What are the cultivation methods and precautions for lemon balm?
The scientific name of lemon balm is Melissa officinalis, also known as balm mint, bee balm, bee herb, lemon balm, and so on. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Melissa in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean coast, and can be found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia. Its main production area is 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!
The cultivation value of lemon balm
1. Appetite enhancement: The fresh and sweet taste of lemon balm makes it suitable for drinking during colds and in sweaty summers. It can enhance appetite and promote digestion, and is suitable both before and after meals. Used as a substitute for lemon seasoning, it is most effective at enhancing appetite, and is suitable for adding to all kinds of dishes and desserts. With a fresh fragrance like lemon, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothache, and has an analgesic effect. It helps regulate respiratory system diseases, stabilize mood, and helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases.
2. Air purification: Lemon balm can absorb toxic and harmful gases from indoor air, such as formaldehyde, radon, benzene gas, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, as well as smoke odor, peculiar smells, carbon dioxide, and so on. It releases negative ions quickly and disinfects and sterilizes. Place one large pot per 10 to 15 sq m, and one small pot per 8 sq m. After newly renovated homes and new furniture are finished, 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: Direct seed sowing, 3 to 5 seeds per hole. When the plant height reaches 5 cm, thinning is required to facilitate growth. When the plant height reaches 80 cm, fertilizer can be spread to allow the leaves and stems to grow fully. The water must not be too moist, so as not to affect plant growth. Plant spacing is 40 to 60 cm. Thin the seedlings when the plant height is 5 cm. When the plant height grows to 2 m, the plants can be gradually spaced out as they grow, and the plants will grow more luxuriantly. Fertilize once each season and water thoroughly.
2. Cuttage propagation: Cuttage propagation is 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 grows very large, then splitting the root into two halves.
Cultivation methods for lemon balm
1. Sunlight: Lemon balm likes bright light. If the room has good lighting, you can place the lemon balm in a place with sunlight, and normal indoor ventilation is sufficient. If the room lighting is not very good, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, then after placing the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, move it to a place with ample sunlight, and after 72 hours, or put it back again, and it will be fine. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outside the house 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 restricted at 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. For supplemental nutrient solution, commonly used general plant nutrient solution can be used.
4. Pruning: Lemon balm grows quickly. It is recommended to prune once a week. Just 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 give off volatile oil with bactericidal effects and can absorb harmful gases, so pest problems basically do not occur. As long as the water, light, temperature, and other conditions needed for lemon balm growth are maintained, it will be fine.
Precautions for lemon balm cultivation
1. Lemon balm can be grown hydroponically. 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. Do not prune too much. If you do prune it, be sure to place it in a place with ample sunlight.
3. As long as the soil is not dry, there is no need to water. If it is dry, 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 use it again after it has absorbed sunlight and exchanged air.
Summary: Lemon balm is a plant that is relatively beneficial to the home air environment. Grown at home, it can absorb harmful gases and release negative oxygen ions, which is relatively good for human health. Moreover, its cultivation method is simple, and it is best to place several pots when decorating a home.