Furthermore, this plant is a perennial herb, that belong to the mint family. Lemon balm plant can grow twelve to fourteen inches high. This plant is shallow-rooted and is also a fast-spreading plant. Lemon balm plant has a lemon-scented, oval, toothed leaves, opposite arranged on four-sided stems. This particular plant flowers in summer. Actually the small white flowers are borne in tight clusters at the leaf axles. This plant is deciduous. Lemon balm plant will die back to the ground in freezing weather, although it will regrow from the roots in spring.
The land preparation
for the plant
The Lemon balm plant need to be planted in full sun. The plant will also tolerate shade. Make sure you grow the Lemon balm plant in a well-drained, sandy loam. This plant can grow in almost any soil. Lemon balm plant actually prefers a soil pH of 6.7 to 7.3.
Time of planting
This herb plant is a hardy perennial herb that grows best in cool weather. The plant need to be sow in spring about the average date of the last frost. Lemon balm seeds are slow in germination. You can also sow the seed in late summer. The Lemon balm root divisions can be planted at any time during the growing season but will actually become established quicker in cool weather. You can start the cuttings from the new growth in moist sand.
The spacing and
planting of Lemon balm plant
The lemon balm seed need to be sow ¼
inch deep. You can also thin successful seedlings to eight inches apart and
later to eighteen inches apart. The rows need to be space eighteen to
twenty-four inches apart. This particular plant spreads by underground roots. If
you actually want to keep lemon balm from spreading, you can set it in the
garden in a container that will keep the roots in place. Make sure you remove unwanted
plants before they become established.
The feeding and
watering of the plant
This herb plant requires regular and
even watering. Lemon balm plant really grows best in a slightly moist soil. This
herb plant does not actually require extra feeding. Make sure you side dress the
Lemon balm plants with aged compost during the growing season.Some of the companion plants are cauliflower, broccoli, and some other cabbage family plants.
How to care for Lemon
balm plant
Make sure you cut back plants in fall
leaving just two inches of stem. Although the Lemon balm plant may freeze back
to the ground in winter but will later re-grow from underground roots and
re-new itself in spring.The propagation of plant: The Lemon balm seed is really slow to germinate, you can plant self-sows, division.
How to grow Lemon balm
in container
This herb plant can be container
grown as an annual. Make sure you choose a container that is six to eight
inches deep and wide
Pest and disease
control in Lemon balm plant
This herb plant does not have a serious
pest problems. This herb plant is susceptible to verticillium wilt and mint
rust. You can actually prevent these diseases by removing dead stems and leaves
from the garden in winter. You can also keep the plants thinned to promote air
circulation.
The harvesting of Lemon
balm plant
When needed you can walk into your
garden and pinch off and use leaves and sprigs as needed. Actually the leaves
for drying can be harvested before the plant flowers in summer, usually about
the time lower leaves begin to yellow. In midseason or in autumn, you can cut
back the entire plant and dry the leaves for later use. The Lemon balm plant
will regrow in four weeks or so in the warm weather.The Lemon balm varieties; ‘the Aurea lemon balm’ is a variegated variety of Lemon balm.
The storing and the preservation
The Lemon balm leaves can be stripped
from the stems and dried in a warm shady place. The Lemon balm dried leaves can
be stored in an airtight container.
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