To cultivate stevia in a garden, start the seeds indoors in late winter or sow them directly in mid- to late-spring. Stevia is best sown in a Bio Dome or seed tray indoors. Place a single seed in each Bio Dome cell or on top of the starting medium, and maintain a temperature between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for stevia to germinate?
How to Increase Stevia Stevia is native to South America. The most difficult aspect of growing Stevia is germination. Sweetleaf is famously difficult crop from seed. Once plants are established, they are able to thrive in hot weather and are suitable for summer containers.
Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Stevia from seed. Latin Stevia rebaudiana. The family name is Asteraceae. Difficulty Easy following germination Season & Region Season: Summertime Exposure: Full sun Timing Sow indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, or in late spring. The seeds should germinate within 10 to 16 days.
Starting Utilize bottom heat and sow seeds on the surface of a moist, sterile seed mixture. For germination, warmth and bright light are necessary. Please note that germination is difficult. The germination rate displayed on our packaging reflects conditions in a laboratory.
Without the application of bottom heat, few or no seeds will germinate. We strongly advise using a heat mat. Growing Grow using the same techniques as basil. Grow in a warm location with well-drained soil or in large containers in full sun. In hot, dry weather, water frequently. In extremely hot climates, afternoon shade is beneficial for Stevia.
Plants should be spaced 60cm (24″) apart, and growing tips should be pinched once or twice to promote bushy growth. Harvest Throughout the summer, cut leaves and branches as needed. The leaves dry fairly well for use as an all-purpose, low-calorie sweetener during the fall and winter.
Keeping a Stevia Plant Throughout the Winter – Stevia plants can be difficult to locate in the spring, so I like to keep a few in my sunniest window throughout the winter. Some individuals dig up their outdoor plants, prune them back, and bring them indoors for the winter, but I obtain superior results by rooting cuttings in late summer and cultivating new plants indoors.
Large plants that have spent the summer in the garden are more difficult to cultivate indoors than those that have never experienced full sun. Some individuals root stevia stem tips in water, but it is more efficient to set small cuttings in moist seed starting mix or perlite. I prefer working with small side branches that have been pulled downward from the main stem and have a sliver of stem tissue attached.
(The tissues at the stem/branch junction are densely populated with root-forming cells.) My stevia cuttings develop roots in two to three weeks when kept moist under a fluorescent light, at which point the best ones are transferred to a south-facing window.
What side effects does stevia have?
Certain chemicals in stevia, including stevioside and rebaudioside A, are likely safe for oral consumption when used as a food sweetener. There may be side effects such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, and numbness.
