Patchouli has a spicy and complex aroma.There are jagged green leaves and small white flowers.patchouli is a relative of the mint family and became popular as a fragrance in the 1960s.It is native to Asia and thrives in warm climates like Southern California, Arizona, and Florida.It can be grown in cooler climates if it is well cared for.
Step 1: Purchase seeds of patchouli.
Visit your local nursery to discuss the options for ordering it in, or purchase seeds online from a trusted garden retailer.If you don't own planting flats, you should buy them at the same time as the seeds.
Step 2: The soil and lighting needs to be prepared for planting.
You can fill a planting flat or tray with warm, humousy soil by putting holes in the bottom.You can put regular soil in a container.The soil should be left rough on the top.It should be in a sunny part of the house, such as in front of a window or under grow lights.A mix of equal parts vermiculite, peat moss and perlite could be used to make your own potting soil.It's best to start seeds in shallow containers.There are wide containers that prevent overcrowding.You can use yogurt containers that have been recycled.To help the soil drain, punch holes in the bottom.
Step 3: The flat has a surface covered with seeds.
The seeds should fall between the cracks in the soil.The humous-rich soil should be pat down with the palm of your hand.The seeds should be barely covered by the warm, humousy soil.The seeds need to be in contact with the moist soil in order to grow.The bottom of a glass is a good place to put a pestle.
Step 4: The flat needs to be sprayed with water.
Use a mist setting on your garden sprayer to keep the seeds out.It takes between one and three weeks for the plant to grow in a nice warm location.The soil should be moist and nice during this time.If you are worried about a disease, you can sprinkle a mixture of chicken and sphagnum.It will help prevent diseases by spreading it over the flats.You can keep the seed tray moist by putting a plastic wrap over it.The humid environment will be created by this.Over watering the seeds will cause them to be disturbed and prevent proper growth.If the soil feels dry, you should water it.You don't need to water it if it's still damp.
Step 5: Use a fan to blow air over the tray surface.
There is a fan in front of the tray.The fan should be on a low setting.Good air circulation will help to prevent disease by blowing air over the top of the trays.
Step 6: The four-inch pots should be used to separate the seedlings.
You can separate the leaves from the planting tray once they grow a second set.Pull up the plant from the soil and lift it up.The plant should be placed in a four-inch pot.They should be allowed to grow until they fill the pot with roots.They are ready to put the ground outside or in a larger pot.If you look underneath the four-inch pot, you can see if the pot is full of roots.The roots should be visible through the water holes at the bottom of the pot.If you don't have time to grow your own, you can buy a seedling from the garden center or online.
Step 7: It's a good idea to find a sunny place for your plants.
The plant likes moist soil.It likes full sun to partial shade, so find a nice place in your backyard or near a sunny window.Make sure your plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.Patchouli can be grown indoors as a container plant.It can easily burn if it's placed too close to the window.Patchouli doesn't like cold temperatures.
Step 8: The plants should be given some room.
Your plants should grow between 15 and 31 inches in height.You will need to plant them between 60 and 100 centimeters apart.
Step 9: In the composted planting holes, place the seedlings.
There should be a hole for each seedling.The compost should be at the bottom of the holes.Before planting the seedlings, make sure the soil is warm.The seedling should be transferred from the pot to a new location.Make sure the soil is around the plant.mulch the plant to keep it moist.
Step 10: The crown of the plant has branches that are short.
To get a clean cutting, use a sharp knife.There are two or three inch branches near the crown of the plant.Cut off the older branches if you want to harvest the young shoots.The leaves should be removed from the cutting.If you have a stem with little buds where flowers or leaves are growing, choose branches that have at least one node.If you have a friend who has a pot of patchouli, you can use the plant's leaves to grow it.It's best to gather them in the late summer or early fall.
Step 11: If you want to get one that takes root, you need to have multiple cuttings.
If you want to make sure you get at least one cutting that takes root, you should cut three or four branches from your plants.If some of them fail to grow, this will give you some insurance.
Step 12: Clean mason jars should be used to store the room temperature water.
You should use jars that are sterile.The jar should be filled with water to the lowest set of leaves.The water should be cold.You can plant the roots of the cutting in a pot if they grow to between one quarter and half an inch in length.The water in the jar needs to be replaced every three days.Before placing the roots in the water, dip them in a rooting hormone.
Step 13: Put moist potting soil in the pot.
There are little planting holes in the pot.Wherever you want to grow a patchouli plant, place the holes a few inches apart.
Step 14: The roots need to be put in the pot.
Each cutting should have a point above the soil.Water the plants.If you want to retain humidity, put a cover over the pot.At some point a few of the plants should take root.By springtime, you will have a new plant.You should bring the pots inside during the winter if you live in a cooler climate.
Step 15: On a daily basis, water your patchouli.
As the temperatures rise in the summer, the plant needs to be moist.During the summer it may need daily watering.The mister on the garden hose can be used to increase humidity.Put your finger into the soil to see if the plants need water.You should water the plants if it feels dry at the bottom of your finger.
Step 16: You should keep your plants well fertilized.
Liquid fishfertilizer or rotted manure can be used.It is possible to use a 10-10-10Fertilizer.In the fall, apply thefertilizer once per month.
Step 17: Diatomaceous earth can be used to fight insects.
A chalk-like powder that is completely harmless to humans but kills insects by dehydrating them is a wonderful solution for organic pest control.It should be placed on top of the soil around the plant.The insects will not be allowed to eat the patchouli.
Step 18: Before the fall frost, bring your plants inside.
Before the cold weather hits in the fall, you should bring the plants inside because they are sensitive to cold temperatures.Before the first frost date in your region, bring your plants inside.
Step 19: You can harvest the leaves.
The leaves have a distinctive green color.It is possible to harvest them continuously throughout the growing season if you just take a few leaves.If you want to harvest more of the plant, you should wait until the fall.Add them to the potpourri for a rich scent.It is best to harvest before noon.If you want to pull the whole plant at the end of the season, you should only harvest about a third of it at a time.