Description
Romanesco C3 Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a traditional Italian artichoke selection prized for its large, rounded flower buds, attractive green-purple colouring and tender, fleshy hearts. This vigorous perennial produces beautiful silvery-green foliage and is particularly valued for its early, uniform production.
Popular in traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, Romanesco C3 Artichokes are perfect for stuffing, roasting, steaming, grilling and preparing classic dishes such as Carciofi alla Romana. Their delicious, slightly nutty flavour and excellent productivity make them a wonderful addition to home vegetable gardens in Malta.
🌱 Growing Instructions
☀️ Sunlight: Requires full sun, ideally 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Thrives in Malta’s sunny vegetable gardens.
💧 Watering: Water deeply and regularly during active growth and bud development. Reduce watering during summer dormancy, avoiding waterlogged conditions.
🌱 Soil: Plant in deep, fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure.
🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 15°C–25°C. Malta’s mild winters encourage healthy growth, while intense summer heat may cause plants to enter dormancy.
📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 100–120 cm between plants to accommodate their large foliage and spreading growth.
🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions. Add compost in autumn to maintain soil fertility.
✂️ Harvesting: Harvest the artichoke buds when large, firm and tightly closed, before the flowers begin to open. Cut with a short section of stem attached. Established plants can produce several heads throughout the growing season.
🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)
Best planting season: September to November, allowing plants to establish during Malta’s mild autumn weather. Late winter planting is also possible.
Position: Sunny vegetable gardens or raised beds with deep, fertile soil, good drainage and plenty of growing space.
Companion plants: Lettuce, peas and onions, provided sufficient space is maintained around the plants.
Common issue: Aphids may attack tender shoots and developing buds. Inspect plants regularly and maintain good air circulation. Yellowing foliage during summer may indicate natural dormancy.
📦 Product Information
Variety: Romanesco C3
Botanical Name: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Perennial Vegetable Plant
Growth Habit: Large, Upright and Clump-Forming
Harvest Season: Mainly Winter to Spring
Flowering Season: Spring to Summer, if buds are left unharvested
Special Characteristics: Traditional Romanesco selection producing large, rounded green-purple artichoke heads, tender edible hearts, vigorous growth and reliable production under suitable Mediterranean conditions.
Important Information
Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.
The price is per one plant.
