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VARIETIES
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A Year-round Variety
Description:
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Globe-shaped in winter
and spring
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Conical in summer and fall
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Green color, some purple at base in summer
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Thorns prominent in summer and fall. Less developed in winter and spring.
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Compact appearance
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Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor
of artichoke.
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Size:
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18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 count, large loose (cocktail) and small loose (baby)
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Characteristics:
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Good edibility on bracts (petals)
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Heavy bottom (heart) relative to size
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All marketed sizes are mature.
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Seasonality:
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Year-round availability with a spring peak period
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Method of Propagation:
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Cloned from root stock
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Handling:
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Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C)
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Keep moist - 95% humidity
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OK to "top ice"
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Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance.
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Geographic Area:
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Central coast of California with a heavy concentration near Castroville.
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A Winter & Early Spring Variety
Description:
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Shape varies conical to round throughout season.
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Green color
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Thorns, but not prominent
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Compact appearance
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Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor
of artichoke.
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Size:
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18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 count, large loose (cocktail) and small loose (baby)
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Characteristics:
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Bracts (petals) have good, edible portions.
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Bottoms (hearts) are well-developed.
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All marketed sizes are mature.
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Seasonality:
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Winter through early spring
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Method of Propagation:
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Seed
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Handling:
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Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C)
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Keep moist - 95% humidity
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OK to "top ice"
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Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance.
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Geographic Area:
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Southern California inland desert valleys.
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Oxnard: coastal valley
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A Thornless Variety
Description:
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Thornless
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Shape generally conical. Wide base even more pronounced in summer.
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Green color with purple tinge most pronounced at base of artichoke. Purple more pronounced in summer.
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Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor
of artichoke.
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Size:
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8, 18, 24, 36, 48 count
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Characteristics:
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Good flavor
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Wide heart
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Seasonality:
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Nearly year-round availability
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Method of Propagation:
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Big Heart™ was among the first commercially available seed-propagated artichoke. Grown as an annual, plantings can be
staggered for year-round harvest.
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Handling:
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Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C)
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Keep moist - 95% humidity
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OK to "top ice"
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Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance.
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Geographic Area:
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Lompoc: coastal valley north of Santa Barbara, California.
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Imperial: inland desert valley
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A Year-Round, Thornless Variety
Description:
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Thornless
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Glossy, green color
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Shape generally conical; seasonal variations will be rounded
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Compact appearance.
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Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance the flavor.
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Size:
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18, 24, 36, 48, 60 count
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Characteristics:
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Edible stem
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Bracts (petals) have good, edible portions
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Bottoms (hearts) are well-developed
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Seasonality:
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Year-round with peak production in spring
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Method of Propagation:
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Seed
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Developed by and licensed through the University of California
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Handling:
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Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C)
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Keep moist - 95% humidity
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OK to "top ice"
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Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance.
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Geographic Area:
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Widely adaptable
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Imperial and Coachella valleys.
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Sacramento/San Joaquin valleys
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Central coast of California
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