Gardeners who love various spices grow at least a small amount of Kuban peppermint on their plots. This plant is added to tea and dishes to give them a unique, original taste. In medicine, it is widely used to treat nervous disorders and colds.
To obtain strong and healthy seedlings, it is important to sow the seed correctly. All varieties of mint are considered useful and aromatic, but the most medicinal is Kubanskaya, the bush of which reaches a height of 45 cm.
Features of the variety
Peppermint is characterized by a menthol-like, refreshing aroma that is slightly weaker than other varieties of the plant. The stems of the bushes are erect, the leaves are green with an ovate-lanceolate shape, more pubescent below. Flowering occurs from July to August, while the existing small flowers with a light purple tint are collected in spike-like inflorescences.
Kuban mint is grown by sowing in the soil and transplanting seedlings. Plants are harvested during budding for subsequent drying.
Where does it grow
Peppermint is a delicate, aromatic and refreshing herb. It does not require a specific type of climate or region at all. This quality allows many beginners and experienced gardeners to grow spice bushes in their plots. Housewives who always want to have fragrant leaves on hand grow mint on their windowsills.
The plant thrives in well-drained and fertile soils. It will not be able to take root on clay soil. The appearance of the bushes depends on moisture; you cannot plant them in a place where there are flows of groundwater, because an excess of it will spoil the mint. If the soil is not rich, it is recommended to add rotted manure to it. If you use fresh organic matter, there will be an increase in leaf growth, and there will be less essential oils. This result is obtained due to the large amount of nitrogen.
Seed preparation
It is better to purchase material for sowing in gardening stores, because it does not need to be further processed. You can also prepare the seeds yourself, but here it is important to take into account the moment of their ripening, since unripe ones will not be able to sprout.
Before planting, you need to sort out all the seeds and leave only whole ones.In general, mint has a fairly low germination rate; only 2–3 sprouts can emerge from one package.
Choosing a landing site
The bed on which Kuban mint will grow is prepared in the fall. First, it is dug up, then 1 bucket of humus is added per 1 m2. In the spring, digging is carried out again, the compacted soil is broken up using a rake. Top dressing for 1 m2 this is used:
- humus - 3 kg;
- superphosphate - 15 g;
- saltpeter - 15 g;
- sodium chloride - 15 g;
- ash - 2 tbsp. l.
The bed is well leveled, after which it stands for several days for the soil to shrink.
Sowing
It is most convenient to sow seeds in transparent plastic containers with lids. It is easy to maintain the required humidity and heat levels for successful germination. In addition, the seedlings and their condition are clearly visible. Sprouts need regular ventilation.
To avoid wasting time opening and closing the lid, small holes are made on the containers.
Seeds must be planted in moist soil to a depth of no more than 5 mm. Just a little earth is sprinkled on top. Mint seeds are small; if you water them from a watering can, the stream of water can pull them deep, and as a result, sprouts will not appear. Therefore, it is recommended to use a spray bottle.
Containers are placed on sunny windowsills in warm rooms. The favorable temperature level is between 21-24 degrees Celsius. In winter, a bowl of water is placed near the seedlings. This is necessary to maintain favorable humidity.
The first shoots hatch after 7-14 days. At this time, the lids are removed from the containers. After they get stronger, they are transplanted into separate deep containers.It is important to add drainage in the form of crushed stone or broken brick. It is best to use soil with an acid-base composition of 6-7. Special fertilizers are used to feed plants.
Plant care
Kuban peppermint is undemanding. But for good growth you need to do the following care steps:
- Remove weeds while weeding and loosening the soil.
- Water regularly - moderately in winter, and more in the summer months.
- Apply mineral fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus, which will maintain the viability of the bushes.
- Replant mint once every 2-3 years for rejuvenation, good growth and development of the plant.
Harvest and storage
Mint is collected when the need arises. But botanists recommend cutting it off during the flowering period, because at this time the content of essential oils is maximum. The stems are cut and tied into bunches, then hung in well-ventilated places or laid out on fabric or paper in thin layers. Dried mint can be stored for 2 years. During this time, the beneficial properties are not lost.
Many gardeners simply sometimes cut off the leaves of the plant and add them to tea. But in this case there is no question of essential oils and menthol. From such mint you can only expect a pleasant aroma and a slight hypnotic effect.
It is not at all difficult to grow Kuban peppermint at home or on your own plot. But in order to get healthy seedlings, you must follow the recommendations for planting and caring for plants. As soon as the bushes get stronger and become strong, they will no longer require much attention.
