Jerusalem artichoke on the site is easier than getting a potato crop. The culture adapts well to the soil. Tubers are able to overwinter in the ground, and bring a crop the next year. The technology of growing earthen pears has much in common with the cultivation of potatoes. Planting of tubers is most often carried out in the spring.
Selecting the right variety
There are about 300 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke. The culture is grown in many countries. The following varieties are popular with domestic farmers and private gardeners:
- “Interest” belongs to the late variety. Jerusalem artichoke has gained popularity due to white tubers with a smooth surface. The eyes are small, which makes it easier to clean the root crop. Productivity reaches 3,8 kg/m2. Fully tubers have time to ripen only in the south. The time of harvesting the earthen pear is approximately mid-November.
- “Omsk White” considered a new variety. In terms of maturation, the culture is mid-season. One earthen bush brings up to 23 rounded tubers weighing about 50 g. The yield reaches 4,3 kg / m2. The ripening of the crop is friendly. The stems grow up to 2,3 m high.
- «Pasko» can similarly be considered a new variety. Registration in the State Register was carried out in 2010. The culture is considered late-ripening. The bush is medium. The height of the stems is about 1,5 m. White tubers grow in medium size weighing about 50 g, large – weighing up to 80 g. The yield reaches 3 kg / m2.
- «Shortwave“is known to domestic gardeners of the post-Soviet space. Registration of culture was carried out back in 1965. The crop of an early grade ripens in 120 days. The time of harvesting the earthen pear is the end of September. Productivity reaches 3 kg/m2.
- «Solar” is a high-yielding variety. From 1 m2 collect up to 4 kg of oval tubers. Harvest ripening occurs after 170 days. Bushes grow tall. The length of the stems is up to 3 m. The mass of tubers is from 40 to 60 g.
In addition to the listed popular varieties, domestic farmers and gardeners grow many other varieties of Jerusalem artichoke.
How Jerusalem artichoke breeds
Perennial Jerusalem artichoke reproduces similarly to potatoes – tubers. They are planted whole, cut into pieces or use eyes. The ground pear quickly takes root. Sometimes the culture is even difficult to get out of the garden.
How to plant Jerusalem artichoke
Observing the rules for planting Jerusalem artichoke and care, planting dates, a good harvest can be grown even on the balcony. However, most often an earthen pear is planted in the garden like ordinary potatoes.
When to plant Jerusalem artichoke
In order not to be mistaken with the timing, it is better to plant Jerusalem artichoke in the spring at about the same time as potatoes. For different regions, this period falls from April to May. Jerusalem artichoke tubers will give good shoots if the soil is heated to a temperature of + 7 оC. It is impossible to delay planting dates even with early varieties. Jerusalem artichoke needs time before the onset of cold weather for the full formation of the crop.
Choosing a place and preparing beds
Jerusalem artichoke grows on any soil. Nutritious soils, sunny areas are preferred. The earthen pear does not grow on swampy, acidic soil and salt marshes. When growing Jerusalem artichoke in the country, sandy loam and loam are considered excellent soil. The soil must be fertilized, maintain moisture. From fertilizers, before planting Jerusalem artichoke, humus, phosphorus and potassium are scattered on the ground, after which digging is carried out.
A place on the site for Jerusalem artichoke is usually assigned at the end of the garden or a separate bed is laid out. Among garden crops, an earthen pear is not grown. Jerusalem artichoke absorbs a large amount of nutrients and moisture from the ground. Neighboring plants are oppressed, bring a poor harvest. Another problem is the rapid engraftment of tubers. During the harvesting of an earthen pear, small root crops remain in the ground, sometimes even parts chopped with a shovel. With plowing, the tubers are stretched across the garden, and in the spring they quickly germinate and become weeds. It is very difficult to withdraw them without the use of Roundup.
If a decision is made to allocate a place for planting an earthen pear in the garden, then the crop can be grown in place of potatoes, cucumbers, legumes or cabbage. Excellent Jerusalem artichoke takes root after green manure or cereals. You can not plant an earthen pear in the area where the sunflower or carrot grew. Do not have beds with a culture near low-growing garden plants. High dense bushes of Jerusalem artichoke create a large shadow, complicate the airing of the site.
In the country, large containers can be used to plant an earthen pear. They are placed around the yard in a convenient place. In addition, Jerusalem artichoke blooms with beautiful yellow inflorescences. In addition to the harvest of useful tubers, the owner additionally receives a flower garden.
How to plant Jerusalem artichoke in spring
There are two options for planting tubers in the spring in open ground:
- Furrows are cut in the southern regions. The tubers of an earthen pear are laid out along the grooves, covered with soil.
- If the region is characterized by a cold climate, prolonged rains, tubers are planted in ridges. The option is still acceptable for warm regions, where groundwater is high on the site.
In the garden, the row spacing is left at 60-80 cm. In the groove, earthen pear tubers are laid out in increments of 60-70 cm. The planting pattern depends on the varietal characteristics of the crop.
How deep to plant Jerusalem artichoke
In the spring, there is no point in burying deep earthen pear tubers. They need to grow faster. It will be enough to deepen the planting material by 6-12 cm.
How to grow Jerusalem artichoke in open ground
The process of planting Jerusalem artichoke in the open field and caring for plantings is simple. The culture is unpretentious, requires minimal labor.
Watering Schedule
Earth pear is watered only in dry summers. Each bush requires about 15 liters of water. If the summer is cloudy with occasional rains, you don’t have to worry about watering Jerusalem artichoke. The plant will have enough natural moisture, and excess watering will only provoke rot of tubers.
Do I need to feed
As for fertilizers, the agricultural technology of growing Jerusalem artichoke provides for top dressing. On nutrient soils, you can do without them. Enough of the minerals and organics introduced before planting in the spring. However, for a better harvest of earth pear, at the initial stage, nitrogen and potassium are added during loosening of the soil to accelerate growth. When buds appear on the stems, the bushes are poured with liquid organic matter or mineral complexes dissolved in water. In July, you can once pour the bushes with an infusion of green manure or seaweed.
Garter
For some varieties of earthen pear, tall stems up to 3 m are inherent. From strong gusts of wind, the bushes break, spread out over the garden. When the stems of a tall earthen pear variety stretch above 1 m, they are tied to a support. Ordinary stakes are suitable or simple trellises are installed. If Jerusalem artichoke bushes grow near the picket fence, they are tied to the planks with a rope.
Pruning of bushes
According to the rules of agricultural technology of Jerusalem artichoke, cultivation and care require pruning. Many gardeners ignore the procedure. There is nothing to worry about, but the yield will decrease. The powerful green mass of the plant absorbs a lot of nutrients. At the end of July, it is desirable to cut the bushes. The flowers that appear decorate the site, but they also affect the yield. Inflorescences are better to cut off. Pruning helps to redirect nutrients from the green mass of Jerusalem artichoke to the development of root crops.
How to grow Jerusalem artichoke at home
To grow Jerusalem artichoke in the country, you first need to properly prepare the planting material. The process consists of three steps:
- Ripened tubers are selected for planting. It is advisable to take large root crops with a large number of intact eyes. High-quality tubers are guaranteed to germinate, bring a rich harvest.
- Resuscitation is subjected to sluggish tubers if they are in good condition and go for planting. Root crops are immersed in a bucket of warm water for 10 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.
- Treatment of tubers before planting with preparations to strengthen immunity will protect the culture from diseases. Root crops will germinate faster, development will accelerate.
After preparation, the tubers are planted in the garden or in containers. In both cases, the care is the same. The only difference is the frequency of watering. Soil dries out faster in containers. Watering is carried out as needed.
On the video more about the cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke:
Diseases and pests of Jerusalem artichoke
At first glance, it seems that nothing can harm an earthen pear. However, occasionally such a resistant culture is endangered.
Of the diseases the plant will be harmed:
- Sclerotinia is better known as white rot. Infection is determined by white mold. It is formed on the stems, and the infection spreads from the ground. Over time, black growths appear under the mold. The diseased plant disappears and infects neighboring bushes. It must be immediately removed and thrown into the fire. Sclerotinosis is formed in wet summer from high humidity and temperature changes.
- Alternariosis destroys the green mass of Jerusalem artichoke. The disease is common, and it is determined by a change in the color of the leaf plates. They turn brown with yellow patches. Sometimes a yellow border forms along the edge of the sheet. The leaves gradually dry together with the petioles, fall off or remain hanging on the stem. The control method is the spraying of plantings with fungicides. At the time of processing, the weather should be warm, calm weather with an air temperature above +18оC. It is desirable to repeat the procedure after 10 days.
- Powdery mildew forms on the top of the leaf plate. A sign of the disease is a white coating with a loose structure. As development continues, the plaque becomes brown. The sheet plate becomes brittle, crumbles like glass. The peak of the onset of the disease is the period when temperature and humidity fluctuations are observed. A large accumulation of nitrogen negatively affects. Fungicides are best suited for treatment. Bushes are sprayed with preparations.
Of the pests of the earthen pear, individuals living in the ground are dangerous. Medvedki, slugs, other beetles destroy tubers. If there is an annual danger on the site, before planting, the preparation “Diazonon” or “Foxim” is introduced into the ground.
Conclusion
Grow Jerusalem artichoke on the site under the force of any summer resident who does not have much experience. Under any circumstances, there will be a harvest in the fall. With the acquisition of skills, you can experiment with varieties, increase yields.