Growing Stevia Plants
Posted on Apr 19, 2009 under Sweeteners |When the Stevia plants first arrive water them thoroughly to settle the soil. Keep in partial shade for a day or two then plant in full sun. We find that Stevia will grow in almost any climate, if it is given the correct soil, fertilizer, and light conditions. Stevia is not frost hardy and must be planted each year. In areas where there is no frost, Stevia is still replanted each year, due to the poor growth of the 2nd year root system.
Stevia should be planted in the spring after the soil temperature reaches 65 deg F. Plant in full sun and in a light, sandy, open, well drained soil with neutral pH. Use a standard garden fertilized. Do not use a lawn fertilizer or fertilizers with high nitrogen. Adding extra Boron will help keep the Stevioside level high.
Stevia should be harvested in the fall. The leaves contain about 12% Stevioside (one of the sweet factors). The old brown Stevia leaves will contain 8 to 10% Stevioside. The stems contain about 3% Stevioside. Our Stevia Sweet Recipes Cook Book has many recipes that use Stevia leaf powder.
In the Fall just as the plant is starting to bloom you cut the plant off at ground level (the sweet factor is the highest just before flowering). The plant should be harvested early in the morning and dried in the full sun. The whole plant should be dried first then the leaves pulled from the stems. Hang the plant upside down or lay on a plastic window screen in full sun until completely dry. Strip the leaves off the stems. Discard the stems. When crispy dry, store in a plastic bag until ready to use. Leaves harvested this way in the fall will be 2 to 3 times sweeter than leaves from the same plant harvested in the summer. Break the leaf with your hands or put them a blender to make powder. Please email or phone if you have additional questions. The best place to buy Stevia plants is at www.stevia-plant.com .
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on May 24 2009 @ 2:55 am
We have been growing and shipping Stevia plants for about 14 years now and this is the first time we have had a lot of problems. So much so that I had to ask for help from the University of Missouri Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic and the Missouri Department of Agriculture Soils Lab. The labs came back with a heavy infestation of broad mites and a disease called Pythium. We have switched our growing medium to Premier BX with MYCORISE® PRO. this is a natural soil fungus that helps the roots of plants grow better. For the broad mites we are spraying with a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol, and Ivory dish soap. Stevia is a food crop so we use nothing harmful. Please phone me if you want the formula for the bug spray.
by Denver Gonzales, on June 8 2009 @ 9:50 am
Can you tell us how to make Stevia cuttings to propagate new plants for the next year?
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on June 8 2009 @ 11:31 am
In some respects Stevia plants are like chrysanthemums in that they grow during the long days of summer and bloom during the short days of fall so to take cuttings you want to do it while it is growing. Late August is a good time. Take about 3 inches off the top of a branch. Make it longer or shorter to get the cut about half way between leaf pairs. Some people stick them into a glass of water to root them. I like to dip them into rooting powder and then put them in potting soil. You will need to mist them several times a day. If you do the potting soil way, set the pot in a saucer with about 1/2 inch water in it for the first week or two. I root them in a little one inch cell like you get very small bedding plants in and after they are 4 to 6 weeks old transfer to a larger pot. Call 800-753-9199 or contact us at http://www.herbaladvantage.com if you have additional questions.
by stephanie, on June 17 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Hello herbal
I am looking for to learn how should I cut the stevia plant I like to save same spot to grow again do those will grow again? It tall need cut i do read it said upset down ok but do those will grow again?
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on June 27 2009 @ 9:59 pm
To save the Stevia plant for next year, take 3 inch cuttings during July or August. Bring them indoors and root them in a glass of water or in potting soil. When rooted pot them and keep indoors until the following spring. To harvest the Stevia wait until September or October but just before the blooms open. Cut the plant just above ground level early in the morning and dry in full sun.
by Steve, on July 27 2009 @ 2:03 pm
Hi Steve,
Can you tell me a little about the process which generates you white stevia powder? Do you use a different process than other companies?
Thanks so much,
Tamara
Hi Tamara,
To make white Stevia extract the Stevia leaf and stem are soaked in water, they are wet ground and soaked some more. The solids are then filtered out leaving a very dark green liquid. This is then run through a system much like a Reverse osmosis system to pull out the color. The clear liquid is then vacuum sprayed dried. The crystals are then ground into a fine powder. This is a very simple description. Timing and other factors will very the quality of the end product greatly.
Thanks,
Steve
by Sandra, on September 12 2009 @ 4:18 pm
Wanted to ask about drying the leaves. I would want to rinse them well before drying so as to get all the dust and other allergens and droppings from the air that would be sticking to the leaves.
Is it okay to rinse them? I hope so.
Sandy
by DOY NACPIL, on October 18 2009 @ 5:47 am
Hi, Iam from the Philippines ( Cental Luzon), very much interested to propagate Stevia in my backyard.
Can you help me ?
Your blog is very helpful.
God Bless you for this mission.
Doy Nacpil
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on December 2 2009 @ 12:45 am
Hi Doy,
Mt wife, Dr Josefina Marsden, is from Manila. We ship Stevia plants all over the world. We may also have Stevia seed this spring. Thanks, Steve
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on December 2 2009 @ 12:59 am
The glycosides in the Stevia leaves are water soluble so it is not good to rinse the leaves. The better way to clean them is to completely dry them and then shake them in a sive or toss them in front of a small fan.
by Paragon, on January 8 2010 @ 12:38 am
When do you ship the plants you sell? I assume it’s well after frost is around. In May? Isn’t it then a bit too late to plant?
We start shipping Stevia plants in April and continue through August. The time depends upon the weather and when people want them. Stevia should be planted in late Spring or early summer and harvested in late fall. Call 800-753-9199 or contact us at http://www.herbaladvantage.com if you have additional questions.
by gemma almoradie boyer, on March 7 2010 @ 8:34 pm
HI steve, so your wife is filipino as well. We would like to know if you want to propagate this stevia plant in australia. I am a filipino married to a farmer here in Victoria, australia capital is melbourne.
I believe it will be a food additive of the future because of the benefits that it provide. I have hypertension and they said it regulates the blood.
Maybe we might do business together with your knowledge and our farm.
We hope to hear from you regards to your wife.
Sincerely,
GEMMA & Lyndon
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on April 25 2010 @ 12:53 pm
You can take cuttings in August. Bring them indoors and root them. Take them back outdoors the following spring.
by Bhimrao Shingade, on June 10 2010 @ 11:14 am
I am looking for the technology for planting material preparation of stevia plant and Varieties of high stevioside containing Stevia plant. If you can provide me the technology and varities of stevia plants with high stevioside/RubaudiosideA containing plants kindly let me know the procedure to procure the technology, charges of technology and mode of payment and detailed terms and conditions. kindly send me the information about supplier of technology for above mentioned subject. Waiting for your reply.
Regards
Bhimrao Shingade
Contact no. +91 97251 16883
by neddie aguas, on June 14 2010 @ 5:07 pm
Hi, i’m also intereted with this plant, can you give me the address where i can buy stevia cuttings?
Many Thanks,
Neddie P. Aguas
Angeles, Pampanga
Philippines
Cell no. 09209899200
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on June 22 2010 @ 10:23 pm
Stevia rooted cuttings may be purchased at: http://www.HerbalAdvantage.com/
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on June 22 2010 @ 10:24 pm
Stevia rooted cuttings may be purchased at: http://www.HerbalAdvantage.com/
by debbie, on July 25 2010 @ 9:43 pm
I have a beautiful stevia plant but it is getting very tall. Is this normal? I am about to take a cutting from the top to propagate for next year but I am curious if the plant should be so tall. Mine is about four feet tall. Thanks, Debbie
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on August 1 2010 @ 12:38 am
Some Stevia plants will get quite tall if not pinched. I suggest pinching off about a half inch of the growth tip every three sets of leaves. This will make a bushier plant that should survive a wind storm better.
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on August 1 2010 @ 12:48 am
Please let me know what I can do to help you get started. Thanks, Steve
by steve@herbaladvantage.com, on August 1 2010 @ 12:50 am
I would not rinse Stevia leaves. The sweet glycosides are water soluble. Try blow drying them.