- Knollenziest: taste, origin and properties
- The most important steps in growing bulbous Ziest
- Caring for the Chinese artichoke properly
- Harvest and use Kollenziest
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Knollenziest is rarely grown in the home garden these days, but it is very easy to cultivate. With us you will learn everything about the origin, planting and harvesting of bulbous zist.
Knollenziest is a popular delicacy, especially in France, but is one of the forgotten types of vegetables here. We introduce the unusual perennial and give tips on growing and using bulbous saffron.
Knollenziest: taste, origin and properties
The tuberous bud (Stachys affinis), also called Stachys or Crosne du Japon, belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). The unusual vegetable originally comes from northern China and is therefore also known as the Chinese artichoke or Japanese potato. The Knollenziest grows as a perennial, frost-hardy perennial and reaches a height of about 50 - 80 cm, in exceptional cases up to 120 cm. The rather bushy plant forms numerous 4 - 6 cm long white, knobbly constricted rhizome tubers underground on its roots. Inside is juicy and firm flesh. Above ground, the bulbous bud shows hard, four-edged stems with decussated, serrated and rough leaves. The Chinese artichoke blooms between July and August and opens its nectar-rich, whitish, red to violet colored lipped flowers. In our latitudes, however, the bulbous ziest hardly produces any seeds. The taste of the edible nodules is reminiscent of artichokes (Cynara scolymus), salsify (Scorzonera hispanica) and cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar. botrytis). They are particularly well-known in France and valued as a delicacy. At the end of the 19th century, the vegetable was also introduced in Germany, but was soon forgotten again.
The most important steps in growing bulbous Ziest
Crosne is cultivated as a perennial vegetable, similar to Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus). The plant prefers loose, nutrient-rich garden soil with good water retention. The location should be partially shadeduntil full sun. In March, the nodules are planted outdoors about 8 - 10 cm deep in the ground. A planting distance of 20 - 30 cm should be maintained between the plants.
Kollenziest can also be cultivated in a pot, whereby the planter should hold at least 5 - 10 liters of soil per plant. A high-quality, pre-fertilized potting soil, such as our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil, is suitable for growing Japanese potatoes on balconies and terraces. In order to avoid waterlogging, in addition to good water drainage, a drainage layer of about 5 cm made of sand, gravel or expanded clay should be filled in at the bottom of the pot. Put potting soil in the container, place the bulbous Ziest plant or the tubers in it and press down the soil well all around. After planting, watering should be vigorous.
Tip: In order to avoid viral diseases, the bulbous ziest should move to another area after 3 - 4 years.
Caring for the Chinese artichoke properly
Knollenziest has a relatively high water requirement. Especially in the summer after planting, you should water so that the perennial can grow well. The plant rewards regular watering with higher yields and larger tubers. Once the bulbous ziest has established itself, it hardly needs any care. In autumn the green part of the plant dies and sprout again in the following spring. Shortly before sprouting, the dead plant material can be cut back to facilitate sprouting. Spring is also the right time to fertilize perennial vegetables. The nutrient requirement is medium-high and roughly comparable to carrots (Daucus carota). A predominantly organic long-term fertiliser, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertiliser, is lightly worked into the surface around the plant and gently releases its nutrients over a period of weeks. The high potassium content promotes the formation and quality of the rhizome tubers and has a positive effect on the yield.
Knollenziest is completely hardy in the bed. However, if it is cultivated in a pot, it should be given insulating protection from the cold made of coniferous branches, fleece or jute. Crosne du Japon is propagated exclusively via the rhizome tubers, as it rarely or hardly ever produces seeds. This makes it easy to propagate your own Knollenziest plants in spring. Kollenziest is sold as a potted plant instead of in the form of seeds, as the tubers are sensitive anddry out quickly.
Harvest and use Kollenziest
The Chinese artichoke harvest begins at the end of October. 1 - 3 kg tubers can be expected per square meter. If the ground is not frozen, it can be harvested fresh as required until January. As with the potato harvest, a digging fork is ideal for harvesting.
Knollenziest is a he althy vegetable, but it does not store very well. Wrapped in a damp cloth and kept cool at around 2 °C, the tubers can only be kept fresh for a few days. Knollenziest has only a very thin, tender skin and does not have to be peeled, just washed well. In most Knollenziest recipes, the tender bulbs are fried in butter or blanched briefly and then processed like asparagus. The Knollenziest can also be prepared in salads, as a side dish, in curries, casseroles and cream sauce.
Another little-known vegetable with underground bulbs is the climbing pear (Apios americana). In our profile you can find out everything about origin, cultivation and use.