Yes, cut your artichoke down to, or slightly below, soil level now that spring production is finished. Then reduce the water for several weeks–6 to 8. This will allow the plant to go into its normal summer dormancy. When you resume irrigation after the dormant time, you will see rapid regrowth of leaves and soon new stems will start to bear new buds which will develop during the fall. The artichoke is a cool-season perennial. Bud production starts in the fall. Buds develop during the winter–but cold temperatures will slow plant growth. Growth will resume in the spring heading for late spring harvest. Your plant sounds like it is right on schedule.
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