Latest Prices for Catnip Seeds and a Detailed Guide to Growing Them
Catnip, also known as camphor grass, cool mint, small mint and so on, is a perennial upright herbaceous plant of the genus Nepeta in the Lamiaceae family. It has low demands on climate, soil and other growing conditions, and can be grown in both northern and southern parts of China. It is sometimes cultivated for medicinal use, but it is not the genuine article of the commonly used Schizonepeta. Now let us take a look together at the price of catnip seeds and how to grow them!
How much is a jin of catnip seeds?
The price of catnip seeds is about 120 to 150 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and market. Catnip prefers a cool climate and full sun or partial shade. It grows vigorously and blooms through the summer, and is often used as an edging plant for lavender and roses. The fruit usually ripens from July to September, and the seeds are very small, with about 1500 seeds per gram. The optimum germination temperature for the seeds is 15 to 20 degrees C, and the seeds remain viable for 1 year.
Sowing methods for catnip
1. Sowing: Catnip can be sown directly in the open field, with 1 to 3 seeds per hole. After sowing, cover the seeds lightly with vermiculite, and they will sprout in 10 to 14 days at 18 to 22 degrees. Provide appropriate shade after sowing, avoiding direct sunlight.
2. Germination: Bury catnip seeds in a tray already filled with soil, spray evenly with some water, place the tray in an incubator set to 25 degrees, and after 24 to 30 hours of cultivation they will sprout.
How to grow catnip
1. Potting soil mix: For growing catnip, sandy loam or deep loam with plenty of sunlight and good drainage is best. The flower pot should be of a moderate size, and the soil can be made up of one third humus soil plus two thirds garden soil.
2. Transplanting time: 4 to 6 weeks after catnip sprouts, transplant 1 to 3 seedlings into 11 to 15 cm pots for final planting. Afterwards, repot as appropriate according to growth, and a suitable pot size will help the root system grow.
3. Reasonable fertilizing: Catnip has moderate fertilizer needs. When planting in well-drained soil, mix in 2 kg of slow-release fertilizer per cubic meter, and apply one to two dilute liquid feeds per week.
4. Watering management: Catnip likes moisture and its roots are fairly sensitive to water, but it fears waterlogging. After transplanting, apply a fungicide once to prevent the roots from fungal infection. In summer, water every day, and in winter be careful to control water.
5. Pruning and disease prevention: Catnip is very trailing and must be pruned at any time. The more frequently it is pruned, the better it grows. Moreover, catnip is generally not affected by pests and diseases, so there is usually no need to use insecticides.