Skullcap, Baikal (Scutellaria baicalensis) seeds, organic
$4.95 – $20.00
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 8
(Skullcap, Baical; Huang-qin, Scute Root) Herbaceous perennial. Native to the shores of Lake Baikal, Mongolia, Siberia, and the Chihli and Shantung provinces of China. The purple flowers are like schools of dolphin breaking through green waves in a summer sea. The part used in traditional Chinese medicine is the dried root. Traditional usage (TCM): antiallergic, diuretic, hypotensive, antibacterial, antiviral, tranquilizing and fever-reducing, commonly used for treatment of dysentery, hepatitis, staph. Source of flavones baicalin and wogonin. This is one of the best Chinese plants to grow organically in America. Not only is it a very striking bedding plant, bearing one of the nicest flowers available from this catalog, but there is on-going demand for the root, which attains harvestable size after only 2 years. Plant prefers sun and regular garden soils. It is extremely drought-tolerant. Sow seed in early spring. Germ. in ~24 days. Space plants 12 inches apart. Flowers to 12 inches tall. As the plants age they become wider, much like humans in middle age, but unlike humans, the seed they produce becomes increasingly viable the older they get.
Packet contains 30 seeds
1 g contains ~560 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
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mary –
One of many medicinal garden surprises from SM! I purchased seed several years ago. It germinated well on a heat mat (~75F) under LED lights. Up-potted the many seedlings once and later transplanted into the border of the medicinal herb garden in northern MN – sandy loam soil, 8 hrs full sun. They survived the first Zone 3 winter and many more to follow (We’re talking -30F to -40F temps!). They are still going strong and produce a beautiful deep blue-purple flowering border every summer. My only complaint is that they are such gorgeous little plants I can’t bring myself to harvest their roots for medicinal purposes.
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Lynn –
I received and planted 3 plants last September. They survived a harsh winter and have grown rapidly this spring into husky, healthy plants.
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Jennifer Pal (verified owner) –
Hi, I have this seed ready for planting this yr and I have your book, Making herbal medicine, this plant is mentioned but only skullcap official has the specific instructions, are there any specific remedy making instructions for the Baical?
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Richo Cech –
hi jennifer, yup, but its going to be awhile before you need them. baical skullcap is harvested in year 2 and ongoing for the ROOT, which is dried, ground up and tinctured at a 1:4 (50A:50W). There, now you have it. richo
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Question
Lynn –
Hi Richo,
I am thrilled by how well my skullcap survived the winter and is growing now (planted last September). No flowers yet. When does baikal skullcap usually bloom?
Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
hi lynn, these are going to bloom this year. richo
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Lynn –
Thanks for responding, Richo! Two days after I asked, my plants sent up multiple spikes of buds, and are now blooming beautifully. Gorgeous.
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Deena (verified owner) –
Though this should go without saying, follow Richo’s instructions and you should have great germination rates (I did)! But I’m writing this review because I’ve noticed that the baikal skullcap seedlings I potted in a big tub with chamomile babies seem to be helping the chamomile overcome the transplant shock! These were all planted out at the same time and the chamomile will all do fine eventually, but with the same soil, light, and moisture, it’s clear how much faster the chamomile closest to the baikal skullcap recovered!!! I then noticed that a gaura plant that self-sowed in another (small) container where I had some lateriflora is also KILLIN’ IT!! Though the baikal root is much more muscular (and easier to get a usable harvest from), lateriflora has even higher concentrations of some of the desired phyto chemicals in its roots (you’d just need to harvest a lot more of the relatively dainty lateriflora roots to get it). So anyway- could be a coincidence, but I’d love to hear if others have noticed this??
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Nick –
So is it pointless to try this in a warmer climate zone like 9-10
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Richo Cech –
hi nick, i try everything and never find it pointless. richo
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Question
Dara Douell (verified owner) –
HI. Would this grow well in the same bed as dan shen? I notice dan shen would appreciate compost, but how about baical skullcap? Dara
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Richo Cech –
Hi Dara, The baical skullcap is taprooted and likes a dryer site with deep, very fast-draining soils. richo
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Dana –
Hi, was wondering if it is too late to start seeds for the Baical Skullcap, it is the beginning of July? I am zone 6 in Missouri. Thanks!
Dana
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Richo Cech –
hi Dana,
It is never too late to start herbaceous perennials from seed. It does depend on your facilities, though. If you’re trying to direct-seed in the garden, then sure, wait to plant until next spring. But if you’re planting in a pot in the greenhouse, then start now, to get the plants sized up as quickly as possible. BTW do not delay to buy any baical skullcap you can find, anywhere, there is a severe world shortage on this, and whatever we list sells out quickly. Richo
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Kelli Kavanagh –
I am looking for a monograph for Baikal you mentioned on fb post. I would like to learn how to collect the seeds of this plant. I have 6 growing, I bought seedlings as experiment and for Lyme.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kelli, you are on the monograph. Don’t wait too long to collect the seeds, they fly early. When the cap is just turning brown strip it, dry, rub out seeds, table separate. more info in “the medicinal herb grower”
r
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Christine r –
Will this be in stock soon? I don’t want to miss out
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Richo Cech –
Hi Christine, The plants are in flower, the seeds will follow, hit waitlist, they’ll be listed when available. Richo
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Kim –
Hey Richo! Question – can this variety’s stem, flower, leaves be used in a tincture?
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Richo Cech –
hi kim, not that I know of. Its the golden-colored root that is used. r
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Carrie Marshall (verified owner) –
Can these plants grow happily in pots
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Richo Cech –
hello carrie, thanks for writing. yes, they are not particularly tall and i’ve had them in pots for years. they flower young. r
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Question
meganmatthers –
how long does germ typically take when started in flats in controlled temps? Just curious because I planted some older (2018) seeds and I’m unsure if they will go, its been just over 10 days
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Diana –
Hi Megan,
Thanks for staying in touch. Germination can be iffy on this one. I started a ton of seed under lights and very few of them germinated. Then I started a packet under normal greenhouse conditions and all of them came up. Maybe avoid too much heat on this one, if ny experiences mean anything. 10 days seems abut right for germination. Could be a bit faster or a bit slower depending on conditions. We think of “skullcap” as a plant that is rhizomatous, likes shade, rich soils and moisture. But Baical Skullcap is TAPROOTED, likes sun, sandy soils, and drought.
Richo
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Question
Bradford –
What zones are these plants viable in? Thanks
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Richo Cech –
If you click on the photo it will bring you to the monograph that gives the info you are seeking Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 8
(Skullcap, Baical; Huang-qin) Herbaceous perennial. Native to the shores of Lake Baikal, Mongolia, Siberia, and the Chihli and Shantung provinces of China. The purple flowers are like schools of dolphin breaking through green waves in a summer sea. The part used in traditional Chinese medicine is the dried root. Traditional usage (TCM): antiallergic, diuretic, hypotensive, antibacterial, antiviral, tranquilizing and fever-reducing, commonly used for treatment of dysentery, hepatitis, staph. Source of flavones baicalin and wogonin. This is one of the best Chinese plants to grow organically in America. Not only is it a very striking bedding plant, bearing one of the nicest flowers available from this catalog, but there is on-going demand for the root, which attains harvestable size after only 2 years. Plant prefers sun and regular garden soils. It is extremely drought-tolerant. Sow seed in early spring. Germ. in ~24 days. Space plants 12 inches apart. Flowers to 12 inches tall. As the plants age they become wider, much like humans in middle age, but unlike humans, the seed they produce becomes increasingly viable the older they get.
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Question
David –
I have no experience in gardening, but if I plant this in the wild will it grow without assistance and last multiple seasons? Is it invasive? Also I live in central Massachusetts.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi David, No, it won’t work to try to do that. richo
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jay –
Will the Skullcap, Baical; Huang-qi grow in rainy seattle weather or can I grow this indoor?
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Richo Cech –
hi Jay, Baical Skullcap can be grown in pots and tends to stay sized to the pot. it can flower when fairly small. I would give this a tentative yes, only because the plant does indeed seem happier when in the garden. Seattle rain is lovely, it will not harm baical skullcap. richo
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BA (verified owner) –
Did an experiment and started one package of Biacal in starter trays and later one package sown directly into garden…BOTH exceeded my expectations on germination and growth! Many thanks!
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Admin Richo Cech –
good work!
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Kristen –
I forgot to rate it, meant to give it 5 stars!
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Kristen –
To add to your info about germination, I ordered these seeds from you last year, & had no trouble with them germinating straight in the garden. Not only that, but they self-sowed quite vigorously & instead of planting more seeds this year I was able to transplant at least 20 plants. Some survived, some didn’t, but I was so impressed (and super excited) about them self-sowing.
It’s a beautiful plant & my kids love that the flowers smell like grape candy.
I’m looking forward to learning more about this plant.
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Admin Richo Cech –
Germination Note: I tested commercial seed I got from China against our organic seed and the chinese seed gave 30% germ and the organic seed gave 95% germ. The organic seed came up in 10 days and the commercial seed came up in 12 days. The organic seed was more vigorous than the commercial seed. RAC
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Priya –
Hello, im planning to buy seeds to grow in pots at home in illinois. Does anyone know if they would survive if i bring them inside and how to care about during winters
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi there,
We planted a number of these in Elgin outdoors and they survived the winter, so you wouldn’t have to bring them indoors.
Richo
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Jennifer –
I am live in northern Ga and I would love to plant these. Will they work in my Zone? Thank you!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, these are very adaptive plants and are really lovely.
Richo
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Laura Ruby –
Hello, I have seeds from you from 2017. How long are skullcap, official, seeds viable? Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Hello Laura,
Thanks for contacting! Depending on storage conditions (optimal cool, dry and dark) skullcap seeds can be expected to maintain some viability for 3 years. Not clear which ones you’re talking about–you mention official and this message is left on baical… richo
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Jan (verified owner) –
My plants from these seeds are doing splendidly in S. Vermont. I am wondering if they can be tinctured fresh instead of drying first?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Jan, It is the dried root of the baical skullcap that is normally used in herbalism. the aerial parts of this species aren’t used to my knowledge. often when one dries an herb and then grinds it up before making tea or tincture, the cell structure is made brittle by the drying process, and extraction is much more efficient. r
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starrfarmroad (verified owner) –
What are the ratios for tincturing? Your medicine-making book is my go-to, but it isn’t listed there (or anywhere else I can find). Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
hello starr, Scutellaria baicalensis is a really good herb! the part used is the dried root and the tincturing ratio is 1:5 (50 A:50 W). richo
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CS –
I would really appreciate any info for trying to grow these lovely seeds in the Phoenix, AZ area!! I have 6’X4′ raised beds, and pots, with the possibility of planting directly into our clayey soil. Thanks for your time!
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Richo Cech –
hello cs, thanks for contacting! the sowing directions and environmental preferences are printed right on the packet, individualized to each species. this will grow fine in phoenix, you can just plant the seeds in your beds, they are easy germinators. richo
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julie_carlson (verified owner) –
Hello Richo, I’m wondering how this might do as a companion for lavender that will be planted in a border? I don’t see anything adverse about it so far but would love your opinion. Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Julie, Thanks for writing. I do think you’re on to something there, the plants utilize different horizons yet both want full sun and dryish soils. Both are perennial, dislike disturbance and do well with a surface mulch of sand or pumice. Richo
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