Growing Salsify, also Vegetable oyster

Tragopogon porrifolius : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Salsify in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 14-21 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, Brassicas, Carrots, Celeriac, Endive, Kohl-rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Alliums, Spinach

Your comments and tips

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27 Aug 12, Paul Yacopetti (Australia - temperate climate)
theitaliangardener.com.au Very fast service,reliable seeds and big quantity in pack. Have bought a few lots off them;hignly recomended
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07 Jul 12, d james (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes I also like growing it transplanted 30 seedlings and all still alive and very happy by the garlic
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20 Mar 12, Fini (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I bought salsify seeds from the lost seed.
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19 Mar 12, Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Just curious where and if seeds can be purchased in Western Australia for salsify. Interested in giving it a go...
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18 Jun 12, kate (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to know as well,I also reside in West Aust.
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22 Feb 12, Adrian van Leest (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Two weeks ago I sowed 80 salsify seeds by inserting each vertically into the soil 5cm apart in rows 15cm apart with the blunt end of the seed at the top level with the ground. So far 58 plants have emerged and I have resown the empty spaces inbetween. I love salsify thinly sliced at an angle and fried with garlic in butter, just like abolone. Yum! Yum!
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27 Mar 12, Adrian van Leest (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A correction to my comment below. I have found that salsify seed forms roots from the blunt end of the seed (from where it was attached to its parent plant). And so it's best to sow salsify seeds by inserting the blunt end of the long seed down into the soil with the pointy end just jutting out ready for the sprouting plant to emerge.
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14 Jun 11, Lauriej (Australia - temperate climate)
I obtained my seeds in 2010 from New Gippsland Seeds in Silvan, Vic., raised then in tubes, transplanted then with plenty of potting mix around them, and they were a success. Previous time I grew them was twenty years ago, when Yates used to sell them. I allowed one plant to run to seed, and harvested that seed yesterday.
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31 Dec 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
where can i find this in australia
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25 Mar 11, rae (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
eden seeds
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Showing 41 - 50 of 63 comments
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I have just purchased a white and black root of this plant at my vegie shop in Chirnside Park. I am going to plant both as they have nodes on top which will be leaves! I live in Launching Place, which is near Warburton in Vic. But not as cold! On hill, otherside of Yarra River. Any advice for growing here? I have grown horseradish from this shop, just cut top off and plant! Hopefully, it will work with these too!

- Heather

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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