Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) seeds, organic
$3.95 – $117.00
Family: Vervain (Verbenaceae)
Hardy to Zone 6 to 9
(Monk’s Pepper) Woody perennial bush to small tree to 15 feet tall, native to the Mediterranean. The leaves and flowers exude exotic aromas. Traditional use (TWM): anaphrodisiac, breast health. Plant prefers sun to part shade, dryish soils, and withstands drought. Scarify the seeds lightly on medium grit sandpaper. Then soak the seeds in cold water or preferably willow tip tea in a covered jar in the fridge for 30 days before sowing. This seems to help break dormancy. To plant, cover seed with 1/4 inch of soil, tamp firmly and keep evenly moist and very warm until germination. Placing the flat 6 inches below the T-5 grow light delivers about the right amount of heat. Long germination times (33 days or more) are typical. Work up seedlings in pots for a year or two before transplanting to landscape at a spacing of at least 15 feet apart.
Packet contains 50 seeds
5 g contains ~640 seeds
10 g contains ~1,280 seeds
100 g contains ~12,800 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
Question
Kristin –
I’ve had my Vitex for over 3 years now. It grows in a container, leafs out every spring, but has never had flowers, and, therefore, fruits. Do you know of any particular reason why this may be, other than all of the general gardening variables?
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Richo Cech –
hi kristen, i haven’t ever had a potted specimen flower, but I usually plant them to the landscape at year 2 or 3 and they flower on year 4 or so. maybe yours will flower, flowering time is june through september. richo
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Question
Amanda –
How long until the Vitex produces a berry? I would like to harvest the berry for personal use
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Richo Cech –
hi amanda, vitex can flower and fruit after three years and beyond. r
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Question
tracyprd –
Are the small round “berries” for medicine use also the seed for planting? If so, do you also harvest seed late in season for planting use?
Very strong medicine. I have found 1/4 tsp “berries” worked well.
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, Yes, you have that right. Technically they are “fruits” but in commerce they are termed “berries” and they are also the seed. Yes, let them mature on the tree before harvest for medicinal use or replanting. I find these to be very challenging germinators, and succeeded last year by soaking the seeds in water for several weeks and then planting in warm conditions. They eventually, reluctantly, germinated. Richo
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