stevia

I'm new to growing stevia--having only one plant that is growing well, but am wondering if the quality is going to be worth it as I've heard its not very sweet compared to what you can buy. Any info or sugestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Yoshi

Stevia grown from seed can vary in sweetness, which is why it is usually grown from cuttings. If yours was propagated from a cutting, it is probably from a plant known to be sweet. Just taste it and you will know if it is sweet.

Thanks fun--tried a leaf, its kind of sweet but nothing to write Baskin-Robbins about. But its only July and maybe it will improve. Also

i want to grow stevia!!

I want to grow stevia also. Where did you get the seed from. I haven't seen it anywhere around.

Lowes has it. You can pull a leaf off and taste it, it is so sweet.

Yipee, I will have to go to Lowes soon. I read that the leaves should be boiled, & the water will be very sweet. Then you can use the water like a syrup I suppose to sweeten your tea.

Does lowes have seeds or do you have to get a starter plant? I prefer seeds, I don't trust those little plants to not go into shock and die on me.

I got some seeds here.. Fantastic service and price!!!
http://www.cherrygal.com/garden-c-12.html

I heard you can just put a leaf in the coffee basket while brewing to sweeten coffee! I'm gonna try it with Sun Tea.

I bought seeds this year from Territorial Seed, and had great germination. I had some older seeds that only had about 10% germination. I've grown this herb for a couple of years....the trick seems to be that you need to have really fresh seed. Of course, in my zone I need to start plants indoors ( and the germination rate is notoriously low). Once they get going, though, the plants seem to do really well. I've not tried propagation from cuttings, but may try that this year.

Hey mom2goldens .... I've got a brother in Fishers...which if I remember right is NOT too far from your LOVELY little town.

What is stevia? A veggie? thanks. Belle

Belle, stevia is actually an herb, sometimes called "sweet herb". It's leaves are used as a replacement for sugar. Most commonly, the leaves are dried and powdered to use. It's on the order of something like 200x sweeter than sugar. Commercially, it can be found in your grocery store under the brand name of "Truvia".

Jan, we are indeed just a few miles from Fishers. In fact, when we first moved out to Indiana we lived in Fishers. That was 20 years ago, and we were moving here from Chicago. Fishers was such a small town back then, and there was not a lot between Fishers and the city limits of Indy. I remember as our real estate agent was driving us up there, I said to my husband "I don't WANT to live out in the country". How quickly things have grown up in that area!

There are stevia seeds on sale now at the market place. belle