Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
DISEASES AND PESTS
Powdery mildew (
Erysiphe cichoracearum
) can appear in scorzonera patches.
It typically appears after midsummer and does not affect root yield. Regular watering helps keep it at
bay and encourages rapid growth of new leaves. What can be more problematic is a serious case of
powdery mildew in the second year when growing for seed, which can affect flower and seed develop-
ment. The fungus
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
is a seed-borne mold. Upper parts of stems and flowers turn
brown and flowers sometimes fall off the plant. Bean-shaped, black sclerotia (up to 0.5 in. [1 cm] com-
pact mycelial masses) are found in the stems. This fungus can lead to rot, whether out in the field or in
storage (treat soil with the biofungicide Contans
WG
).
Several species of rust fungi (scorzonera rust,
Puccinia scorzonerae
, and white rust,
Albugo can-
dida
) can cause problems; in the small plots of home gardens, however, the danger of infection is min-
imal.
Massive aphid infestations on flower stalks and buds and feeding damage from various caterpillars
can reduce seed yields. For serious problems, use an organic plant protection product.
CULTIVATION HISTORY
The cultivated version of this plant comes from southern Europe, where the
wild form grows in dry fields and forest glades. Domestication presumably occurred in Spain, though
the first written evidence of its cultivation comes from Italy (second half of 16th century). It was first
used as a medicinal, and since 1600 in France as a vegetable. It has been grown in England since the
late 17th century, which is around when it started to be grown in gardens in the German-speaking
world.
SALSIFY
Tragopogon porrifolius
Common (or purple) salsify is a newly rediscovered crop plant. It is often compared to scorzonera, but
it has a completely different flavor. Roots can become 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) long and 1-2 in. (2-5 cm)
thick. Not only the root of salsify is edible: young leaves are fresh and tasty in salads or cooked like
spinach. Buds and flowers enliven salads. Young shoots, a delicacy, can be eaten like asparagus. As
fresh vegetables are few and far between in spring, the young shoots of many biennial plants, includ-
ing salsify, have been traditionally used at this season.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 15 well-formed plants
• rabbit-proof garden fence
POLLINATION NOTES
Salsify is an outcrosser whose perfect flowers are pollinated by insects. Its ex-
tremely decorative purple basket flowers bloom from early to mid summer. To maintain varietal purity,
observe isolation distances of 500 ft. (150 m), or mechanically isolate different varieties.
Old seed propagation literature claims that salsify will cross with meadow salsify aka Jack-go-to-
bed-at-noon (
Tragopogon pratensis
), but we have never observed this at Arche Noah.
