Alchimia Grow Shop presents Rocalba Balm Seeds, an aromatic plant with an intense aroma ideal for cultivation on a growing table, a vegetable garden or pots and planters.
Rocalba Balm, aromatic plant with citric aromas
Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial plant that belongs to the Laminaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and southern Europe. It is consumed as an infusion offering a calming effect. It is also used in perfumery thanks to its citric terpenes profile.
It produces herbaceous, flexible and crawling stems that can reach up to 70cm tall. It produces opposing quite wide petiolated leaves of about 9cm long with a serrated edge and a hairy layer that provides a soft and slightly velvety touch.
It is germinated at late spring, as it needs a temperature of about 20ºC and some light but no direct sunlight. They can be sown directly both in open ground and in a small pot. Place a few seeds and cover them with a soil layer rich in worm humus, cover them with a maximum of three times the seeds' thickness and then water them.
Rocalba Balm, attracts bees and repels pests
In about 2-3 weeks the seedlings start to sprout. In about a month and a half, the young plants are well formed and ready to be transplanted to the final location. They should be placed in a semi shady place with a 30cm x 30cm planting frame.
This plant adapts easily to all types of soil, although it prefers loose, rich and well-drained ones. It doesn't withstand cold and frost well, although it tolerates drought relatively well. It produces an intense aroma that attracts bees while repelling pests, greatly reducing the needs for the use of organic phytosanitary products.
After about 65-70 days stems and leaves can be harvested. Harvesting can be done throughout the year, with the ideal period before flowering begins. This ensures that it conserves as much essential oil as possible. The stems are cut about 3cm above the ground to allow them to grow back.
Rocalba Balm info:
- Sachet: 1g of seeds
- Perfect for open ground and pot cultivation
- Germination: Late spring
- Requires a warm temperature of at least 20ºC
- Germination directly in open ground or in a seedbed
- Planting frame: 30cm x 30cm
- Up to 70cm
- Prefers sun and shade
- It benefits from loose, rich and drained soils, although it is very adaptable
- Cannot withstand cold or frost, but tolerates drought
- Harvest: stems and leaves from 70 days after transplanting, ideally before flowering
