Detailed Explanation of Jerusalem Artichoke Planting Methods and Technical Points
Jerusalem artichoke, scientific name: Helianthus tuberosus (L. 1753), also known as sunchoke or topinambur, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It grows 1-3 m tall, with tuberous underground stems and fibrous roots. The stems are erect, branched, and covered with white short stiff hairs or bristles. The leaves are usually opposite with petioles, but the upper leaves are alternate; the lower leaves are ovate or ovate-elliptic. The flower heads are relatively large, few or numerous, borne singly at the tips of branches, with 1-2 linear-lanceolate bracts, erect; ray florets usually 12-20, with yellow, spreading, oblong ligules; disc florets have yellow corollas, 6 mm long. The achenes are small, wedge-shaped, with 2-4 hairy conical flat awns at the upper end. The flowering period is August-September.
Planting Methods
Propagation method for Jerusalem artichoke: After the soil thaws in spring, select tubers weighing 20-25 grams for planting. Jerusalem artichoke is planted once a year; after harvest, tubers remain in the soil, so replanting the following year is not necessary. However, to ensure even plant distribution, thin out seedlings in overly dense areas and fill in gaps where plants are missing.
Weeding of Jerusalem artichoke: After the seedlings emerge, fill in gaps promptly, and carry out one weeding along with gap filling. For intertillage and weeding, generally 30-40 days after sowing, cultivate and loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 cm, combining cultivation with weeding. The second intertillage is before budding, carried out together with weeding, to create good conditions for tuber growth and development. Combine intertillage with earthing up; during the tuber enlargement period, remove flowers and buds to promote tuber enlargement.
Fertilization of Jerusalem artichoke: After the autumn harvest, prepare the land, applying 5000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, with 70% broadcast and 30% applied in concentrated furrows at planting. Additionally apply 15 kg of potassium sulfate, plow 30 cm deep, and after plowing level the land and make beds ready for sowing. On the basis of sufficient base fertilizer, two top dressings are needed during the growing period. The first is around late May, applying 10 kg of urea per mu to promote vigorous seedlings and more new branches. The second is at the early budding stage, applying 15 kg of potassium sulfate per mu, followed by watering.
Watering of Jerusalem artichoke: The seedling stage, jointing stage, budding stage and tuber enlargement stage are the four key periods for watering. Generally, water for seedling emergence can be applied in mid-April, water for jointing in late May, water for budding in mid-August, and water for tuber enlargement in mid-October. Although Jerusalem artichoke is drought-resistant, sufficient soil moisture can greatly increase yield.
Harvesting of Jerusalem artichoke: After autumn, Jerusalem artichoke tubers enter a period of rapid growth. When the leaves and stems are completely killed by frost in early October, the underground tubers can be harvested. The tubers can be removed from the soil by manual or mechanical means. If Jerusalem artichoke is to be used the following spring, the stalks can be cut off after autumn without harvesting the tubers, but they should be dug up as early as possible the following spring, otherwise they sprout very quickly (sprouting begins at a soil temperature of 2°C), affecting the quality of the Jerusalem artichoke.
Harvesting and Storage of Jerusalem Artichoke
1. Harvesting: After autumn, Jerusalem artichoke tubers enter a period of rapid growth. When the leaves and stems are completely killed by frost in early October, the underground tubers can be harvested. The tubers can be removed from the soil by manual or mechanical means. If Jerusalem artichoke is to be used the following spring, the stalks can be cut off after autumn without harvesting the tubers, but they should be dug up as early as possible the following spring, otherwise they sprout very quickly (sprouting begins at a soil temperature of 2°C), affecting the quality of the Jerusalem artichoke.
2. Storage: In autumn, dig a shallow cellar, place the Jerusalem artichokes in it, then sprinkle sand over them, maintain humidity and sufficient ventilation, and then cover with 5 cm of soil around them; do not let the Jerusalem artichokes be exposed. For large-scale storage, several ventilation holes can be made with straw bundles. Jerusalem artichokes begin winter dormancy below 0°C. During winter storage, they fear heat but not cold; as long as they are covered with soil, they will not be killed by freezing even at -50°C, and can still sprout and grow the following year.
3. Transportation: For packaging Jerusalem artichokes, plastic woven bags can generally be used, which are both breathable and moisture-retaining, and generally they can be kept for 10-20 days without problems. For transportation, truck or rail transport can be used. When using truck transport, the Jerusalem artichokes should be covered with tarpaulin to avoid excessive water loss. For rail transport, it is best to choose ventilated cars for loading. If sea transport is chosen, the Jerusalem artichokes should be kept in a well-ventilated, low-temperature state, and the sea transport time should preferably not exceed 30 days.