Perhaps water shortage or erratic supply?

- What method do you use to water?
- How do you determine when to water?
- How do you determine you've applied enough?
- How wet, dry or moist does the soil before you water again?

This is from California but may provide some insights
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/artichokes.html

Here is a link that might be useful: growing artichokes & more

I'm using overhead watering, and the soil stays pretty moist. It is mulched with the leaves, I water twice a week.the powdery mildew pictures on your link look like my leaves, but the gray mold describes the buds being affected.so I will try this year pulling back all the leaves, for the summer,and watering really early in the morning, less frequently.thanks.

I would love to see some diagnosis that accounts for the buds and the leaves at the same time,but will certainly try any idea.