Jerusalem artichoke , otherwiseJerusalem artichoke , is a very versatile plant. It can be treated both as an arable and ornamental plant. Jerusalem artichoke grows very well in our climate. It produces nutritious underground tubers that are not only tasty but also he althy. Here's whatcultivation of Jerusalem artichoke in Poland looks likeand the properties, use and recipes for topinambour dishes. Everything you should know about topinambourcan be found in this article!
Jerusalem artichoke, Jerusalem artichoke
Fig. depositphotos.com
Jerusalem artichoke - description
The proper name of Jerusalem artichoke is Jerusalem artichoke , meaning Helianthus tuberosus. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. His native continent is North America. As the name suggests, Jerusalem artichoke produces underground tubers that are edible and nutritious. Jerusalem artichoke has very low cultivation requirements and is often wild, which is why it is already considered a common weed in some places.
Jerusalem artichoke can grow up to 1-2 m tallProduces strong stems that are covered with white hairs. The leaves are large, ovate or lanceolate. The edge of the leaf is heavily serrated. The entire leaf is covered with coarse hairs.
Jerusalem artichoke flowers are quite large, yellowand characteristic of the Asteraceae family. They consist of lingual and tubular flowers. The fruit is achenes. In our climate, Jerusalem artichoke does not produce seeds.
Jerusalem artichoke - healing properties and application
Jerusalem artichoke has a number of valuable he alth propertiesIt is worth including Jerusalem artichoke in your diet, because it contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E. Interestingly, vitamins C and B1 provides twice as much as potatoes!
Topinambur is also rich in valuable minerals- zinc, phosphorus, iron, potassium and calcium. It is a very good source of valuable silica and contains large amounts of inulin, which allowsto include this plant in the diet for diabetics
The inulincontained in Jerusalem artichoke, in combination with pectins and fiber, binds a large amount of harmful compounds (heavy metals, cholesterol, fatty acids) and stimulates the contractility of the intestinal walls. Thanks to thiseating Jerusalem artichoke helps to detoxify the body and prevents constipation
Jerusalem artichoke tubers can be sliced and eaten raw
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Jerusalem artichoke tubers, consumed for a long time , improve blood test results, stabilize blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and help restore the correct microflora in the digestive tract.Jerusalem artichoke also protects the liver and supports the urinary tract in the fight against infections.
If you want to use the he alth properties of Jerusalem artichoke listed here, remember toinitially consume Jerusalem artichoke in small amounts, because the body needs to get used to its digestion . Otherwise, the gut laxative effect may be too strong.
Thanks to its properties, Jerusalem artichoke is also used as a fodder plantfor cattle, pigs and sheep. Both tubers and green mass are useful here. The above-ground part of Jerusalem artichoke can be fed to animals in the form of green forage or silage.
Jerusalem artichoke attracts useful insects to the garden , bees (blooming in autumn is a great autumn food for them) and birds. Unfortunately, it is also liked by aphids that are harmful to plants. Sometimes, however, it is used by gardeners in a clever way - easy-to-grow Jerusalem artichoke is planted to attract aphids and distract them from other crops.
Growing Jerusalem artichoke
As already mentionedJerusalem artichoke is an undemanding plant . It is usually grown in the same place for 2-3 years. If it is cultivated longer, the yields will be much lower.
Jerusalem artichoke soil requirements
Topinambur has similar soil requirementsas potatoes. The best soils are fertile, deep, moderately moist and airy soils. When it grows on clay soil, it produces less yield. On the other hand, Jerusalem artichoke copes better than potatoes on poor soils.
Thermal requirements of Jerusalem artichoke
The optimal growing temperature for growing Jerusalem artichokeis 18-26 ° C. In our climate, Jerusalem artichoke is fully frost-resistant and hibernates very well.Fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke
Before planting Jerusalem artichoke, the soil should be weeded, dug and well fertilized. For this purpose, organic fertilizers and green fertilizers are used. During the growing season, you can also use mineral fertilizers, especially those rich in potassium.
Jerusalem artichoke blooming in the garden
Fig. pixabay.com
Jerusalem artichoke care
It is recommended to sprinkle the roots of the stems with soil, which will improve the staticsJerusalem artichokeIf we have a smaller number of tuberous sunflowers, they can be staked or shortened to approx. 1.5 m. To improve the yield, it is worth removing flower buds. During droughtJerusalem artichokeshould be watered additionally.
Propagation and planting Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke is propagated only vegetatively by tubers , because in our climate Jerusalem artichoke will not have time to produce seeds. Divide the tubers into pieces weighing approx. 50 g and 2-3 stitches long. Each tuber fragment is planted in spring (March-April), about 10 cm deep. The spring planting of Jerusalem artichoke seems to be the best, as the plants will then have time to develop large tubers.If we plant Jerusalem artichoke in autumn , then place the tubers approx.15 cm, and before the frost sets in, you need to root them (build mounds of earth over them).Due to the size achieved, it is very importantJerusalem artichoke planting spacingJerusalem artichoke tubers are placed in the ground at a distance of 30-60 cm between the tubers and in rows every 70 cm to 1 m. We can also plant Jerusalem artichoke in large container. This way we will limit its spread and make the harvest easier. However, remember to use good drainage.
If we plant Jerusalem artichoke in the ground, remember to dig in the root barrier , which will allow us to control the uncontrolled growth of the plant.
What to plant next to Jerusalem artichoke?
Jerusalem artichoke grows quite tall and can cast shade for other plants. In the vegetable garden , it is worth planting plants near Jerusalem artichoke that will take advantage of its shadeThe cover created by Jerusalem artichoke will benefit from: cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, melons.
Tomatoes and potatoes should not be planted near Jerusalem artichoke , the growth of which weakens Jerusalem artichoke.
On decorative bedsin the company of Jerusalem artichoke look good : asters, rudbeckia, sage and milkweed.
Jerusalem artichoke - harvesting and storage
Jerusalem artichoke tubers are harvested until the first frost in autumn.They can be stored buried in the soil and dug up gradually, depending on the needs, they will be fresh until spring. Jerusalem artichoke tubers can also be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. They can also be stored in a cool place under sand and peat, they will last for about 5 months. The worst thing for Jerusalem artichoke tubers is the dry air which causes them to dry out.
Jerusalem artichoke - diseases and pests
In our climate, Jerusalem artichoke does not have many dangerous diseases or pests, and the possible damage to the cultivation is small. The most dangerous pests are volley and voles, which can eat Jerusalem artichoke tubersSnails sometimes appear on topinambour leaves and stalks, but they are not dangerous to edible tubers.
Of thediseases, symptoms of powdery mildewin the form of a whitish, mealy coating can sometimes be noticed on the leaves and stems of Jerusalem artichoke. Usually, it is enough to cut out the parts of the plants with visible symptoms on an ongoing basis, which will prevent further spread of the disease.
Jerusalem artichoke leaves affected with powdery mildew
Fig. depositphotos.com
A dangerous disease of Jerusalem artichoke is sunflower rust , caused by the fungus Puccinia helianthi. The first symptoms are yellow-orange spots, about 5 mm in diameter, on the upper side of the leaves. Cup-shaped, orange, convex growths appear directly under the spots, on the lower side of the leaves, and then brown, lumpy, dusty uredinia with a diameter of about 1.5 mm.Leaves that are heavily attacked may die. On older, yellowing leaves, first brown and then black, hard pillows appear on both sides - telia.
Sunflower rust
Fig. Howard F. Schwartz, photo under license CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Other diseases that may appear on Jerusalem artichokeare: gray mold and curd rot.
Diseases of Jerusalem artichoke can be combatedby spraying with Scorpion 325 SC (it is used in the amount of 10 ml of the agent for 2-7 liters of water, which is enough to spray 100 m² of topinambour cultivation).
Jerusalem artichoke recipes
What does Jerusalem artichoke taste like?
As for thetaste of Jerusalem artichoke , its tubers have a taste similar to Brazil nuts or artichokes. Overall, it can be said that Jerusalem artichoke has a sweet, slightly nutty flavor.
Contrary to appearances, you can find a lot of recipes for Jerusalem artichoke. In other countries, it is a highly valued plant. Not only are its nutritional properties high, but it is also he althy and tasty. It is worth knowing thatJerusalem artichoke can be fried, boiled, baked and even eaten rawApparently it tastes very good in tea in the form of a thin slice instead of lemon. Remember, however, thatJerusalem artichoke tubershave carminative properties, so it is worth adding a pinch of cumin or baking soda to your dishes.
Jerusalem artichoke pancakes
An interesting recipe from Jerusalem artichoke isJerusalem artichoke pancakes .
Ingredients: 2.5 cups of coarsely grated Jerusalem artichoke, 2 large spoons of flour, 1/3 cup of milk, 1-2 eggs, s alt and pepper and vegetable oil.
Put all ingredients, except the oil, into a large bowl and mix thoroughly so that the consistency is similar to that of potato pancakes.Then we warm up the pan and pour oil on it. We put the dough and fry the pancakes, just like the potato pancakes. After removing from the pan, put them on a plate with a paper towel so that the excess oil will drain.
Jerusalem artichoke pancakestaste best when they cool down a bit, you can also grate a little cheese on them.
Katarzyna Marcinkowska
