Stevia grows as a perennial, non-hardy perennial, which can also be easily propagated in our latitudes. The offspring succeed both by means of seeds and from cuttings or sinkers.

Cultivation from seeds

Stevia seeds are relatively small and look like narrow black lines. You can obtain the seeds from the white flowers of the sweet cabbage yourself or buy seed bags from garden retailers.

Method:

Fill pots or yoghurt pots that you have drilled a hole in the bottom with potting soil.

  • Put the seeds on the surface and press them down.
  • Never cover with soil, since Stevia is a light germinator.
  • Moisten the soil well and cover the containers with foil or glass.
  • Leave a ventilation gap to prevent mold growth.
  • The optimum germination temperature is between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius.

In a bright and warm place, the first seedlings will appear after about a week. As soon as the seedlings have reached a size of ten centimetres, they are separated into pots with a very permeable substrate. Potting or herb soil is ideal, which you can loosen up with a little sand or expanded clay (€19.73).

Breeding with cuttings

You can always take cuttings from a strong mother plant during the growing season. Only use shoots that are not yet in bud or bloom.

  • Always cut cuttings with a sharp cutting tool to avoid bruising the plant.
  • Remove the bottom two to four leaves.
  • Place in a glass with water or alternatively put in a container with substrate.
  • Cover with a hood or foil bag (greenhouse climate).

In a bright, warm and wind-protected place, the cuttings will root quickly and grow into vigorous Stevia plants.

Propagation by sinkers

Breeding offspring is very uncomplicated using sinkers, which can be done both in the garden and on the balcony. Place some pots filled with potting soil around the plant or loosen up the soil in the bed a little. Bend the outer branches of the stevia down and weigh them down with stones. After about a week, new roots will form on these branches. Cut off the branches so that the small plant can develop independently.

tips and tricks

Exactly the same daughter plants can be grown from cuttings, while sowing from seeds you have obtained yourself can lead to variations in the stevia.

Category:

Vegetable garden