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Desperate for heirloom green globe artichoke plants #539586

Asked December 25, 2018, 6:33 AM EST

I live in Brookings Oregon. I have space for 48 artichoke plants. I have purchased plants from local nurseries and started plants from seed that are the modified green globe with no thorns. But each plant is slightly different. I have been trying for years to find a source of the original heirloom green globe artichoke plants. Growers in Castroville Ca (Pizzini Farms) used to sell them but suddenly have stopped. Ocean Mist was no help either. Can you tell me where I can purchase heirloom green globe artichoke plants? I do not want seeds, unless they are certified heirloom green green globe. As I recall from my younger days of growing beans for seed, there were very strict guidelines in order to qualify for certification of the seed by variety. It seems that the nurseries I have spoken to, have no clue what certified seed is. Please help, I am desperate for heirloom green globe plants.

Curry County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. First, here is an Extension article that may interest you about the differences between heirloom and hybrid varieties: https://extension.illinois.edu/hortihints/0102a.html Second, here is an article on the topic of seed certification, which explains that certification applies only to cultivars (varieties that humans have ‘manipulated’ to acquire certain characteristics), which are the opposite of heirloom: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/lapmctn9030.pdf Finally, as for finding the plants, like you, I could find no current sources. You’ll either need to get closer to planting time to find them, or purchase heirloom seeds from one of many sources, including Territorial Seed, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed, and Heirloom Seeds.com, among others. Hope this is helpful. Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied December 25, 2018, 2:58 PM EST

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