The potting soil may be a little rich for germination. Have you used it for germination before? I mean people fertilize and such, but maybe you did not as the original ingredients were used up?

I planted my purple Italian artichokes in cups, 2 per cup, on January 14, 2018 and place them in my small indoor greenhouse that I have in my basement. I placed a root warmer under them and placed 2 daylight quality fluorescent shop lights over them. I plugged the electricity in 12 hours per day. Today, January 24, 2018, they have begun to germinate. It will now be about 8 weeks until I begin the hardening process and about 9-10 weeks before I set them out in the garden.

Will they be ready to harvest this year or next?

They will be ready to harvest this year. Vernalization tricks them into believing that they have passed a winter and are in their second year.

What are the cooling parameters for artichoke? 150 hours at 40f? Or does a freezer work better?

I believe that you need 3-4 weeks in temperatures below 50 degrees at night, depending upon the variety. In 2013 I transplanted my chokes out into my raised garden bed on about March 1. Our last average frost day is April 15. When it was to get too cold, I covered them with buckets and pots to prevent damage. It worked that year.

And this latest effort was with seed? Or the plants?

Seed. But when the plants are about 6-8 inches tall, you have to vernalize them. Putting the seeds in the cold does not work.

Sounds like another good use for the beer refrigerator.

Cecily - I am in Fairfax; are you near? I thought we might trade a couple of plants, my purple Italian Chokes for your globe. Interested?

Hi Charlie, we're in Prince William a couple miles west of 95. Ours are growing by the French doors so they won't be as far along as yours. We can trade a couple in March if you're okay with little guys.

Sounds like a plan. My email is ctboring@yahoo.com. Touch back in late Feb.