Watercress Seed
Nasturtium officinale
- Far easier to grow than many think.
- Does not require running water to grow successfully.
- Can be grown in troughs, a damp spot in the garden - or the garden pond.
Supplied as a packet of approximately 300 seeds.
This Product is Available Now.GBP1 or more £1.75 each
Description
There are many myths surrounding the growing of watercress - the main two being that you a) need running water to be successful and b) the fear of liver fluke contamination; the reality is neither should be of concern.
Watercress does need moisture to grow well and, more importantly, to avoid flowering too prematurely but we have very successfully grown it in moist windowsill troughs indoors and larger pots outside - the important thing is to keep the compost thoroughly wet. For a more permanent bed you might consider lining an area with polythene before filling up with compost - thus creating a bog area.
With regard to liver fluke, this is only a problem where the water the watercress is growing in is from a supply contaminated by animal faeces - i.e. water run off from fields where sheep, etc. are grazing; a clean water source will guarantee no chance of a problem. But for those who remain concerned it is also worth remembering that watercress grows from the tips and the larval cercariae of the flukes cannot climb so will only be present (if at all) on the plants at around the water level.Thus the fresh tips and growth above water level should not be infected.
- Sow 3-4 seeds in pots of moist soil or compost.
- Sow in pots from April.
- Germinate at 8-15oC
- Very Lightly cover the seed once sown (or use a plastic cover).
- Grow on in moist conditions - soggy wet containers, a polythene-lined trench with mud and water, or even in the pond.
- Prefers a shady position to germinate.
- Pick regularly to ensure juvenility and to prevent premature flowering.
Pricing
This Product is Available Now.
General Information
A Note About Our Seed Packets & Seed Counts
Information on Victoriana's method of packeting seed, including information on the seed packets. Also details on Victoriana's seed guarantee.
