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Stevia seeds produce Stevia plants which are known for their sweet leaves. These plants are endemic to South America and their leaves are 30 times sweeter than sugar. What’s more they are glycemic-free and virtually contain no calories. Stevia seeds in their raw form are black in color. Under ideal conditions, they can start to sprout 6-14 days after planting and will become fully mature in 40 to 60 days time. Stevia plants in order for them to thrive need to be fully exposed to the sun.
Stevia seeds ideally should be grown indoors although it is possible to cultivate them outside in a garden. If you plan to grow them outdoors, it is advisable that you grow Stevia seeds first indoors then transplant them outside after 8-10 weeks.
They are not that easy to grow at the start and so it is recommended that you use several Stevia seeds when planting. Fully grown plants can be used for propagation by bending their stems then burying their midsections in soil that is fertile. In a few weeks time, these stems would generate fresh roots which can be cut so that you can have additional Stevia plants. Stevia plants that are grown in colder regions are not known to reach their optimum height.
At the end of summer, it is recommended that you bring your Stevia plants indoors and place them in a sunny spot. They may not hold up that well throughout spring but at the very least they will survive. You can then start to bring them outside again once the summer season starts.
A mature Stevia plant is nice to look at and can be a good conversation piece. Their leaves can be grounded and used as a sweetener for beverages or pastries. Usually one big leaf is enough to sweeten a cup of coffee or tea.
There are many gardening stores, nurseries and online shops that offer Stevia seeds for sale. Not all store offerings are the same so pay attention to characteristics when you plan to buy Stevia seeds. Germination rate is one quality that you should look for when choosing Stevia seeds. There are shops that offer outstanding germination rates that range from 60%-70%. A good germination rate would mean that your Stevia seed would have a good chance of surviving or sprouting once planted. Also, look for stores that sell cleaned Stevia seeds with their bristles removed.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about seeds and gardening information at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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