Content
Cold mint was transported to Russia in 1885 from England. On an industrial scale, it began to be cultivated only in 1938.
Description of cold mint
Cold mint belongs to the plants from the family Lipoceae. It reaches a height of 1 m, has a characteristic aroma and a cooling sensation when biting a leaf plate.
The rhizome of cold peppermint is horizontal, fibrous type, close to the surface of the earth. Stems are erect, but, in addition to them, the plant also develops creeping shoots of an aboveground or underground type.
At the base, the lower branches rise, have a tetrahedral shape. They are densely leafy, characterized by a dark purple hue.
The leaf plates are located opposite, ovate-lanceolate in shape, with sharp-edged edges, green in color.
Cold pink mint flowers are collected in the form of false whorls. Fruits are rarely formed, they consist of 4 nuts, placed in a cup.
The flowering period of cold mint lasts from June to September. Reproduction of the plant occurs by vegetative root segments or young shoots from a rhizome that has successfully endured winter frosts.
Seeds are rarely formed, have a low germination rate: from 10 to 25%. When using this method of cultivation, there is a high risk of getting a plant that does not inherit the maternal traits.
The use of English mint
The area of use of the plant is extensive: teas are brewed from it, medicines are made, added to decoctions and infusions according to folk recipes.
English mint is known for its analgesic and antiseptic, antispasmodic properties, so the plant is used in the form of menthol for the following diseases:
- neuralgic pain;
- angina pectoris;
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- toothache;
- epilepsy, depression;
- gynecological diseases;
- inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract.
Externally, the leaf plates of the plant are applied in the form of a poultice to ulcers, bites and ulcers.
The main dosage forms of cold mint are oil, decoctions and infusions, tablets, herbal preparations and others.
What is the flavor of cold mint
Despite its name, English mint has no resemblance to pepper. It contains a large amount of menthol, so it has an appropriate aroma and cooling taste, which then takes on burning shades. This is due to its properties, it dilates the blood vessels. Cold mint can be characterized as a plant that "cools the mouth, but warms up the intestines."
Where can I add cold mint
In addition to the plant's use in the medical industry, cold mint is added as a condiment to various dishes. Essential oil from it is used not only in the confectionery, but also in the perfumery industry. The resulting waste is not disposed of, but sent to livestock feed.
Add cold mint to cosmetic care formulations. It is used as a refreshing and bactericidal agent in toothpaste. It is possible to add the leaves of the culture to the aromatherapy mixture.
Landing rules
From the photo, it is easy to distinguish varieties of cold mint: there are black and white species. The principles of growing a crop are similar. In the black variety of mint, the shade of the stem and leaf plates is purple, in white cold mint, the leaves are light green in color.
On nitrogen-containing soil, the crop yield is higher. The plant is also demanding for moisture: it does not tolerate drought seasons. The optimum temperature for cultivation is + 18-20 ° C.
The perennial is resistant to frost, withstanding up to -10 ° C, but if the soil freezes, the plant quickly dies. When providing shelter, cold mint successfully resists frost down to -25 ° C.
The optimal time for planting a crop is late April or early May.
The seeds of cold mint are very small, do not germinate well, so they should be purchased only from trusted suppliers. Only mature, whole specimens are subject to planting.
Seed material is placed in containers with ventilation holes, placing them in the soil to a depth of 2-3 mm. They are sprinkled with earth on top and moistened with a spray bottle. Until sprouts appear, the containers should be stored on a draft-free windowsill, watering if necessary. The optimum temperature in the room is up to + 24 ° C. The first shoots appear 14 days after planting.
The seedlings should be transferred to open ground when the plant reaches a height of 6 cm. Before planting, the seedlings should be dived into separate pots and pre-hardened, taking the plant outside for several hours within 10-14 days.
Before planting cold mint in open ground, the site should be dug up and humus should be added to it according to the scheme: 3 kg per 1 m2... Together with it, it is recommended to add 2 tbsp to the soil. l. ash and 15 g of nitrate.
After the formation of the bed, grooves are prepared in it, keeping a distance of 20-30 cm between them.The row spacing should be 40 cm.The seedling is carefully removed from the container and placed in a hole, after which it is covered with earth and watered abundantly.
Growing features
Cold mint can grow on the site for up to 5 years, after which it needs a transplant. The bushes should be rejuvenated by pruning.
To prevent the spread of mint over the site, it is recommended to set restrictions in the form of a fence.
The plant loves moisture, but waterlogging has a disastrous effect on the root system, so watering is required as the soil dries out.
Weeding and loosening should be done regularly to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen to the roots. The minimum number of procedures is once a month.
Pests and diseases
The perennial is required to be protected from pest attacks. After the appearance of the first leaf plates, the appearance of a mint flea is possible. It damages leaves and becomes active during dry periods. Actellik's solution is used to destroy it.
The upper part of the aphid shoots is destroyed, and weevils are affected by the edges of the leaf plates. The activity of the meadow moth is extremely detrimental to the shoots of the plant.
For pest control, preference should be given to insecticides Fufanon, Karbofos, Decis.
The best prevention of a pest attack is a perennial transplant every 2 years.
Cold mint is susceptible to powdery mildew that attacks the leaf blades, leaving a white coating on them. For prevention, the soil should be dug up annually around the plant, and the perennial should be treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur.
For leaf spot, spray cold mint with Bordeaux liquid. The disease manifests itself as brown spots on the leaf plates.
When and how to collect mint
The maximum concentration of menthol in the plant is observed during the flowering period, therefore, it should be collected at this time.
Plant collection principles:
- the stem should be cut off with a sharp knife to a third of the length so that the cold mint can recover in the future;
- only healthy specimens should be collected;
- it is recommended to cut the plant on a sunny day without precipitation (excess moisture can provoke a decay process in the leaf plates);
- to prevent premature wilting, cut stems should be placed in a damp cloth and transferred indoors.
To preserve all the beneficial properties of a plant, it must be properly processed.
How to dry cold mint properly
After harvesting, shoots with leaves should be washed and dried thoroughly. To do this, it is collected in bunches and suspended in a ventilated room. Avoid sun exposure to cold mint. The bunches should not be large, otherwise there is a high risk of leaf rot.
If it is impossible to hang the bundles, the stems are laid out on a layer of newspaper or fabric, then periodically turned over so that they dry out evenly.
Most often the drying process takes 7 days. To check the readiness of the raw material, it is necessary to break the stem. Leaves that are ready to eat break easily.
Store cold mint in a closed container away from the sun for 1 year. If it is impossible to dry the leaves, it is recommended to freeze them: all the beneficial properties of the plant will be preserved.
Conclusion
Cold mint is a plant known for its healing properties. A wide range of applications and unpretentious care are common reasons for the cultivation of perennials on the site. The harvested crop can be saved for the winter.
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