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What to do with Stevia?
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Posted: Aug/26/2008 11:00 AM PST
Hello, I decided to roll the dice and see how well Stevia grew in zone 8. We have had a fairly hot summer so it has been thriving, however, I'm now faced with two issues. 1 - What am I gonna do with all of these leaves? 2 - How can I keep this around to try and revive/grow again next year? I figured I'd harvest the leaves at the beginning of September, just before frost as I've heard that the leaves are ready around this time. As for keeping this plant around, I wouldn't be too heartbroken if this plant kicked the bucket after this year, as it was more of an experiment than anything else. Still, I'd like to at least give it a shot at keeping it alive. Any thoughts are very much appreciated. |
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Posted: Aug/26/2008 10:47 PM PST
leaves can be harvested ANY time as fer uses you can use it as a sweetener ive herd i havent really tryied that myself lol iive enough fer like 3-4 glasses of tea dryied (i LOVE sweet lol) saving i THINKI you should be ok taking a cutting here in zone 5 it seems tho none of my cuttings are taking (in wet peatmoss no hormones of that stuff) so yea oh has it started flowering? mine went thru alittle cold spell an one of the 2 has been flowering sence i have a few hundred seeds now lol (i HAVE read most GOOD stevia seeds have like a 30% success rate so yea as a warning) but its an ideal (this is like my 2nd or 3rd year with stevia im no pro with it) |
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Posted: Aug/27/2008 4:27 AM PST
I've never had stevia, but a friend of mine does. He said that he just lets it go to seed. No problem. |
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Posted: Aug/27/2008 5:57 AM PST
Quote: Originally posted by witt I've never had stevia, but a friend of mine does. He said that he just lets it go to seed. No problem.this is my first year where its gone to seed so yea --lol-- oh AND only one of my 2 plants went to seed |
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Posted: Aug/28/2008 10:05 AM PST
Hi everyone. Thanks for responding. At the present moment, the plant has not gone to seed although it is getting massive in size. I figure that at the end of the season I'll pull/dry the leaves (hang them upside down in a paper bag in the garage) and cut the plant back. I think I may try and make a little homemade greenhouse around the plant too as I know that frost will kill them and my zone (8) will get frost and occasionally snow. Any other suggestions are appreciated! |
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Posted: Aug/29/2008 7:18 AM PST
Im actually planning on building a mini greenhouse as well. Im tired of having to run out and bring in all the pots when it starts raining! Im thinking 4 2x4's cut to varying sizes to make the frame, 1 1x4 cut to size to make the base, and some wire mesh to make a shelf midway that still allows sunlight to reach the bottom. My problem is figuring out what to use for the exterior. Plastic, fabric, glass,..Im not sure. Someone posted a link to a video tour of their garden in another thread. He had several home-made greenhouses that are the basis for my inspiration. If you don't mind, post some pics of yours if you finish it anytime soon. I will do the same. Edit: here is the address to his video.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0m5Qt1ipro |
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Posted: Sep/02/2008 12:58 PM PST
Damethod - Thanks for the comments. My 'greenhouse' will be somewhat less advanced than I think you are speaking of. I'm considering bending PVC pipe over my raised beds and covering them with plastic wrap (like the picture below). Nothing fancy, just quick and dirty! Attachments:  |
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Posted: Sep/05/2008 4:52 AM PST
Hi there, I am new and I am from the Philippines..... you are very lucky growing stevia, I just got one and I am taking care of it like it is my baby....stevia is not really known here....I am a borderline diabetic and my dad is on insulin....somebody told me about stevia and it is hard finding stevia here....I have been told that to propagate it, I have to cut and plant it in another pot and cover it with a small plastic container just enough to cover the new cutting for 15 days....I do not know if it is the right thing to do...considering the philippines is a tropicalcountry. |
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Posted: Sep/05/2008 9:34 AM PST
wow lol yea zone 5 summer can get hot an humid lol im just puttin in peatmoss in a container (like those ones that store cds with a lid yup them lol) NO holes water when i water everything else an hope it roots thus far i havent had much luck so its in straight up water wih my mints that i wanted to turn into a living arrangement (guess i should mention i did one fer my mom fer the fun of it an they started ta grow roots in STRAIGHT UP water soo yea ill be needing to add miracle grow soon) an right now it seems ok (stevia) mine some mints have roots allready --NOT trying to change the topic |
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