NL8901067A - Edible plant growth method - germinates seeds on nutrient base - Google Patents

Abstract

The method grows edible plants reaching a height of more than 15 cm when fully grown. Seeds are placed on a nutrient base at the rate of one or more per sq.cm. and caused to germinate. When the plants have grown two or more leaves and extend to 15 cm, they are harvested. Peat moss can be used as the base, and germination can be at 15 to 24 deg.C. By vaporising water a relative humidity of 100 percent can be generated.

Description

Method for growing edible plants as well as containers with vegetable material thus grown.

The invention relates to a method for growing edible plants, which normally reach a height of more than 15 cm in the adult state.

It has been found that an extremely attractive vegetable product can be obtained by sowing closely together certain species of edible plants, which are normally grown to a height of more than 15 cm, and to a considerably lower height than the normal height. grow up.

The invention therefore relates to a method as mentioned in the preamble, by: a. Placing seed on a nutrient medium, such that one or more seeds are present per cm2; b. germinate the seed into seedlings; c. to cultivate the seedlings to the stage of at least two leaves and a height of maximum 15 cm; d. harvest the cultivated seedlings.

Plants of the following species are particularly suitable for the process of the invention: Perilla Arguta (Shiso purple), Perilla Ocium Frutescens (Shiso green), Brassica Sinapis Alba (mustard), Eruca Vesicaria Spp Sativa (Rocket), Raphanus Sativis L Longipina loop (Daikon cherry), Brassica juncea, sorrel, Basil (dark Opal) and Cryptotaenia Japonica.

Surprisingly, the plants grown according to the method of the invention have an excellent taste and an attractive color, which is highly appreciated by both the housewife and the catering industry. In particular, the above mentioned species have the following characteristics:

Shiso purple - perfumed taste, color deep purple; Shiso green - strongly perfumed taste, color green; mustard - hot mustard flavor, color dark green, underside of the leaf is purple; rocket - nutty taste, color light green;

Daikon cherry - spicy fresh radish-like taste, color green;

Brassica Juncea - fresh spicy sour taste, color green with a purple purplish edge around the leaf.

Heretofore, the above types have been used for entirely different purposes. For example, the seeds of the “normally” grown Perilla plants are used for oil extraction. Brassica sinapis supplies mustard seeds. Eruca Vesicaria spp Sativa is grown and harvested as a relatively large plant, the others are used in salad. grow for at least 2 months Brassica juncea is a fairly unknown plant, also known as red mustard plant, which has hitherto been used as a leaf vegetable Raphanus sativus is used as a long rettich, also known as sprouting radish, similar to bean sprouts.

In order to arrive at the desired tender plants with the desired height in the method according to the invention, it is necessary to place 2-50, preferably 4-15 seeds per cm 2 on the nutrient medium in step a. It is further preferred to use trays in which the plants can be harvested immediately after growing up, for example 6x8 cm plastic trays. For example, in such containers the following numbers of seeds can be introduced for the various varieties: rocket - 600 - 700 Daikon cherry - 200 - 250 mustard - 600 - 625 Brassica juncea - 600 - 700 Shiso purple - 280 - 350 Shiso green - 280 - 350

In the method according to the invention a peat spagnum, for example "fin peat", is preferably used as a nutrient medium or growth medium. This is a natural product, which gives excellent rooting of the product. Growth and color development take place in a controlled manner, which is important, for example, for an even purple color at Shiso. The soil pH is preferably weakly acidic, for example 6 and water is added after sowing. It should be emphasized that the method according to the invention is environmentally friendly. An addition of fertilizers is not necessary.

Although cultivation on stone wool is possible in principle, this is not preferred because stone wool is considered to be environmentally polluting.

Step b. of the process, i.e. germination, preferably takes place at 15-24 ° C. A so-called germ cell is used for this, in which the relative humidity as well as the temperature can be set. Germination preferably takes place in the dark. During germination, a relative humidity of 100% will generally be maintained by atomizing water in the germ cell. These conditions are especially true for Daikon cherry, mustard, rocket and Brassica juncea. Shiso can be placed directly in the greenhouse, with a germination period of 6-8 days in summer and 9-11 days in winter.

All seeds are generally sown above ground.

When the seeds resp. seedlings are placed on the culture medium in the greenhouse (step c. of the method according to the invention), the temperature is preferably kept at a minimum of 15 ° C. Of course this temperature will be higher in the summer. A relative humidity of less than 70 ° C is aimed for.

φ.

The plants grown according to the invention generally have a specific number of leaves and a maximum permissible height (measured from the ground), which is summarized for a number of species below: type of number of leaves maximum height incl. Lob leaves preferably:

Daikonkers 2 14 cm mustard 2 9 cm

Rocket 2 6 cm

Brassica Juncea 2 8 cm

Shiso purple 4 to 6 11 cm (in initial stage)

Shiso green 4 to 6 11 cm (in initial stage)

With regard to growing conditions, it is further noted that it is preferable to keep the plants under so-called assimilation lighting at night. This applies to both summer and winter. Such an assimilation lighting is also desirable on dark days, which may occur in winter. This is necessary for optimal color and a squat product.

If a germ cell is not used, irregular germination and a more generous crop are often obtained. If no assimilation lighting is used, limp plants and a long-grating crop, poor color and irregular top are obtained, i.e. the plants are not the same size, which is undesirable. Yellowing of the crop often also occurs.

In the method according to the invention, the crops are preferably harvested in the cultivation trays. The appearance of the plants is important: it is desirable that all products have an even top and be uniform in color.

The invention therefore also relates to containers with vegetable material which have been cultivated according to the method described above. The plants are preferably harvested including the growing medium.

Claims (10)

A method for growing edible plants, which reach a height of more than 15 cm in the adult state, by: a. Placing seed on a nutrient medium, such that one or more seeds are present per cra; b. germinate the seed into seedlings; c. to cultivate the seedlings to the stage of at least two leaves and a height of maximum 15 cm; d. harvest the cultivated seedlings. The method of claim 1, wherein plants of the following species are grown: Perilla Arguta (Shiso purple), Perilla Ocium Frutescens (Shiso green), Brassica Sinapis Alba (mustard), Eruca Vesi-caria Spp Sativa (Rocket), Raphanus Sativis L Longipinalus (Daikonkers), Brassica juncea, sorrel, Basil (dark Opal) and Cryptotaenia Japonica. 3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in step a 2-50, preferably 4-15 seeds per cm 2, are placed on the nutrient medium. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Daikonkers, mustard, Rocket and Brassica juncea are grown to the stage of 2 leaves and a maximum height of 14 cm, 9 cm, 6 cm and 6 cm. 8 cm and Shiso purple and Shiso green to the stage of 4-6 leaves and a height of 11 cm. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein peat spagnum is used as a nutrient medium. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the germination in step b. takes place at 15-24 ° C. A method according to claim 6, wherein a relative humidity of 100% is maintained by atomizing water. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cultivation is carried out in step c. at a temperature above 15 ° C and a relative humidity below 70%. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cultivation is carried out in step c. at least for part of the culture period under artificial light. Containers with vegetable material, cultivated according to any one of the preceding claims.