Nasturtium has a slightly peppery flavor with a mustard-reminiscent aroma. It is also known as Indian cress because of its flavor profile similar to watercress.
The plant which can be eaten raw and fresh both leaves and flowers has miniature lotus leaf shaped round and dark green leaves, adds beauty to the place when it is planted. It is a must for plating for a lot of chef.
Today, there are companies that sell nasturtium as leaves or flowers. However, it never gives the taste and pleasure of your own growing in flower pots. It provides fresh crop each time. So grow your own if you can do.
It is an annual plant. You can collect the seeds from the seed pouches formed in the flower heads to renew them every year. Its tiny chickpea seeds last for an average of 3-4 years in a moisture-free and light-free place.
Seeds can be added from the beginning of spring.
Soak the seeds in a moist cheesecloth for 1 night and fill them with moist peat in the early morning, plant them in their pots and water them regularly every day until sprouting.
The most important point here is the soil. Do not start with any soil that you buy from the market. There can be a lot of flies and insect eggs especially in the soils and they can eat your plant when it is sprouted. A quality soil prepared from Cocopeat perlite speeds up your work and helps you to grow a healthy plant.
This plant requires moist soil with a pH of 6.5 -7.5.
It is beneficial to support the soil with NPK 15-15-15 + (15 SO3 Sulfur) Compound Base Fertilizer mixture every 15 days.
In the NPK fertilizer;
• 15% Nitrogen (N)
15% Phosphorus (P2O5)
• 15% Potassium (K2O)
• 15% Sulfur (SO3)
is found and does not contain any animal product.
It will sprout in 3-4 weeks at an average temperature of 14-22 degrees. It is possible to see the first sprouts even 3-4 days after planting at the end of June.
You must surprise the sprouts; after 20 days, sprouts can be removed from the existing pot and planted in a larger pot with new soil.
In very fertilized soils, green leaves grow excessively, you can see a large leaves but less flower. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to regular watering without overdoing the fertilizer.
The article has been prepared entirely from our own experience. Cultivation time may vary depending on the soil quality you use and yout climate.