Just wondering if anyoune out there has some spare Jerusalem Artichoke tubers they would be willing to trade for...
or let me pay for the postage...
or whatever???

I have them--but they've already sprouted and some are almost 4' high now. I'm afraid digging them up during a rapid time of growth like this would kill them.

I don't know if I could send you some in winter when they are completely dormant---can live plant materials be sent across the border?---and it would cost almost $10 if I'm guestimating right. I got my originals from the produce section of Walmart for under $4. I let the 6-8 tubers I bought grow that first year and they produced a ton of small tubers that I used to plant a long row the second year.

Check at local stores and see if they have any...you might be able to pick some up cheaper than they could be sent.

Hi Country Kitty; Thanks anyway, but I think you are right it would be a problem transporting them across the Canadian border, especially if they are alive and growing.

I was lookimg just for the tubers. I had hoped there was a Canadian grower who may have had some. I will check at our local Wal-Mart. That would be great if they had sunchokes at Walmart.

Do you harvest your in the fall and eat some or just let the grow?

I do pull some up to harvest in Fall and winter to eat raw. I don't care for them so much cooked.

The first year I planted, I put the 6 or 7 tubers in a corner of the yard--my well-meaning neighbor sprayed some poison ivy on the fence and killed all but 2. I didn't eat any that year due to the poison, just let the 2 grow--there were over 50 tubers next spring when I transplanted to another part of the yard.
Three years later, they come up on their own, get about 6' tall, and I can dig up tubers at will. Can't get them all up because there are so many, so I'll never run out.

Wow, Country Kitty, it sounds like they are quite prolific. I have read that once you have them you can never get rid of it. I don/t have a problem with that, we have 10 acres so I will just put them in a corner all by themselves.
I have never eaten them or grown them but I really want to try them. Jerusalem
Artichokes are supposed to be good for you if you are hypoglycemic. They help to keep the blood sugar down, can't remember what the name of the substance is though but it rhymes with insulin I think?? My cousins husband is hypoglycemic and I was hoping to share with her.
I am sure I can find some in Canada though. I know there are some on Vancoucer Island. Guess I will just have to be patient till we go there for our summer holidays.

I think the substance is called inulin--like insulin without the 's'.

And Yeah, they are almost invasive in how prolific they are!

Good luck finding some!

Yes, that's right, inulin. I took a look on the internet.
This is what is said...Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus (HELTU) is closely related to sunflower and resembles it. The flower has fewer parts but is yellow. The roots have tubers which are high in inulin starch.
Thanks Country Kitty. I know where they are it is just a matter of getting them.

Dear Country Kitty,
I have been wanting to get some jerusalem artichoke tubers also and saw this post and thought....would you be willling to send me some for the cost of postage this autumn? i read what you said about them being too big to send now, but i'd love to have some for my garden next year. i am a new gardener so i do not have a lot, but is there any plant/seeds you would like to have? please let me know and thank you! oh...i am in columbus, ohio

I have an abundance every fall. I'd be happy to share. Just shoot me a message reminding me when its time!