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Cultivation of khatmi - Althea officinalis Linn.

khatmi :

khatmi : Althea officinalis Linn.

Cultivation:

Plants are hardy to about -25°c
Succeeds in almost any soil and situation, though it prefers a rich moist soil in a sunny position. It also tolerates fairly dry soil conditions




Propogation:

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer, the germination is often erratic. Stratification can improve germination rates and time. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[].
Division in spring or autumn. Fairly easy, it is best to pot up the divisions in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away well and then plant them out into their permanent positions.
Root cuttings in early winter.




Harvesting:

The root is best harvested in the autumn, preferably from 2 year old plants, and is dried for later use. Nonlignified roots of the second years growth, which are washed and cut into cubes or powdered, are used for pharmaceutical purposes
The leaves are harvested in August when the plant is just coming into flower and can be dried for later use


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