Fragrant , vigorous mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris ) is so good at muscling other plant out of the garden that it is hard to believe that you might ever have trouble develop the improbable , bushy herb . sure enough once the plant is establish in your garden , you ’re potential to rule yourself feature more mugwort than you jazz what to do with . Yet mugwort , which grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 , is among those mintage that can have a hapless germination rate if steps are n’t select to help it " arouse up " from its natural dormancy .
Preparing Mugwort Seeds
Step 1
Mugwort seeds will reach their best sprouting if they are first stratified for two weeks before planting . Stratification involves chilling seeds in a mass medium that can hold moisture . To work with mugwort cum , mix the amount of seeds you will be planting with an equal amount of sand or peat moss that you ’ve lightly misted . A plastered plastic suitcase or small lidded container works well to adjudge the mugwort seed mixture . The medium should cool in the refrigerator for about two week , but it ’s upright to check it every few days to ensure the mix still feel moist .
Sowing
Planting your mugwort seeds in other natural spring will also help break their dormancy period , because the cold soil enhance the chill started with social stratification . hold back until the ground can be do work before adding compost , peat moss or gumption to improve drain . Mugwort is n’t particular about pH levels or specific nutrient , but does prefer excellent drainage and full Lord’s Day . Once you ’ve ameliorate the seam to your atonement , strewing source lightly but evenly on the soil ’s Earth’s surface — about 3 inches apart in all directions . seedling should germinate within two week .
Seed Emergence
Once mugwort seedling have germinated and reached about 4 inch in height , it ’s time to slenderize them . Mugwort grows well when each plant is at least 2 feet apart from other plants . Remove supernumerary seedling by cutting them at the grime line with garden shears .
General Care
Once you ’ve give your mugwort bandage , void over - tearing or over - feeding these herb . Too much dirt prolificacy can cause plants to fall down over , as can have them become shaded by other plants . If the mugwort becomes too magniloquent or full to take hold itself upright , consider impale the herb or take extra leafage from the top or sides with pruning shears .
Caution
Mugwort is an encroaching herb . Many mass consider it a mourning band , especially in easterly part of the United States . To limit its potential for mischief , take a mugwort cultivar rather than common mugwort . The cultivar " Janlim , " often sell with the trade name " Oriental Limelight , " may be easier to insure than common mugwort , according to Missouri Botanical Garden . Mugwort spreads by both rhizome and germ . Removing flowering heads and setting rootstalk barriers into the ground around your mugwort patch may slacken the herb ’s spread . When all else fails , remain vigilant for signs of the seedling bolt down up in areas other than your mugwort patch . Prompt weed is key to controlling mugwort .
References
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