Content
Cold mint was transported to Russia in 1885 from England. It began to be cultivated on an industrial scale only in 1938.
Description of cold mint
Cold mint belongs to plants from the Lamiaceae family. It reaches a height of 1 m, has a characteristic aroma and a cooling sensation if you bite into the leaf blade.
The rhizome of cold peppermint is horizontal, fibrous, and located close to the surface of the earth. The stems are erect, but, in addition to them, the plant also develops creeping shoots of an aboveground or underground type.
At the base, the lower branches rise and have a tetrahedral shape. They are densely leafy and have a dark purple hue.
The leaf blades are arranged oppositely, ovate-lanceolate in shape, with sharp-serrate edges, and green in color.
Cold mint flowers are pink in color, collected in the form of false whorls. The fruits are formed rarely and consist of 4 nuts placed in a cup.
The flowering period of cold mint lasts from June to September.Reproduction of the plant occurs by vegetative root segments or young shoots from rhizomes that have successfully survived winter frosts.
Seeds are rarely produced and have low germination rate: from 10 to 25%. When using this growing method, there is a high risk of obtaining a plant that has not inherited its maternal characteristics.
Uses of English mint
The area of use of the plant is extensive: teas are brewed from it, medicines are made, and added to decoctions and infusions according to folk recipes.
English mint is known for its analgesic, antiseptic, and antispasmodic properties, so the plant is used in the form of menthol for the following diseases:
- neuralgic pain;
- angina pectoris;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- toothache;
- epilepsy, depression;
- gynecological diseases;
- inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract.
Externally, the leaf blades of the plant are applied as a poultice to ulcers, bites and sores.
The main medicinal forms of cold mint are oil, decoctions and infusions, tablets, herbal preparations and others.
What is the scent of cold mint?
Despite its name, English mint bears no resemblance to pepper. It contains a large amount of menthol, so it has an appropriate aroma and cooling taste, which then acquires burning shades. This is due to its properties, it dilates blood vessels. Cold mint can be characterized as a plant that “cools the mouth but warms the intestines.”
Where can you add cold mint?
In addition to using the plant in the medical industry, cold mint is added as a seasoning to various dishes. Essential oil from it is used not only in the confectionery industry, but also in the perfume industry. The resulting waste is not disposed of, but is sent to feed livestock.
Add cold mint to cosmetic care compositions. It is used as a refreshing and bactericidal agent in toothpaste. It is possible to add the leaves of the plant to the aromatherapy mixture.
Landing rules
It is easy to distinguish varieties of cold mint from the photo: there are black and white varieties. The principles of growing crops are similar. The black variety of mint has a purple tint to the stem and leaf blades, while the white cold mint has light green leaves.
On nitrogen-containing soil, crop yields are higher. The plant is also demanding of moisture: it does not tolerate dry seasons well. The optimal temperature for cultivation is + 18-20 °C.
The perennial is frost-resistant, withstanding temperatures down to -10 °C, but if the soil freezes, the plant quickly dies. When providing shelter, cold mint successfully resists frost down to -25 °C.
The optimal time for planting the crop is the end of April or the beginning of May.
Cold mint seeds are very small and do not germinate well, so you should purchase them only from trusted suppliers. Only mature, whole specimens can be planted.
Seed material is placed in containers with ventilation holes, placing them in the soil to a depth of 2-3 mm. They are sprinkled with earth on top and moistened with a spray bottle.Until sprouts appear, containers should be stored on a windowsill protected from drafts, watering as necessary. The optimal temperature in the room is up to + 24 °C. The first shoots appear 14 days after planting.
Seedlings should be transferred to open ground when the plant reaches a height of 6 cm. Before planting, seedlings should be planted in separate pots and pre-hardened by taking the plant outside for several hours for 10-14 days.
Before planting cold mint in open ground, you should dig up the area and add humus to it according to the scheme: 3 kg per 1 m2. Together with it, it is recommended to add 2 tbsp to the soil. l. ash and 15 g of saltpeter.
After forming the bed, grooves are prepared in it, maintaining a distance of 20-30 cm between them. The row spacing should be 40 cm. The seedling is carefully removed from the container and placed in a hole, after which it is covered with earth and watered abundantly.
Features of cultivation
Cold mint can grow on a site for up to 5 years, after which it requires replanting. Bushes should be rejuvenated by pruning.
To prevent the spread of mint throughout the area, it is recommended to install restrictions in the form of a fence.
The plant loves moisture, but waterlogging has a detrimental effect on the root system, so watering must be done as the soil dries out.
Weeding and loosening should be done regularly to provide the roots with a sufficient supply of oxygen. The minimum number of procedures is once a month.
Pests and diseases
The perennial needs to be protected from pest attacks.After the first leaf blades appear, mint flea beetle may appear. It damages leaves and becomes more active during periods of drought. To destroy it, use Actellik solution.
The upper part of the shoots is destroyed by aphids, and the edges of the leaf blades are attacked by weevils. The activity of the meadow moth is extremely destructive to plant shoots.
To control pests, preference should be given to the insecticides Fufanon, Karbofos, Decis.
The best prevention of pest attacks is to replant the perennial every 2 years.
Cold mint is susceptible to powdery mildew, which attacks the leaf blades, leaving a white coating on them. For prevention, the soil around the plant should be dug up annually, and the perennial should be treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur.
To prevent leaf spotting, spray cold mint with Bordeaux mixture. The disease manifests itself as brown spots on the leaf blades.
When and how to collect mint
The maximum concentration of menthol in the plant is observed during the flowering period, so it should be collected at this time.
Principles for collecting plants:
- The stem should be cut to a third of its length with a sharp knife so that the cold mint can later recover;
- Only healthy specimens should be collected;
- It is recommended to cut the plant on a sunny day without precipitation (excess moisture can trigger the process of rotting in the leaf blades);
- To prevent premature wilting, cut stems should be placed in a damp cloth and transferred indoors.
To preserve all the beneficial properties of the plant, it must be properly processed.
How to properly dry cold mint
After collection, shoots with leaves should be washed and dried thoroughly. To do this, it is collected in bunches and hung in a ventilated room. Avoid exposing cold mint to the sun's rays. The bunches should not be large, otherwise there is a high risk of leaf rotting.
If it is impossible to hang the bunches, the stems are laid out on a layer of newspaper or fabric, then periodically turned over so that they dry evenly.
Most often, the drying process lasts 7 days. To check the readiness of the raw material, you need to break the stem. Ready-to-eat leaves break apart easily.
Cold mint must be stored in a closed container away from the sun for 1 year. If it is impossible to dry the leaves, it is recommended to freeze them: all the beneficial properties of the plant will be preserved.
Conclusion
Cold mint is a plant known for its healing properties. A wide range of applications and ease of care are common reasons for cultivating perennials on the site. The harvested crop can be stored for the winter.
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