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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2012 17:25:32 GMT -5
There's a lot of information out there about growing Stevia from seed, but most of it differs/conflicts. I think it's good to get advice from fellow gardeners, as opposed to conflicting information on Google. I have tried 2 times before to sow Stevia from seed. The first attempt was awful & will not be mentioned ever again. lol...Before my second attempt, I did some research & was able to at least get a good germination rate (60-70%-ish). I had 2 seedlings survive long enough to be about 2-3 cm tall & have fully opened cotyledons. Then, after a month or so staying exactly the same, appearing to not grow at all, they died. I think I have the germination down now, but would like some input on how to take care of them once they get to be at the very wee seedling stage. I started a few seeds about 3 days ago & am hoping the third time's a charm. Please let me know if any of y'all have experience sowing Stevia & any hints, tips, tricks, etc. you can think of that might help. Thanks! - Steve
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Post by coppice on Jan 11, 2012 23:29:29 GMT -5
TN sometimes our record of (our) trial is all there is. If there is one place to search it might be older posts on gardenweb.
This is why we need a couple hundred folks who're willing to go public, with their trial(s).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 11:15:11 GMT -5
Yea, all the most accurate info I did find, was on gardenweb. It helped me to at least get good germination. Now, I have to figure out how to properly baby them through the seedling stage (which for Stevia, is apparently about a year...lol).
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Post by krazykangaroo on Jan 13, 2012 14:22:47 GMT -5
I have tried to grow stevia from seed a couple of times. For a weedy plant it is very hard to get going, if it doesn't damp-off it gets eaten by everything or just dies for no reason. This year I got a few plants up by just growing the seed like I do tomatoes. Unfortunately with a burst of searing hot days I have only got one seedling left. At least I have a heap of seed from my sisters plant that she got at a nursery. And this is from someone that kills every plant she touches and her goats got into the plant often. Looks like this is a plant that likes torture, or at least no molly-coddling, lol.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 15:27:09 GMT -5
I bought a package of seed from BC and planted them in the spring of 2011. Not even a sprout... I would have to use your "baby them" approach if I made another attempt. I have used liquid Stevia as a substitute for sugar and it is not half bad. That is where I got the wild idea to grow a bunch of it and try and make my own Stevia oil.Since I have not delved into making my own oil yet does someone know of a link that explains the process?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 16:38:16 GMT -5
willys: about-stevia.net has some information on uses of Stevia. Maybe it will have the info you need. krazy: For sure! They are definitely one of those plants that need to have almost perfect amounts of sun/heat, water & a fast draining potting mix to even grow into a mini seedling. They apparently stay in the seedling stage for about a year, too. This is about as far as I've gotten them to grow. I know it's a wicked blurry picture, but it lets you know the size of it at least. They apparently stay this small for a few months before they have a growth spurt & take off to eventually become good sized seedlings. i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/stevia_wee_seedling_041010.jpg
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2012 13:29:18 GMT -5
I tried it once from seed and did not have any luck. I got a plant from a nursery, and it is very tough and forgiving plant.
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Pharmer Phil
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jan 22, 2012 7:59:09 GMT -5
we purchased seed about 7 years ago from Pinetree Gardens.. package had 15 seed in it.. we came out with 14 plants..we still have one plant that we bring in every winter to winter over... Yep, read they were hard to germinate from seed...just didn't experience it..
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2012 12:33:22 GMT -5
Pharmer Phil: Any hints, tips, tricks, etc. you can share? All would be appreciated. I don't seem to be having luck getting it to germinate this year, again. But, I haven't truly got started yet (so, it may not be at an ideal germination temperature). Still have half of my equiptment put away. I'll probably try another batch in the next few weeks, once I receive my Baker Creek order.
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