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Does lemon balm go to seed?
Seed: Lemon balm can be grown from seed that has been stratified (chilled or frozen) for at least 7 days; once stratified germination will happen in about 14 days. Lemon balm will self-sow in place. You can also sow seeds in place in fall for spring plants.
Do lemon balm seeds need stratification?
Lemon balm seeds definitely benefit from at least a week of cold stratification; otherwise, they can be slow to germinate. Once seeds germinate, water seedlings from trays underneath your peat containers. Plant outdoors in late fall (non-stratified) or early spring (stratified) when temperatures reach about 65F °.
What is the best way to dry lemon balm?
Rinse the fresh lemon balm leaves using cold water and lay out to dry on a baking sheet. You can also gather the leaves in bundles and hang dry them by tying them from a clothesline. Once completely dry, store the dried leaves in an airtight container or a brown paper bag and leave in a dark place.
How fast does lemon balm grow from seed?
5-9 days
Seeds should sprout in 5-9 days with soil temperatures ranging from 65-70°F. You can also choose to start seedlings in flats indoors or in a greenhouse in early spring. Sprinkle seeds in trays on top of potting soil, and keep them moist until they sprout.
How fast does lemon balm work?
It may take up to one month to see your desired results but lemon balm is strong herbal ally that will support you as often as you take advantage of its benefits.
How long does it take for lemon balm to sprout?
You can plant lemon balm from seeds or seedlings, which are young plants that have already sprouted stems. In most cases, you’ll have easier time using seedlings, though lemon balm seeds are fairly hardy and usually sprout without much trouble. It typically takes 6 weeks for lemon balm seeds to develop into seedlings.
What’s the best way to harvest lemon balm?
Harvest a few leaves by pinching off a small piece of stem or by just pinching off a few leaves. If this is done early in the season, it can cause the plant to become more bushy, giving you more leaves to harvest later on. A full harvest means cutting the stems two inches above the soil, above the first set of leaves.
How big does a lemon balm plant need to be?
Keep the seedbed moist until seed germinates. Spacing: Thin successful seedlings to 8 inches apart and later thin plants to 18 inches apart. Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart. How much to plant: Grow 4 lemon balm plants for cooking; grow 6 to 12 plants for tea and preserving.
What to do with dead leaves on lemon balm?
Trim dead flowers and leaves. Lemon balm can be vulnerable to diseases such as verticillium wilt and powdery mildew. To keep your plants healthy, cut away any dead flowers or leaves when you spot them. It’s also a good idea to keep healthy leaves trimmed to ensure effective air circulation around the plants.