Description of the variety of chocolate mint, features of growing and caring for the plant
Everyone knows mint, as it is a favorite spice of many people. Therefore, in recent years, many interesting varieties have been bred. Chocolate mint is appreciated for its interesting aroma: the smell of chocolate and vanilla is added to its menthol coolness. It also has green leaves with a purple tint.
Specificity of the variety
The peppermint variety Chocolate was developed in the Netherlands. Unlike all other varieties, the plant has a softer taste and aroma of freshness and chocolate. In addition, the plant has the following characteristics:
- the height of the bushes reaches 60 cm, its shoots are placed vertically, hairs are occasionally found on the surface;
- leaf blades are round in shape, they are green-purple in color, the arrangement is opposite to each other;
- mint blooms in small and gathered in panicles inflorescences of a light purple hue.
A person feels a mint aroma due to the presence of essential oil in the plant. It is present in all aboveground parts of the bush. This spice is used in the production of confectionery, as well as in hot drinks.
Seed preparation
Chocolate mint is propagated in different ways: root shoots, green cuttings, and seeds that are bought or harvested and dried on their own are suitable for this.
Growing mint bushes from seeds is a laborious and time-consuming business that is not always crowned with success. Also, the percentage of germination of the material may be low. You also need to take into account the fact that when seed propagation of hybrid varieties of mint young plants may not replicate varietal maternal characteristics.
The material for sowing mint has a size up to 0.5 mm in diameter, black. Due to such tiny parameters, care must be taken when sowing. Therefore, use a wide and shallow container. Mint is sown in early spring in grooves up to half a centimeter deep.
Soil preparation
Chocolate mint, like other varieties of this plant, prefers a fertile and breathable substrate prepared in advance. To prepare it, the garden soil is mixed with compost or humus, and a handful of wood ash is added.
Alternatively, they acquire a universal soil for herbs or vegetables. In this case, the composition of the purchased substrate is important: if it contains a lot of lime, this will negatively affect the severity of the aroma of the plant.... This property of the presence of alkalis can be used by people with an allergic reaction to the smell of spices, but who like to drink mint tea.
Landing
After sowing, they create favorable conditions for germination for future plants.To do this, the temperature in the room is maintained within 21-24 ° C, and the soil itself, after moistening, is covered with film or glass. At the same time, ventilation holes are made in the plastic containers on the walls.
Seedlings of young plants appear after 14-21 days. It is advisable to place the containers with mint near the north-east or west windows. It is quite light-requiring and requires good lighting. With its deficiency, the spicy culture may die, but the plant does not need direct sunlight, which will lead to leaf burns.
When the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted into separate containers with drainage or open ground. Its composition can be the same as when sowing a crop. A place for it is chosen with diffused shading. It is planted at a distance of at least 40 cm between the bushes. Mint grows quickly.
Culture care
In order for the spicy culture to be comfortable, it is fed every spring. As a fertilizer, nitrogen-containing complexes or compost, humus, a solution of chicken or cow dung are suitable.
The temperature in the open field in summer is comfortable for the plant, and indoors in winter it is worth protecting it with a damper from hot heating radiators.
In the summer, on the windowsill, a spicy culture needs shade in direct sunlight. In winter, on the contrary - you should do additional lighting with mint fluorescent lamps so that the duration of daylight hours is at least 8 hours a day.
Watering the plant
Chocolate mint is demanding on soil moisture, so it is systematically watered as soon as it dries out. It also responds positively to spraying. This procedure helps maintain the necessary moisture and removes dust from the surface of the plants. After irrigation, the spicy crop becomes vibrant and well-groomed.
Mint grows well in areas with high dampness, which means that it can be planted near water bodies and in the lowlands. The fact that the soil in these areas with high acidity does not interfere with the plant.
Spicy herbs in containers should be soaked well. Excess moisture will be removed through the drain holes. Next time, the soil should not be allowed to completely dry out.
Weeding
Weeding is necessary when the need arises. Without this action, the mint will gradually wither and disappear. The crop growing in the garden needs to be renewed every 3 years, because weeds infringe on it.
Loosening
Also important for chocolate mint and soil loosening. It helps the plant's roots get more oxygen and retains most of the moisture.
Diseases and pests
Chocolate mint has good disease and pest resistance.
Harvesting and storage
Cut off mint shoots after ejection of peduncles or after flowering. If the care of the plant is of high quality, then it will be possible to harvest three times during its growing season. In the case of pinching off the tops, this will serve as a stimulus for a more amicable branching of the spicy culture.
Harvesting is stopped in the middle of the last summer month. Thus, the plant will still have time to accumulate nutrients for its subsequent rest and growth in the new season.
Dry mint out of direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated area. The finished spice is stored in a closed glass jar. This helps the plant stay aromatic for a long time.
Although chocolate mint is mainly grown as a spice, its decorative qualities are also noteworthy. During flowering, it has a very decorative appearance, and it can also be planted as a ground cover plant. In any case, it will bring people a lot of joy and benefit.
