Lemongrass seeds

Lemongrass / Cymbopogon - also known as lemon grass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, oily heads, citronella grass or fever grass.

A perennial herb widely used as a spice, medicine and aphrodisiac . It has a citrus aroma and can be dried and ground, or used fresh. The stem, with the exception of the soft core, is very hard. But it can be thinly sliced to add to a dish.

It can also be mashed and added whole, in which case aromatic oils are well released along with the juice from the stems. This plant is used in teas, soups and curries. Also suitable for poultry, fish and seafood.

Citronella is grown in many parts of the world. In our country, this plant is not yet very popular and looks exotic in garden plots. Great natural mosquito repellent.

The plant is photophilous, so it is necessary for it to choose well-lit areas in the garden. It is best to grow the shuttle beard through seedlings. Seeds are sown from March to mid-April and create warm conditions for them (22-25 ° C). After 5-7 days, the first shoots appear.

Strengthened seedlings can be planted in the ground only after the establishment of stable warm weather, since lemongrass is a very heat-loving plant and cannot withstand temperatures below + 10 ° C. During the preparation of the substrate, it is necessary to add an additional dose of humus to it and moisten it well. Neutral and slightly alkaline soils of light mechanical composition are suitable for lemongrass. The distance between individual specimens of cymbopogon should be 20 cm. If the plant is planted in several rows, then it is recommended to maintain at least 40 cm between them.

The culture needs regular watering. When growing, it must be remembered that lemongrass significantly depletes the soil. Therefore, after it, it is necessary to replenish the nutrient content in the substrate.

Due to the presence of essential oils, cymbopogon leaves exude a pleasant citrus aroma. It is the complex of these volatile compounds that is valued in perfumery. Flavors for eau de toilette and candles are obtained from lemongrass. Citronella extract is also used in the manufacture of insecticides.

In cooking, the lemongrass plant is used as a spice that gives a pleasant taste to dishes. To do this, the leaves are ground into powder or put whole during cooking. In the latter case, after cooking the dish, the leaves are taken out, since, having given off the aroma, they still retain rigidity. Malabar grass is especially popular in oriental cuisine. It is used in the preparation of various marinades, sauces, fish, meat, desserts. The plant is also valued in tea collections.

Due to the presence of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal substances, the shuttle is recommended for colds. In addition, drinks and preparations with this plant have a tonic that increases the vitality of the body.

There is evidence that the plant lemongrass promotes weight loss. This effect is achieved by regulating metabolism and improving the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

Lemongrass is a very valuable crop, not only due to its active use in cooking, medicine and perfumery. With the help of this plant, you can beautifully decorate the landscape. Its spreading shrubs with thin, slightly curved leaves will decorate any home garden or yard.

Tags: decorative