Jerusalem Artichoke

By Jack Nelson

Synonyms are H. tuberosus var. fusiformis., Helianthus tuberosus L.

Common names are Endive, Escarolle (Eng.); Chicore Frisde (Fr.); Escarola (Sp.); Krause Winter Endivie (Ger.); Krulandijvie (Neth.).

Cultivars are in India.

The Middle East, later spreading to Egypt by 4500 BC, Greece and many parts of the Mediterranean before being introduced to China by the seventh century AD. A recent introduction to the tropics. Possibly derived from L. serriola L. which is indigenous to western Asia.

Endive was cultivated in Egypt over 2000 years ago and was distributed from there throughout Europe and Asia. It is now cultivated in the Caribbean area, the Philippines, Central and West Africa.

An annual glabrous herb. Roots: main taproot, with fibrous lateral branches. Stems: cylindrical, containing latex vessels, up to 10 cm in most cultivars but extended to 1 m in L. sativa var. asparagina. Leaves: almost sessile, arranged spirally in rosettes, variable in size and form, 10-25 cm in length. Flowers: pentamerous, yellow, in dense clusters, ligulate and hermaphrodite. anthers connate; stigma bifid. Seeds: achenes, oval, 34 mm in length, ribbed, hairy at one end, white, yellow, grey or brown, pappus of silky hairs; approximately 100 seeds/g.

The crop is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions but well drained soils with a satisfactory organic content and adequate mineral reserves are most suitable. Reduced yields are obtained from crops grown on heavy clay soils. High temperatures, above 27C, are likely to induce low yields. The water requirements of the crop are not high, but rainfall levels of more than 1500 mm per year are likely to reduce growth and possibly cause rotting of the tubers. Tuber yield is reduced when crops are grown at low elevations and altitudes of more than 500 m are generally required for the production of satisfactory yields. Crops are grown in India at elevations up to 3600 m. Short days appear to promote tuber initiation and development; some forms may show tuber dormancy for periods of up to 150 days.

Propagation is from seed which germinates in 4-5 days from sowing. May be sown in drills 25-30 cm apart and seedlings initially thinned to 8-10 cm, later to 20-25 cm apart in the row. Approximately 0.75 kg of seed is required per hectare to give a planting density of 200 000 plants/ha. Lettuce is more frequently sown in containers or a seed bed and transplanted when 4-6 weeks old. In some areas, a black polythene mulch is used to reduce water evaporation from the soil surface. Irrigation: This is required at frequent intervals, particularly at transplanting and until the seedlings are established. Dry conditions are likely to induce premature flowering. Nutrient requirements: A good response is obtained to a high soil organic content and to top dressings of nitrogenous fertilizers. Phosphatic fertilizers encourage the production of firm heads. Tipburn in heading types of lettuce appears to result from an imbalance in the soil/plant/water system which may also be linked with temperature variation and nitrogen status of the plant. Some cultivars are resistant to this disorder.

Tubers normally mature within 80-150 days from planting; maturity period varies with cultivar. Removal of the flowering heads in the bud stage will encourage tuber development; the stems are normally cut and removed before the tubers are lifted. Yield: Indian yields in the range of 12-25 t/ha are normal, but yields of 30-40 t/ha have been recorded. Seed production: Seeds are readily formed but are rarely required since tubers are mainly used in propagation.

Once they have been harvested, the tubers rapidly shrink and deteriorate if kept at ambient temperatures, but if they are sound and disease-free, they may be successfully stored for periods from 90 to 150 days at 0C in a relative humidity of 90-95% although a significant loss, due to decay and shriveling of tubers, may occur.

The tubers are eaten as a cooked vegetable, being often added to soups and stews; they may also be pickled.

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Orchids Vegetative Propagation

By Susan Richardson

A number of the reed-type epidendrums also readily produce adventitious growth from along the older stems and at the ends of the extending flower spikes. Leave these until they have grown a good root system, which they do extremely quickly, then carefully remove them from the main stem by cutting them off with a pruning knife. Pot them up and grow them on in the usual way.

Phalaenopsis occasionally produce keikis or adventitious growths from the old flowering stems. This is frequently seen with the species Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana and related species or hybrids. If you want to encourage new growth in this way, you can treat the flowering stems with keiki paste - a growth hormone enhancement that is available from some specialist nurseries or orchid sundry firms. First remove the small green bract that protects each node along the stem, then apply the paste.

Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums Sympodial orchids that do not produce pseudobulbs, mainly the paphiopedilums and phragmipediums, can be propagated from a back portion of growth, which is removed at repotting time in the same way as the old pseudobulbs are removed. This should only be attempted when a plant is large enough and is carrying in excess of four strong growths, otherwise it will reduce the strength of the main plant. Most of the phragmipediums are robust growers that are more easily propagated than many of the hybrid paphiopedilums, which can be slow growing, with the older growths dying before there is an opportunity to build up a very large plant.

Cattleyas are sympodial orchids that are also treated slightly differently. The creeping rhizome is much thicker than that of other orchids and is visible on the surface of the compost with the pseudobulbs spaced along it. Most cattleyas have two growing seasons in any year, producing new growth and roots in the autumn as well as in the spring. This makes it possible to start propagation during the autumn by severing the plant, which remains in its pot.

The plant that has become extremely lit with a length of bare stem at the base srd strong aerial roots along its length, be cut down by severing the rhizome at a point below the leaves and aerial roots. The leafless stump that is left in the pot will, in time, produce a new growth that can be grown on.

Dendrobiums are sympodial orchids, many of which grow tall, thin canes that will readily produce keikis or adventitious new growths along their length. This is particularly true of Dendrobium nobile and its hybrids. These growths occur most often as a result of poor cultivation. If the plants are watered too early in the season after the winter's rest, at a time when the flower buds should be developing, these flower buds turn into growths. If you were expecting flowers, this can be an annoying and disappointing habit.

However, if you want to produce new plants from one favourite specimen, try cutting off a plump, leafless pseudobulb that has not flowered and dividing this into segments, cutting between the nodes or growing points to produce several pieces, each with one joint at the middle. Dust the cut ends with sulphur or powdered charcoal to prevent rot, and place in a community pot with one end pushed into the compost (growing medium). Most of these will produce a new growth that can be grown on to make a further flowering plant within a few years.

You will need to check beneath the sphagnum moss regularly in order to see whether there are any roots growing. As soon as the roots appear, remove the moss covering and spray the roots regularly until they have grown several inches. The plant can then be severed and the top portion potted up and grown on into a new plant.

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Why Nationwide Identity Theft Insurance Is Better

By Elysia K Lennings

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