Indigo, Japanese Pink (Ko-sen-bon) (Persicaria tinctoria) packet of 20 seeds, organic

$4.95

Family:  Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)

Annual, 150 days to maturity

(Dyer’s Knotweed, Ko-sen-bon, Liao lan) This is the pink-flowered type.  Frost-tender annual to 3 feet tall, a much-branched plant native to Eastern Europe and Asia, including especially Japan and Korea.  Traditional use:  Fresh and Dried leaves used in treating infections, as a disinfectant, also as a treatment for canker sores and seafood poisoning.  Source of indicin–pure indigo dye. I just wanted to point out that the fresh leaves are colored green, not indigo blue.  The one picture in the gallery of a blue leaf is how they appear when they wither, with the indigo showing through.  Plant does well in standard garden culture, in sun to part shade, with a moderately rich soil and reasonably frequent watering.  That said, it is an easily-grown and forgiving plant.  Seed is kept refrigerated and should be planted as soon as possible after receipt.  Sow 1/4 inch deep in rich soil, tamp securely, keep evenly moist and maintain at 70 to 75 degrees F for best germination.  The basic horticultural technique for growing these in the temperate zone is to sow the seed in March, transplant seedlings to field in May, first harvest July, second harvest August.

20 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown

In stock

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  1. Question

    Satya

    Will these seeds be happy in Xone 10-11, south Florida?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Satya, thanks for contacting. This is a quick annual which doesn’t care much about zones–it grows in the summer, it works throughout the USA. richo

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    • sherrill pearce

      i would also like to buy seeds for blue indigo please

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi sherrill, i think you’re probably talking about Indigofera tinctoria, which I did at one time research, find and grow. It turned out to be a problematic species in my area and i had to give up on it. not sure where you can go to get verified material. r

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  2. Question

    Dawni

    How much is shipping to 45013 for 1 packet of Ko-sen-bon? I cannot order without knowing the total cost.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      $3.90, free if you order $10.00 worth of packets

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  3. Question

    Denise (verified owner)

    Can you tell me any companion planting ideas?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Something tall that won’t mind having its feet wet and knees in pink flowers, something like an elecampane or a black cohosh, the possibilities are legion.

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  4. Question

    Clara (verified owner)

    Hello! My indigo starts are growing beautifully in their trays. I’m gardening them off and can’t wait to transplant them out. As 3’ tall branching plants, how much space between the plants do you recommend? Thank you!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      These work well in a bedded situation and will create a monotypic stand with no chance of weed pressure if planted just a foot apart. They can be planted individually or spaced more widely, but it is nice to crowd them a bit because they have better wind-resistance that way.

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  5. Question

    Dianne Garcia

    I just received a packet of Japanese pink indigo from you; would you recommend planting it in pots now (and keeping them inside, because it will freeze within the next few weeks here) or keeping them in the refrigerator in a sealed package and planting them next March outside? (Or splitting the seeds and trying each method?)

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Dianne,
      I think it would be best to refrigerate and plant in spring. It is new-harvest seed from our own production and it will last well that way.
      Richo

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  6. Richo Cech

    Admin Richo Cech

    Hi Michelle,
    If you double-click on the image it will bring you to my monograph on the plant, which is an annual, 150 days to maturity, and does indeed produce seeds to save. Get started early!
    Richo

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    • Lydia

      Hello Richo, thank you for all your helpful information. Is this plant deer and rabbit resistant? Not sure whether to plant it inside or outside the garden fence. Also, is it the roots harvested or the leaves? I assume the leaves as you show the blue leaf and mention a first and second harvest. Thanks

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Lydia, The leaves of Japanese indigo are very tender and probably are eaten by deer and rabbits, which then become blue deer and blue rabbits, because it is the leaves that contain the indicin.
      Richo

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    • Lydia

      Ok- I will definitely plant them outside the fence then! Can’t wait to see the wildlife around here in a few weeks! 🙂

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    • Lori

      My plants are very small. Planted in June I think. So do you think they survive the winter in a greenhouse?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Lori, Yes, we have overwintered them in the greenhouse. Anyway, they may surprise you and put on a lot of mass still this year. Richo

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