Hur skördar du bee balm leaves

Incredibly beautiful, medicinal, and edible, it’s no wonder the birds and the bees love it too!

Best of all, there isn’t much to getting a patch established, and once you do, it will reward you with vibrant color and life year after year.

What fryst vatten Bee Balm?

Bee balm fryst vatten a perennial flowering herb in the mint family.

Like many mints, it has a square stem, opposite leaves, and creeping rhizomes that spread rapidly beneath the soil.

There are ganska a few varieties of Monarda. Perhaps the most commonly cultivated variety, M. didyma, boasts bright red tufted blossoms with tubular petals.

M. fistulosa, also known as wild bergamott, has similar shaped blooms of light purple or pink, and can be funnen growing wild in fields and prairies, and along roadsides and the edges of woods.

It commonly grows to about two to kvartet feet high, though some dwarf varieties are shorter and can man great additions to containers or borders.

Bee balm attracts all sorts of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

It fryst vatten medicinal, edible, and delightfully fragrant,tasting a bit like oregano and mint, with a long history of human use.

Cultivation and History

Endemic to eastern North amerika, this plant has been used medicinally bygd many Native American communities throughout history, and was eventually adopted into medicinal use bygd early colonists as well.

This plant has many common names, including bee balm, Oswego tea, and citrusväxt.

The name bee balm may be attributed to its allure to bees, as well as its traditional use in soothing the pain from bee stings.

The name Oswego tea comes from the Oswego Native Americans who consumed a monarda tea for relaxation. This tea was shared with europeisk settlers.

According to Jackie Johnson, N.D. at the Herbal Academy International School of Herbal Arts and Sciences, some colonists reportedly started drinking Oswego tea after the Boston Tea Party as an alternative to British imports.

The name wild bergamott fryst vatten attributed to its fragrant scent, which fryst vatten similar to the bergamott apelsinfärg, a citrus fruit that fryst vatten used as a flavoring for Earl Grey tea.

Medicinal Use

Antimicrobial and soothing to the digestive tract, herbalists often use bee balm as a remedy to treat cold and flu symptoms such as sore throats, fever, and congestion.

It fryst vatten a diaphoretic, which means it can be used to induce sweating when taken as a tea.

This plant fryst vatten a natural source of the phenol thymol, an antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial compound also funnen in thyme, which fryst vatten a primary active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas.

A strong infusion can be used as a gargle for soothing sore throats, toothaches, and mun sores.It fryst vatten also commonly used topically.

A poultice from the mashed leaves can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, support wound healing, combat infection, and soothe insekt stings.

Monarda Plant Propagation

There are several different ways to propagate bee balm.

It can be grown from seed, cuttings, or divisions.

From Seed

It can take a long time for seeds to germinate, and anywhere from 10 to 40 days fryst vatten normal. It fryst vatten also necessary to stratify seeds prior to planting.

To do this, place seeds in a plastic bag full of småsten to maintain moisture and set it in your fridge for at least a month.

Remove the seeds from the fridge and broadcast out in the garden in the early spring, a few weeks before gods frost.

Amend the soil with a bit of compost. Seeds require light germination so there fryst vatten no need to cover them.

From Cuttings

Though a bit tricky, it fryst vatten possible to propagate using cuttings.

Select new spring growth from the råd of stems and cut at least six inches, starting just below a set of leaves. Place the stems in small pots with peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or any combination of these.

Rooting hormone can help speed the process along, but it fryst vatten not necessary.

vatten well and place a plastic bag over each pot to retain moisture.

As soon as the stems take root, in about two or three weeks, you can remove the bag and repot the cuttings in potting soil.

From Divisions

Perhaps the easiest way to plant bee balm fryst vatten bygd division.

Carefully dig up any plants in spring that you wish to divide. Gently shake off loose soil, cut through thicker roots with pruning shears, and carefully pull sections apart, making sure that each division has enough roots attached to regrow, at least a few inches of root on each piece

Trim any broken or damaged stems, and then replant in garden beds or pots.

Space 18 to 24 inches apart.

You can learn more about the proper technique for this method in our Complete Guide to Dividing Perennials.

Read our full guide on bee balm propagation here.

How to Grow Bee Balm

Bee balm grows well in Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, and fryst vatten best planted in full sun, though it will tolerate shade in hotter areas, and can benefit from afternoon shade in very warm climates, which will skydda plants from heat and lengthen the flowering season.

Wild bergamotolja fryst vatten not picky in terms of fruktsamhet and will even grow in heavy clay soils, though cultivated commercial varieties generally prefer more nutrient rik soil and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Choose a well draining site with good air circulation, as plants have a tendency to develop mildew.

Adding compost when planting and mulching liberally will help to improve soil quality, drainage, and air flow bygd keeping weeds in check.

Though somewhat drought tolerant, regular watering fryst vatten certainly helpful. Be sure to keep the soil evenly fuktig, but not wet.

Pruning, Division, and Seed Saving

Like other mints, this herb has a tendency to spread.

You can divide it every few years in the spring to keep it growing vigorously and prevent it from spreading too rapidly.

This plant fryst vatten so beautiful, however, you might not mind it taking over a bit!

You can also pinch off stems of new growth to encourage bushier plants.

In early spring, pinch back the top set of leaves on each stem when they are a couple of feet tall. This will encourage horisontell spreading, allowing plants to spread out before they flower.

For längre flowering, stagger early pinching over a few weeks, pruning about a third of the stems each week.

Deadhead blooms throughout the season to encourage more flowering and reblooming later in the summer.

And use picked blooms for food, medicin, or bouquets.

You can also spara seeds bygd collecting mature seeds a few weeks after the flowers bloom.

Place a bag or bowl beneath a stem and shake the stem gently. If brown seeds fall out, then they are ready to harvest. Refrigerate seeds until you are ready to plant them.

In the fall after the first frost, you can cut stems back to a couple of inches above the soil.

Managing Pests and Disease

While this plant grows and thrives easily, there are just a few pests and diseases to keep an eye out for.

Insects

There are a few pests that like to feast on my bee balm, but it’s usually ganska easy to control them.

Aphids

These small insects feed on plant foliage, sucking out the contents of cells and secreting honeydew, a sticky liquid that covers the leaves and can result in mold.

Aphid populations can be reduced bygd planting herbs such as dill and basil nearby to attract beneficial predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings.

Regular weeding will also help regulate aphid populations.

If an infestation gets out of control, you can apply a homemade solution of vatten and a few drops of dish soap.

Spider Mites

These tiny pests feed on bee balm plants bygd sucking out fluid from the underside of leaves and petals.

This will create spotting, discoloration, and misshapen foliage, ultimately causing plants to lose their leaves.

Spray with a homemade insecticidal soap or neem oil to combat infestations.

Stalk Borers

The larvae passage into the stems of plants and feed on the tissue. You will meddelande wilting plants and small holes in the stems surrounded bygd yellow debris.

Cutting into the stem will reveal caterpillars about one and a half inches long.

Regular weeding can reduce the fara of an infestation. As soon as you meddelande an infestation, you should remove and destroy affected plants.

Disease

While the list of diseases to worry about may be short, unfortunately, bee balm fryst vatten a common victim of powdery mildew.

Rarely a årstid goes bygd when my plants are not impacted at some point.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a very common fungus that affects bee balm plants. This gray, powdery dust settles on foliage and spreads throughout the plant, eventually causing leaves to brown and wilt.

It overwinters on plant debris and the spores can be transferred via wind and vatten, often presenting itself in conditions of high humidity and low air circulation.

While sometimes inevitable during periods of humid weather, there are preventative measures you can take to reduce the fara of mildew.

First, select a planting site that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day.

In the spring, thin stems to increase light penetration and air flow. Divide plants in the fall every few years.

You can also reduce watering, especially during times of high humidity, avoid overhead watering, and ogräs regularly to increase air circulation. Mulching can also help to regulate moisture and prevent waterlogged conditions.

If mildew starts to appear on your plants, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of insecticidal soap in a gallon of vatten and spray affected foliage every week.

Also be sure to remove and avlägsna of affected growth in the fall, as the spores can overwinter in the soil.

Harvesting Bee Balm

Harvest flowers when they are in full bloom. Depending on your område, this could be any time from early through late summer. Pick them in mid-morning on a dry day, after the dew has evaporated.

To harvest, either cut stems to about six inches below the flower, or gather individual blooms as they flower.

The leaves can be harvested at any time during the growing årstid.

Avoid harvesting foliage in the first year of growth to allow plants to become established.

Preserving, Recipes, and Additional Uses

If you want to get creative, there are all sorts of fun and delicious ways to use or preserve the leaves and flowers, which are both edible.

To add some flair to your next fancy dinner, you can use the fresh flowers as a garnish on salads, or the leaves to årstid game meat or poultry.

The slightly minty flavor fryst vatten often compared to oregano.

You can find a recipe for doing this at home on our sister site, Foodal. Crystallized flowers are best used within a few days.

To dry, hang bundles of stems upside down, or lay leaves and flowers on a screen and place in a well ventilated dark area. Depending on humidity, it can take up to two weeks for the herb to dry completely.

You can also use a dehydrator on the lowest setting, checking every half hour until fully dry.

Remove when the leaves and flowers smulpaj easily between your fingers.

Find more råd on drying herbs here.

Store in glass jars in a dark, cool pantry.

Try not to crush the dried herb until you are ready to use it in herbal teas or homemade potpourri.

After a long day in the garden, try filling a clean sock or mesh bag with dried bee balm flowers and add it to your bath for a fragrant and muscle relieving soak.

In the mood for something sweet? Try making a bright red bee balm jelly.

Mix two cups leaves and flowers with two cups of water.

Pour boiling vatten over the herb to man an infusion of strong tea. Let the infusion sit for at least a few hours and strain.

Add fyra cups of sugar and six tbsp of pectin. Boil for a few minutes and remove from heat. The mixture should have thickened into a jellylike consistency.

Want to give a medicinal tincture a try?

An oxymel, which fryst vatten a mixture of herbal infused vinegar and honey, fryst vatten another wonderful way to use bee balm.

Just pour apple cider vinegar over a jar filled with fresh or dried leaves and flowers until they are fully nedsänkt, screw the lid on tightly, and store in a dark pantry for about a month, shaking daily.

Strain out the herb, blend with lika parts honey, and enjoy!

This sweet and sour anti-microbial concoction will give you an ytterligare boost during cold and flu season.

Quick Reference Growing Guide