[Big Jen]

I have been given a plant, its about 12 inches tall at present. Sorry for all the questions but havent a clue!
Where do I plant it, how big does it grow ie how much space does it need?
When can you usually harvest the chokes?
Do you leave it in the ground permanently?
help please
BJ

[woodburner]

It's a perennial, grows tall and has sunflower like flowers. Dig it up when the foliage has died down, chuck a few of the smaller tubers back to be sure of getting more next year, but there's usually enough left to regrow, despite your best efforts to eradicate it :!: In Iran MIL used to chuck the peelings back saying they would grow from them, but I planted whole tubers here and the slugs got them so I really don't kow if they can really grow from just peelings :evil:
I'd love to get some dwarf sunray but there does't seem to be any choice in varieties now. It's fuseau or nothing. Next year I'll try whatever I can get.

[wighty]

Yes it does grow from peelings, we put some in our Dalek and they obviously didn't rot down enough.  We spread the compost over the bed and ended up with JA, pots and toms growing everywhere.  Didn't make that mistake again.

[richyrich7]

They taste great roasted, I only dug up 1/2 of mine last year now I've got a mini forest growing down the lottie  

[Big Jen]

Thank you for the info. Do you think it would be a good idea to plant it in a raised bed currently occupied with squashes and courgettes? It wouldnt really matter if it spread here because its out of sight! Its an old muck heap so very fertile.
BJ

[richyrich7]

Thank you for the info. Do you think it would be a good idea to plant it in a raised bed currently occupied with squashes and courgettes? It wouldnt really matter if it spread here because its out of sight! Its an old muck heap so very fertile.
BJ

Yes but you may want to give it some support, it will love the fertile soil giving lots of large tubers (hopefully) which are easier to handle than loads of little ones .

[wighty]

And be prepared to dig a hole 3' x 3' x 3' to harvest and then you'll still miss a few and they'll return nest year threefold.  I know Richy will back me up on this one as we have a similar problem to his 'forest'.

[GrannieAnnie]

I've never grown these before, but I planted the ones Munty and Aggy gve me in that old bathtub to contain them.  They are growing well, so hopefully I'll get my first taste this year!

[fish]

i too have a veritable forest! ime gonna plant some in the woods edge and then there will be loads free for everyone!

[Big Jen]

Perhaps I should plant it in a container then

[fish]

they do spread a bit but i dont mind,i found the best way to find tubers that have crept forwards is to wait till their shoots appear above ground then simply dig up!