Not looking good

No, it's not looking good at all. This could be one of the ugliest posts I've done for quite a while...

You see, this is one of my cardoons. Or perhaps it is a globe artichoke. Whatever it is, I can't say it's looking very happy right now.

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Last year's mild winter let two of the four plants survive, and although this one was attacked by aphids earlier this year, it sent out lots of additional sprouts late in the summer, and was doing quite well until a couple of weeks ago.

There's still a bit of green left, so maybe it's okay?

No, probably not.

I shouldn't give up hope yet, as things have been pretty dry this winter -- even though it's been closer to a normal winter as far as the temperatures go. Dry and cold gives these plants a better chance of making it through the winter, as too wet will make the crown rot.

So how's the other plant doing -- the actual, no-question-about-the-ID cardoon?

Not great.

It's just not pretty, is it?

I haven't given up hope yet, but I'll be starting a few more cardoon seeds just in case.

Any bets on whether or not these will come back?

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