The improved form is more disease-resistant than the standard narrow leaf variety, and the nearly round leaved english variety has a milder, more refined aroma and flavour favoured in traditional mint jelly, peas, carrots, potatoes, mint julep, and lamb sauce.
The improved spearmint and the english mint are both superior spearmint cultivars among possibly hundreds of forms found in gardens. Ginger mint is not so notable for its mild, faintly reminiscent ginger flavour and aroma, but more for its attractive gold-flecked leaves. As its various names suggest, it has a sweet, fruity or floral scent and flavour that is popular in tea and potpourris. Orange mint is also known as bergamot mint or eau de cologne mint. They include peppermint, spearmint, orange mint ( Mentha aquatica ∜itrata), ginger mint ( Mentha arvensis Variegata), and two forms of spearmint, the improved spearmint (also known as Kentucky Colonel mint), and english mint. There are dozens of varieties available, but only a few are important for commercial horticulture. For commercial pot plant production, cuttings are the favoured method. In all cases, the most desirable varieties of mint must be grown from cuttings or by root division. While commercial spearmint seeds are at least the correct species Mentha spicata plants grown from them have all the wrong combinations of essential oils, with, again, an undesirable rank smell and flavour. What is commonly sold as peppermint seeds is in fact a rank-smelling form of spearmint ( Mentha spicata) which has no value as a kitchen herb. Artificial crossing of its putative parents is an exercise in futility because any seeds produced by such crosses result in diverse forms, most of which will not possess the characteristic peppermint aroma and flavour. Although peppermint seeds are widely sold by seed companies, the true peppermint, Mentha x piperita, is a sterile hybrid that cannot produce seeds. Like other herbs that have long been misunderstood by the industry, starting with seeds is a recipe for disappointment. If there is a challenge for the commercial pot plant grower it is to find the right propagative material to start with. And the enduring appeal of mints for tea and for flavour in food make them an easy sell for spring pot production. Novice herb gardeners rarely have a problem growing them. The many mint varieties available are among the easiest of herbs to grow. Sift through strainers to remove the largest chaff, and then winnow off the lighter chaff with your breath, a fan, or the wind.If ever there were a cure for brown thumbs, mint would be it. When fully dry, whack the seedheads in a bucket, allowing the ripest seed to fall. If necessary, dry the seedheads further in the sun on a sheet or table away from moisture and precipitation. Cut the stalks below the lowest seed clusters.
Seed keeping notesĪllow seedheads to dry and turn brown on the plant. Consider growing in pots or with barriers to keep it contained as it spreads via vigorous, creeping rhizomes.
#Mint seeds full#
Start indoors, and later transplant in full sun 10-12" apart.
Keep it evenly moist and in the sunlight until germination. Tamp down the seeds for good soil contact. Sow seeds on the surface of moist potting soil. Germination rate: 49% on ( below standard) Planting / harvesting notes As a mint, it will spread vigorously through the garden via creeping rhizomes.Īlso called Horse Mint, Fillymint, Moroccan Mint, or St.
#Mint seeds Patch#
Our patch of Arabian Mint at the farm seemed to attract every possible insect pollinator around, and was consistently buzzing with the happy work of bees and wasps. Mounding, bushy herb with fuzzy, silvery-blue-green foliage, long narrow leaves, and tapered stalks covered in pale, lilac-colored flowers. Luscious, bountiful, and highly aromatic mint native to Northern and Southern Africa, Central and Western Asia, and continental Europe.
0 kommentar(er)
