SalsifyTragopogon porrifolius

Salsify

Salsifies

1. Purple Salsify
2. Common Salsify
3. Oyster Plant
4. Vegetable Oyster
5. Goat's Beard
6. Jerusalem Star
7. Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon

1. Purple Salsify
2. Common Salsify
3. Oyster Plant
4. Vegetable Oyster
5. Goat's Beard
6. Jerusalem Star

1. Haberwurzel

1. Salsify
2. Purple Salsify

1. Haberwurz

1. NameAusternpflanze

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Mertensia maritima

   Clarification

   In culinary contexts this refers to the root of Tragopogon porrifolius, but botanically it usually refers to Mertensia maritima.

1. Salsify
2. growing salsify
3. vegetable oyster seeds
4. purple salsify

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Asterids

Daisy family

1. Scorzonera hispanica
2. Tragopogon pratensis

1. Root
2. Young shoots
3. Flower buds

Salsify is a nearly forgotten jewel of the monastery garden. Its delicate flavor, reminiscent of oysters, makes it a true delicacy among winter vegetables. This biennial plant forms a sturdy taproot in its first year, followed by beautiful purple flower heads in the second year that open only during morning sunshine.

1. Tasksoil_preparation

   Label

   Soil loosening

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3

   Notes

   Loosen soil deeply to prevent forked roots.

1. Taskharvesting

   Label

   Harvesting

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 11
   2. 12
   3. 1

   Notes

   Dig up roots when soil is not frozen.

Sunny locations enhance the root's flavor.

Deep, stone-free and rich in humus; avoid waterlogging.

soil level

Never let the soil dry out completely.

Work in well-rotted compost before sowing.

Do not plant after other Asteraceae like lettuce or black salsify.

1. Leeks
2. Onions
3. Cereals

1. Black Salsify
2. Lettuce
3. Jerusalem Artichoke
4. Other Asteraceae

1. Heavy feeders in following year
2. Brassicas

Maintain a 3-4 year rotation break from other Asteraceae due to risks of soil-borne diseases like Powdery Mildew and Sclerotinia.

1. Root flies
2. Aphids
3. Voles

1. Mildew fungi
2. Rust fungi
3. Rot pathogens

1. Do not use fresh manure.
2. Deep soil loosening before sowing.
3. Strictly follow crop rotation.
4. Use insect netting against carrot flies.

If wilting occurs despite moisture, always check the root for feeding damage.

1. Slugalbugo_tragopogonis

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Warm, humid weather
   2. High air humidity

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Wide spacing
   2. Weed control

   Organic control

   1. Removing infected leaves
   2. Horsetail extract

1. Symptom

   Root is branched or crooked

   Possible causes

   1. rocky_soil
   2. fresh_manure
   3. transplanting_damage

   First checks

   1. Check soil quality (stones?)
   2. Clarify fertilization history
   3. Was the plant transplanted?

1. Symptom

   Root tastes bitter or is woody

   Cause

   Water deficiency during growth or late harvest (bolting).

1. Germination
2. Leaf rosette formation
3. Root thickening
4. Overwintering
5. Bolting (in second year)
6. Flowering
7. Seed maturation

Biennial plant; vegetative development (root) occurs in the first year, generative (flower/seed) in the second.

May to July (in the second year)

Purple-violet

October to February

November

Single harvest per plant (root); leaves and buds can be harvested continuously.

1. Root has reached a diameter of approx. 2-3 cm
2. Foliage begins to die back in late autumn
3. Harvest window from October reached

Dig up roots carefully to avoid damaging the delicate skin; brush off soil loosely.

1. Leave in the ground (hardy)
2. Heeling in moist sand
3. Cold storage

Cool root vegetable storage

In the ground all winter; in a cellar in sand approx. 2-4 months.

1. Freezing (after blanching)
2. Pickling
3. Fermenting

High; considered a delicacy with an oyster-like flavor.

Peel roots under running water or peel after boiling to avoid staining hands with the milky sap.

Mild, sweet, nutty, reminiscent of oysters or artichokes.

1. Root
2. Young shoots
3. Leaves
4. Flower buds

1. Old, woody stems in the second year

No known toxicity; contains inulin, which may cause flatulence in sensitive individuals.

Young roots can be eaten finely grated in salads.

Medium

500 m to other stands of Tragopogon porrifolius.

Leave the best roots in the ground or replant in spring. Harvest seeds as soon as the fluffy dandelion-like heads form.

Separate seeds from the pappus hairs (parachutes) and store dry.

As this is a herbaceous root vegetable, grafting or training systems are not applicable.

In the second year, the flowers provide ample nectar for wild bees and hoverflies. The seed heads serve as a food source for birds.

The milky sap of the root stains hands brown; wear gloves or peel under running water.

Time for direct sowing in a deeply prepared bed.

Harvest time! Roots can be dug up all winter long.