I don't post here much, but again thought some of you might like to know about my results with starting Stevia from seed.

I have read several places that it is supposed to be difficult to start from seed and has low germination rates. I had looked at several web sites that proclaimed this, and also noted that they sold small Stevia plants for between $5 and $10. I wanted to test this for myself, so I ordered two packs of seed, each containing 10 very very small seed (maybe therein lies the difficulty?) from Park's, and planted them in peat pots that were filled with Peter's Professional potting soil (this is my favorite as I believe seedlings need the best soil they can get as they germinate, and I prefer Peter's). After lightly covering the seed with soil and watering well with warm water, I placed a cheap sandwich baggie over the pot, tucking it in underneath, and placed the pots about 3" below 40 watt cool white florescent tubes. The temp in the room is about 65--70 degrees. In about 8-9 days, the seed sprouted. I left the baggies on the pots for about another week to make sure the delicate seedlings didn't dry out, and then took the baggies off. I now have Stevia plants that are about 1" tall, very delicate but healthy. I got about 90% germination, which is only a little less than most tomatoes and peppers.

If you can provide some heat, humidity, and bright light, basically the same as you would for healthy tomato and pepper plants, you should be able to start Stevia.

Just thought some of you would like to know.

The

-- Hannah Maria Holly (hannahholly@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the tip.I too tried seed this year and did get a few up but not nearly with the sucess you had.I have another pack so I will try your method now. BTW,my seed came from Cook's Garden and there was a generous number 30-40 in each pack.

-- JT Florida (gone2seed@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001.

Thanks for the tip also..am going to order some seed..I thought I had to remove the baggie as soon as the seedlings emerged...maybe that is one of the things I have been doing wrong. Thanks.

-- Lynn(MO) (mscratch1@semo.net), February 22, 2001.

Hi folks,Well I've been raising stevia for three years,the only problem starting seeds is you don't always get the same quality of plant as far as sweetness goes.I suggest that you take cuttings from the sweetest plants,raised from seed,and grow those. Stevia is a wonderful herb-It has become my favorite Daryll

-- Daryll (twincrk@hotmail.com), February 23, 2001.