Worth knowing:
Due to its pleasant sourly flavour, the perennial French Sorrel is an interesting wild herb that goes well with many dishes with herbs. Usually, it reaches 25 – 50 cm growing height and develops between May and early September small reddish flowers. French Sorrel is an essential ingredient for the famous German Green Sauce. Since the French Sorrel tends to spread uncontrollably, it might be best to cultivate the plant in a pot. See that you choose a taller sized container for that, as it grows deep tap roots.
Natural Location:
French Sorrel is native to the countries in Middle and Western Europe. By now, it can also be found in the USA, Southern Europe and the Near East.
Cultivation:
The best time for propagation is starting in February at a sunny place indoors as the seed is a light germinator. Scatter the seeds onto moist coconut substrate or organic herbal soil and slightly press them on. Cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the soil from drying out, but don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on the potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25° Celsius and keep the surface of the earth moist, but not wet (ideally using a water sprayer). Depending on the propagation temperature the first seedlings will come up after two to five weeks. Seedlings that are already raised indoors can be planted out with beginning of May. As soon as there is no more night frost expected, you can move the seedling with its complete root ball, to avoid stress for the plant.
Place:
The plant needs the sun, warmth and a wind-sheltered place to produce its full aroma.
Care:
Keep the soil always moist, but not wet. Water your plant as soon as the top layer of the earth has dried out. Fertilize the plant either very modest with compost or organic fertilizer for herbs, or don’t fertilize at all.
During the winter:
French Sorrel is a perennial plant and winter hardy.
Picture credits:
- © © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
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