Growing and Saving the Seed Of Balm
Latin name Melissa officinalis is a perennial herbaceous member of the mint family. Pollinators love the flowers of this easy-to-grow, drought-tolerant plant! A popular choice for tea or for medicinal purposes.
HISTORY
Lemon Balm is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. For more than 2,000 years, this herb has been cultivated as a culinary and medicinal plant.
USES
- Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
- Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, covering seeds very lightly and keeping moist until sprouts appear.
- Keep the seed moist until germination.
- Light helps seeds to germinate.
- Set outside after last frost or direct sow in the garden, two weeks before last frost.
- Ideal germination temperature is 65-75 F.
- Easy to grow in average soil, and these vigorous plants need little care.
- Most readily self-sow.
- They like full sun to light shade and average, well-drained soil.
- The plants should not be kept saturated or allowed to wilt.
- Water thoroughly when irrigation is necessary and allow them to dry slightly between waterings. Somewhat drought tolerant.
- Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to rebloom in late summer.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Not usually bothered by pest or disease.
- The most common insect pests are aphids, spider mites, thrips, stalk borers, and whiteflies.
- Growers may also see caterpillars, grasshoppers, leafhoppers and slugs on occasion.
- Can also be susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot in the right conditions.
- Seeds usually mature 1-3 weeks after flowers bloom.
- To test, bend spent head into a bag and tap. If seeds are brown, they are ready.
- Spread out and allow to dry for 2-3 days.
