Growing Stevia
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Latfi
Posted on: September 29, 2009

I wish to know how to take care of stevia plants.

They like rich, sandy, moist soil and will do well on the edges of muck soil that is acid and fertile.

When do I apply fertilizer and what type of fertilizer?

We use liquid fertilizer at a very weak rate at every watering.

Do enzymes have any effect on the plant growth?

It all depends on what enzyme you apply. For instance ethyl alcohol causes leaf abscission. The plant produces it in the fall to initiate dormancy. There are many other plant enzymes with each a different effect.

How do I reduce the flowering?

Nip out any flowers you see forming and use them for sweetening. Be sure to apply a high nitrogen fertilizer (high first number eg 20-10-10). This encourages vegetative growth.

Why does my stevia turn yellowish green and later brownish in colour?

If the plant is trying to bloom it will take nutrients from the rest of the plant for that and the deprived part dies. Check the pH in case it is too alkaline or maybe too acid. It will grow in pH of 4-8 bt does best at pH of 6.5

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