Small seed pods develop from the pretty white flowers of the stevia over the course of the summer. If you collect these seeds, you can grow many small Stevia plants from them.

development of the seeds

When breeding from seed, it is therefore important to cut off the calyx in good time. Place the capsules on a kitchen towel for a few days until the seeds fall out when tapped lightly.

sow seeds

In order for the seed to germinate, it needs an evenly moist substrate and an ambient temperature of at least 22 degrees. Stevia needs light to germinate, so never cover the seeds with soil. Only when light stimuli fall on the dark grains for several hours a day do the seeds come to life and a new Stevia plant develops.

Even under the best conditions, the germination rate of the honey leaf is only around fifteen percent. Even seeds that you buy in specialist shops usually do not have a higher germination rate. Therefore, always place several seeds in a seed pot and separate the plants if the seedlings are too dense after a few weeks.

Care of the small seedlings

It is important that you pay a lot of attention to the freshly sprouted stevia seedlings.

  • Moisten the surface carefully with a sprayer every day.
  • It is essential to avoid waterlogging.
  • Use a plastic bag to ensure an evenly moist microclimate.
  • To prevent rot and mold growth, ventilate the little plants daily or open the mini greenhouse (€7.95) a little.

Separating the seedlings

When the small Stevia plants have reached a size of ten centimetres, they are separated and placed in separate pots. Prick out the plants in large containers with a diameter of fifteen centimeters so that the strong storage roots can develop well. Carefully get the heat-loving stevia used outdoors and do not expose the seedlings to direct sunlight for the first few weeks.

tips and tricks

If you are not planning to breed, you should not leave too many of the pretty flowers on the plant. Cut back the bud bases and shoot tips regularly so that the stevia forms more branches and grows bushy.

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Vegetable garden