A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Lemon Balm
The scientific name of lemon balm is Menthia crispa, also known as mint balsam, bee balsam, bee balm, lemon bee balm, etc. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a dormant root system in the Lamiaceae family, Mentha genus, native to the Mediterranean coast, and can be found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia. Its main production area is in France. It gets its name because it can absorb toxic and harmful gases from indoor air. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for lemon balm below!
The Cultivation Value of Lemon Balm
1. Stimulates Appetite: Lemon balm's refreshing and sweet taste is suitable for drinking when you have a cold or during sweaty summers. It can stimulate appetite and promote digestion, and is suitable both before and after meals. Using it to replace lemon seasoning is the best way to stimulate appetite, and it is suitable for adding to all kinds of dishes and desserts. With a fresh fragrance like lemon, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothaches, has a pain-relieving effect, regulates respiratory system diseases, stabilizes mood, and helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases.
2. Purifies Air: Lemon balm can absorb toxic and harmful gases from indoor air, such as formaldehyde, radon gas, benzene gas, ammonia gas, sulfur dioxide, as well as smoke odor, peculiar smells, carbon dioxide, etc. It releases negative ions quickly and disinfects and sterilizes. Place one large pot per 10 to 15 square meters, and one small pot per 8 square meters. After decorating a new house or new furniture, open all the doors and drawers of the new furniture, and after 72 hours there will be a noticeable feeling of elimination.
Propagation Methods of Lemon Balm
1. Seed Propagation: Directly sow seeds, 3 to 5 seeds per hole. When the plant height reaches 5 cm, thin the seedlings to promote growth. When the plant height reaches 80 cm, fertilizer can be applied to allow the leaves and stems to grow fully. The soil must not be too moist, so as not to affect plant growth. Plant spacing is 40 to 60 cm. When the plant height is 5 cm, separate the seedlings. When the plant height grows to 2 m, the plants can be gradually spaced apart as they grow, and the plants will grow more luxuriantly. Fertilize once per season and water thoroughly.
2. Cutting Propagation: Cutting propagation involves cutting off a section of a long lemon balm plant, inserting it into soft flower soil, watering it, placing it in a cool place, and spraying water every day. After some time, the lemon balm will take root and survive.
3. Division Propagation: This means waiting until the lemon balm has grown very large, then dividing the root into two halves.
Cultivation Methods for Lemon Balm
1. Sunlight: Lemon balm prefers bright light. If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight exposure, and normal indoor ventilation is sufficient. If the room lighting is not very good, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, place the lemon balm indoors for 72 hours, then move it to a place with sufficient sunlight, and after 72 hours or so put it back. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and exchange air.
2. Temperature: Lemon balm cultivation does not have high temperature requirements. In winter it can tolerate low temperatures below 0°C, but in summer growth is limited by high temperatures above 30°C. The most suitable growth temperature is between 10 and 20°C.
3. Watering: Lemon balm can be watered with clean water or rice-washing water every 3 to 5 days. If the branches and leaves wilt due to lack of water, replenish water immediately and they will recover quickly. A general commonly used plant nutrient solution can be used to supplement nutrients.
4. Pruning: Lemon balm grows very quickly. It is recommended to prune it once a week. Simply cut above the new leaves growing on the higher nodes. If black-edged leaves or old leaves at the base appear, do not worry, just pull them off.
5. Pests: Lemon balm can emit volatile oils with sterilizing effects and can absorb harmful gases, so pest problems basically do not occur. As long as the water, light, and temperature needed for lemon balm growth are maintained, it will be fine.
Precautions for Cultivating Lemon Balm
1. Lemon balm can be hydroponically cultivated. Just pay attention to suitable light, temperature, frequent water changes, and adding some nutrient solution or granular fertilizer. For soil cultivation, the soil must first be rinsed clean and then disinfected before hydroponic cultivation.
2. Lemon balm grows slowly in winter, so do not prune too much. If you do prune it, be sure to place it in a place with sufficient sunlight.
3. As long as the soil is not dry, there is no need to water. If it is dry, then it must be watered thoroughly.
4. When placed in the home to absorb toxic gases, after each use, place it in a place with good sunlight and ventilation, and wait until it has absorbed sunlight and exchanged air before using it again.
Summary: Lemon balm is a plant that is relatively beneficial to the home air environment. Cultivating it at home can absorb harmful gases and release negative oxygen ions, which is relatively good for human health. Moreover, the cultivation method is simple, and it is best to place a few pots when decorating the home.