Burdock
Arctium lappa
Also known asGobo · Greater burdock · Edible burdock · Beggar's buttons · Niúbàng
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 3–10 (winter low around -40°C)
- Frost
- very hardy (survives deep cold)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: very heavy. Thin-channel systems can't hold this crop.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.7 |
| vegetative | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
Aquaponics suitability
Not recommended
Fish waste alone doesn't supply enough of what this crop demands. Grows in hybrid systems with supplemental dosing, but expect active management.
Care notes
A specialty root crop requiring very deep growing medium (40 cm minimum, ideally 60 cm) to accommodate the long taproot. Standard hydroponic systems (NFT, DWC) cannot grow burdock; use deep raised beds, tall containers, or media beds filled with loose, obstacle-free substrate (perlite, vermiculite, or sand-perlite mix). Any stone or compacted layer causes the root to fork, reducing market quality. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 15–25°C. Moderate light (DLI 12-18 mol/m2/day). From seed to root harvest: 100-120 days. Harvest by loosening the medium around the root and pulling carefully; broken roots lose quality rapidly. The roots oxidize (turn brown) quickly when cut; keep cut pieces in acidulated water (water with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice) to prevent discoloration. For aquaponics growers with deep media beds, burdock is a unique crop that few other local growers produce, providing a competitive advantage at farmers' markets serving Japanese or health-food customers.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takinogawa Long | open pollinated | 120 | Japanese heirloom, the most-grown cultivar for gobo. Slender straight roots to 60-90 cm. Faster to harvestable size than the wild type, with milder flavor and less woody core. Available through most Asian seed catalogs. |
| Watanabe Early | open pollinated | 100 | Earlier-maturing Japanese selection. Shorter roots (40-50 cm) than Takinogawa Long, which suits standard raised beds. Slightly sweeter flavor. The variety to start with if you've never grown burdock and don't have a 90 cm deep bed. |