Bergamot, Sweet Leaf (Monarda fistulosa), packet of 30 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 10
(Sweet leaf bergamot) Herbaceous perennial native to western North America, the original accession from Pine Ridge in South Dakota. With showy flowers of lavender to rose and leaves both pungent and minty, this wild native plant, hardy in the face of severe frost, drought or flood, accommodates well to the domestic garden and brings long-lasting joy. Fantastic fresh cut flower and tasty tea herb. Sow by sprinkling seed in pots or on surface of a prepared seed bed, working in shallowly with fingers, and tamping well. Keep evenly moist until germination, which takes 1 to 3 weeks. Thin or transplant to 1 foot apart.
30 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Question
Laura M Scott –
Good day, Richo. In your seed catalogue I read that bergamot is likely to harbor powdery mildew. The bergamot growing in my garden is, indeed, doing so. Is it safe to still use the leaves affected for tea, tincture, etc.? Many thanks.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Laura,
OK, I’m very stoked you mentioned this. We had the splotchy bergamot tested and it came out normal in terms of mold and very high in terms of yeast. So it is my thought that what EVERYBODY for CENTURIES has been saying is a (harmless) tendency of the plant to contract powdery mildew is ACTUALLY (in most cases) a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PHENOMENON. Yes, I’ve used this herb tons of times when it has white splotches on it with no harm and actually great results. If you go back into the ethnobotany you can find statements from native people saying the white-splotched bergamot makes the preferred medicine. Clearly we have more to investigate about this, and throwing out previous misconceptions is the first step to overstanding. Richo
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Laura M Scott –
Thank you. I will proceed with my plans to shift the cantankerous mood of my own farmer Greunwald!
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annielfkin –
Will this flower the first year?
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Richo Cech –
this flowers reluctantly in the fall of the first year and saves most of its strength for the second year, which can be quite showy.
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Shivani –
What is the difference between the lavender fistulosa and the sweet leaf fistulosa? The pics look the same form what I can tell.
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Richo Cech –
hello shivani, these are different ecotypes and are flavored differently. we recommend the organic sweetleaf bergamot seeds. r
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Question
Kaleigh –
Is this the same as bee balm which can be used for sting poultices?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kalegh, I don’t know exactly. This plant is indeed sometimes called bee balm. richo
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Question
Nicole (verified owner) –
Hi. I’ve seeded my last order inside in seed trays. These mushroom looking things shot up over night and don’t look like anything I ordered or like any of the other trays. The soil was an organic mix bought at home Depot. Is this just a baby herb?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Nicole,
You are right, those are mushrooms. Actually look like toadstools which are associated with mycorrhizal associations=–makes me feel good about the mix you’re using. The sweet bergamot hasn’t come up yet. Richo
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