Jiao-gu-lan, Japanese (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), packet of 10 seeds, organic

$5.95

Please note:  As of fall 2020, we have a large crop of jiao-gu-lan berries coming along.  These do not ripen until about February.  If you have an interest in growing this plant from seeds, please hit “waitlist.”  We will not enable this seed packet until we have the new crop in hand.

Family:  Cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae)

Hardy to zone 7 to 12, commonly grown as a potted plant and brought in for the winter.

(Immortality, Amachazu, Jiao-gu-lan)  Herbaceous or perennial vine native to China, Tibet, Japan and Southeast Asia, the blue-green leaves of this perennial vine are commonly made into a tasty tea. Does well in pots and is commonly kept in a light window. Outdoors, a thick mulch will assist these beauties in surviving harsh winters (they will go dormant down to the roots), or you can overwinter them indoors (they grow!) or in a cold greenhouse to add some protection.  Trellis.  Traditional usage:  adaptogen and life extension.

Plant prefers rich, deep, fast-draining yet fertile soil in a partially shaded exposure.  The plants are adaptable and may be grown outdoors, in the greenhouse, or indoors in a light window (will climb the shades).  Seeds are fragile.  We try to protect them in shipment and recommend handling the packet gently.  Seeds germinate in 3 to 6 weeks in warm soil. Space plants 2 feet apart.

10 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

Out of stock

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  1. Question

    mary

    When are the jiogulan seeds ready?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi mary, very late in the year, around november or so. I have a few on my desk. Mainly we sell the potted plants. richo

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  2. Question

    Alejandro

    Hello, when will be on stock Jiaogulan this year 2021?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Alejandro,
      We restarted our jiao this year in a long trellised bed in the shade, well-fertilized. If we get fruits, it is going to be in October or later. Richo

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    • morph.brick

      This plant is native to China. Fromthe name it sounds like this is the japanese variety?

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    • 2 out of 2 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      OK, well, it is a creeper and has a fairly wide natural distribution.
      Here is how we characterize it. “Herbaceous or perennial dioecious vine native to China, Tibet, Japan and Southeast Asia.”
      Yes, my original seedstock did come from Japan. r

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    • Morpn.brick

      Please Mrs Radio, I’m waiting for this seed pack. When will it be available?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      we used to be able to grow this but even though we try haven’t really pulled it off for years. can only refer you to the potted plants, which also frequently sell out. r

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    • akbrust00

      Is there a way to determine the sex of the plant visually?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Akbrust, thank you for contacting with this useful question. The comment is left under “seeds” which will not divulge their sex until they become plants. Once they become plants, the males will have tiny inconspicuous male flowers and the females will be easier to identify–they make clusters of (first) tiny green fruits that become at maturity pea-size fruits, each containing one to several seeds. Three days ago I carefully potted up a good many female plants and will list them as such when they size up. Stay tuned, Richo

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  3. Question

    JRC

    Hello, do you happen to have an estimate of when seeds will be available this year?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi, We lost our seed crop on this last year but are planning on making another go of it. The seeds come ripe in November or so. Richo

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  4. Question

    Brian R

    Is it a sweet variety of Jiaogulan?

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  5. Question

    Marta Koss

    Will you get more Jiao-gu-lan seeds in this season? I would order a plant but can’t ship to Canada. Also wanted to get Lomatium seeds but they’re out of stock, too. Same question. Thank you!
    Thank you! Marta

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Marta,
      Lomatium will be ready to pick in June and the Jiao-gu-lan will be ready to pick in December. I’ll endeavor to e-mail you when these are ready.
      Richo

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  6. Question

    S.Raisza Sljonszkaja

    when will be on stock Gynostemma pentaphyllum?

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  7. Question

    Sara Fishkin

    When do you expect to have jiao gu lan seeds in stock?

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi There, it is now winter 2019 and we do not expect to harvest Jiao seeds again until late fall 2019. We recommend getting the plants, they are easy to divide and increase.

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  8. Question

    Linda Pride

    Hi, When will jiaogulan seeds be available again?

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Linda,
      Send me your domestic address and I’ll post you a few. Use my e-mail herbseed (@) budget.net. I won’t have large lots of these for sale until October of 2019. It is easy to grow them from plants, which are available at http://www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com
      Delivery is in the spring.
      Richo

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    • Krzysztof

      Hi, I would like to buy packet of seeds. Im from Poland

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      I’m sorry, we are now out of these, I’ve given away everything I had in reserve. Try back again in about a year.

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    • Jenny Wilder

      Hi, wondering if you will have jiaogulan seeds soon? I am in BC Canada

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Jenny, we tried, but it was pretty much a bust. sorry. r

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    • Ren

      From what I understand, there is a 5-leaf variety and a 7-leaf variety of Jiao-gu-lan. I have heard that the 7-leaf variety may have more medicinal properties. Do you know if this is the case from your experience? Also, do you happen to carry the 7-leaf variety?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Ren,
      I can’t find any scientific papers or corroborated reports on this. I do know that there is supposed to be a sweeter type and a less-sweet type, and we have the sweeter type. The species name “pentaphyllyum” means 5-leaved but the plants vary in leaflet count, usually from 3 to 5. There are also several other species of Gynostemma which is probably what’s going on with the 7-leaved type–an off species. I saw the WSS offering on this and its kinda cool they have seeds–however bitterness is not a function of saponin content, so I wouldn’t trust that info. We have the type plant and we propagate from root cuttings which is easy. We haven’t had any luck producing seeds for years, although we do have male and female plants. Takes a long growing season, very long growing season, to make seeds. One commercial supplier listed bulk seeds at a reasonable price and we bought them. They were egregiously misidentified–very embarrassing for them–a big problem trying to buy seeds from china–we don’t do that. richo

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