HOW TO GROW STEVIA PLANTS

Growing of Stevia plant is not an easy task. Stevia is considered as a difficult herb to grow, but it has proved to be quite adaptable and capable of being cultivated in climate zones as diverse as Florida and southern Canada. 

If you are growing stevia for the first time keep in mind that it does well in containers. It can be used as a ground powder or liquid in baking or in desserts. If you are planning to grow it inside surface sow seed 8 weeks before the last frost date. Germinate them using gentle bottom heat. It is very necessary to provide good drainage and overwatering should be avoided. After all risk of frost is overcome plant the stevia plants outside but 8 inches apart into a full sun location. If you wish to over winter the plants inside, remove the plants from your garden before the temperature drops below 10 degrees C. Use containers to grow these plants for best results. Leaves can be used (fresh or dried) directly in hot drinks. The length of the plants should be 24 inches.

 The complete procedure of growing stevia is explained below –

1.   Sowing of Seeds - It is best to propagate stevia plants from cuttings or tissue culture from a successful plant. Germination success of stevia plant from seed normally has a very low percentage. Sometimes the percentage is only 10%. The increase in germination success percentage depends on the selection of the seeds. If we select dark seeds and plant only those seeds - germination should exceed to 85%. Sweetness of stevia depends on the type of seeds we are using.

2.   Care and Growing - Stevia should be planted in the spring after the soil temperature reaches 65 deg F., in full sun and in a light, sandy, open, well drained soil with neutral pH. Fertilizer should be of standard quality for better results. To keep roots cool, preserve water, keeps the leave clean from soil (prevents dirty taste in green powder) and hold down weeds apply a layer of mulch, such as grass clippings, or bark mulch. Avoid weeding around mature stevia plants as their branches are brittle and can be easily broken. Overwatering should be avoided after transplanting and in winter as houseplant. Keep evenly moist during summer heat. Drip or soaker hose are very effective for summer watering.

3.   Harvesting – It is recommended to harvest entire plant as flower buds appear. Harvest only in the morning for highest sugar content, whether pinching tips or harvesting entire plants. The full harvest season will occur in late September or early October. Harvesting is done by cutting the entire plant at the base. With a rubber band, tie loose branches together and hang upside down to dry under warm, dark, drafty conditions for 2-4 days. Usage of food dehydrators should be avoided or open oven doors as this will also tend to cause a bitter flavor. Remove all the small branches and grind leaves into powder using an electric coffee grinder for 25-30 seconds. The final product is ready for usage.

STEVIA – A SWEET MEDICINE

Stevia plant is best known as a source of natural sweeteners. It is mainly found in South America. Native people in South America have used stevia as a sweetener for hundreds of years. Apart from a sweetener it is also an herbal medicine. 

Properties of Stevia –

1.   Antibacterial

2.   Antifungal

3.   Anti-inflammatory

4.   Anti-microbial

5.   Anti-viral

6.   Cardio tonic

7.   Diuretic

8.   Hypoglycemic

Due to its extraordinary properties stevia is a boon to the people who are suffering from diabetes. The leaves of stevia plant contain diterpene glucosides with a sweet taste but which are not metabolized and contain no calories.

Uses of Stevia Plant –

1.   It is a natural sweetener.

2.    Stevia can also be used as a flavoring to sweeten recipes, and it will not caramelize, brown or crystallize as sugar will. So the recipe will be more perfect.

3.   In the fresh state stevia leaves can be directly used for making tea and coffee.

4.   Their extract and powder can be used in various recipes.

5.   Stevia plants are a healthy sweetening agent for diabetics and other people who are very concerned about the sugar intake.

6.   It is helpful in improving dental health, treating bleeding gums and other teeth problems.

7.   As stevia plants are enriched with various nutrients it is beneficial for the skin and hair.

8.   Stevia has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, so application of fresh leaves or extracts of stevia plants helps in quick healing of cuts and wounds.

9.   As stevia contains 0 calories it will be very effective in weight control.

More Advantages of Stevia –

·         It is a non synthetic product.

·         It can be used in its natural state.

·         Due to its more power, a very less quantity is required.

·         It is non – toxic in nature

·         It enhances the flavor of any recipe.

·         It is non-fermentative in nature.

·         It does not have any bitterness.

·         It is clinically tested and do not have many side effects.

Side Effects of Stevia –

1.   Allergy - Stevia might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae /Compositae family of plants.

2.   Lowers the blood sugar - Some of the chemicals contained in stevia might lower blood sugar levels and could interfere with blood sugar control. So it is very important to regularly monitor the sugar level if you are using stevia plant.

3.   Lowers the blood pressure – Some of the chemicals that are present in stevia might cause blood pressure to drop too low in people who have low blood pressure. So if you are having a low blood pressure problem consult your doctor before using stevia.

Accurate dose of Stevia –

The appropriate dose of stevia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. Always keep one thing in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and so the dosage is very important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Short Description- Stevia is an extraordinary sweet herb, obtained by a natural selective breeding process of the sweetest Stevia parent plants. It is interesting to note that the dried leaves of Stevia are about 40 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia Plants- their plantation and use

Stevia Plants are used for making powder or is used as refined plants for sweetening purposes. The plant can be cultivated easily if it is provided with moistened fine soil and the seeds are left to germinate for two to three weeks. The seed should be left for germination at not more than 2 or 3 mm. care is needed for proper growth of SteviaPlants. A Stevia Plant is sensitive to cold and demands proper watering and conditions for proper growth. A  Stevia Plant can be grown on dry soil and is sensitive o sun. proper growth is achieved by exposing the plant to the sun. One condition that is very necessary for the proper growth of plant is the presence of phosphates in the soil. The plants growth Is considered as slow as compared to other plants. The Harvesting of the plant can be done for five times in a year if the plant is given proper care and watering. After each harvest, the plant should be cut at ground level and the harvest of five times in a year can be done for six years from the growth of the Stevia Plant. The plant can be regenerated for six years from the time it is grown and grows up a meter when harvesting is required. The total dry weight of the full grown plant is 70 gm and the leaves of the plant weigh 15 to 35 gm.

Precautions with Stevia Plants

The plant was earlier considered as Toxic and the credit goes to the Japanese for proving that the plant is not toxic and the discovery has enabled other countries also in using the plant for food additives. Some countries that include Canada have yet not legalized the used of Stevia Plants extract for food additive purposes. The worries of several nations are not entirely baseless. The use of the Stevioside extracts injures the reproduction and potential threat of Carcinogenic diseases is there which worry the health authorities. The Stevia Plant is used as high abortive plants. And the doses are considered as high doses. After studying the reports, the World Health Organization gave its verdict on 2006 that the use of Stevia Plants has no negative effect and does not hampers reproduction or it is also not carcinogenic. The safe daily use of the Stevia Plant Extracts is set at 10 mg for every kg of the body weight. This means that the limit for a person weighing 70 kg is 700 mg. this signifies that the people who consume Stevia Leaf extracts or the Stevia Plant powder, the limit of consumption is 50mg per kg and 3500 mg of the extract is the limit that can be taken by the humans.

Diabetes and Stevia

People who suffer from type 2 diabetes can consume the extracts of the SteviaPlants for controlling their diabetes but should also check their body glucose regularly for deciding on their medication. For taking Stevia Plant Extract, regular check on the blood pressure is necessary for the diabetic people.