Cultivated varieties yield white tubers that are clustered near the main stem in contrast to wild types which produce reddish elongated tubers at the end of long rhizomes. Most cultivars require a growing season of at least 125 frost-free days. Rainfall of 50 in. In dry areas irrigation may be necessary to begin germination. Although the plant adapts well to a wide range of soil types and pH levels, artichoke production is favored by slightly alkaline soils.
Yields are poor on heavy clays, particularly if there is waterlogging.
Jerusalem artichokes are propagated vegetatively by the use of sound, disease-free small tubers or pieces of tubers weighing approximately 2 oz and having at least 2 to 3 buds each. The tubers and tuber pieces are cut to approximately I to 2 oz in size and planted 12 to 24 in. Fresh weight yields were higher with 18 in. These studies were conducted using 2 oz tuber pieces. Tuber yield of two Jerusalem artichoke varieties in two plant populations on sand soil at the Staples Irrigation Center, Staples, MN - 1981.