Contents
A distinctive feature of many types of mint is the sensation of chill that occurs in the mouth when eating the leaves of this plant. This is due to the presence of menthol – an organic compound that irritates the cold receptors. However, not all plants of this family contain the substance in their composition, and one of these species is curly mint.
Description of spearmint
Photos and descriptions of curly mint can be found in many botanical publications. Its main difference from other plants of this family is the shape of the leaves. In this species, they are pubescent, with a strongly corrugated leaf plate. Thanks to this, the species got its name – curly mint, or curly mint. Some other plant parameters are shown in the table below:
Parameter | Value |
Names-synonyms | Mint curly crisp, mint curly, curly, green |
Type of plant | perennial herbaceous |
General view | Bush 0,5-0,9 m high, multi-stemmed, slightly spreading |
Root | Creeping, tree-like, climbing, superficial, there is a small lobe of adventitious roots |
Stem | Upright, light green, turning reddish brown with age |
Leaves | Bright green, round-ovate, with short petioles, sessile in the upper part of the stem. The leaf plate has a characteristic bumpy-wrinkled surface, the edge is wavy |
Flowers | Small, mauve, collected in inflorescences, false whorls, at the ends of the stems |
Curly mint in the photo below:
In its wild form, this plant grows in North Africa, as well as in Western and South-Eastern Europe.
What is the difference between spearmint and peppermint
Peppermint contains a large amount of essential oils, one of the components of which is menthol. The refreshing aroma of this plant is strongly pronounced and quite persistent. Unlike peppermint, spearmint contains virtually no menthol and has a very light, subtle aroma. In addition, there are differences in the biological structure.
Peppermint leaves are more spicy
Peppermint bushes are usually slightly lower, the leaf plate has a pointed end, while curly mint has a more rounded one.
The use of spearmint in cooking
In cooking, spearmint is used mainly as a spice. In dried form, it is added to the composition of spices, fresh herbs are used as a vegetable component in the preparation of various dishes and drinks.
What is the flavor of curly mint
Curly mint leaves lack the menthol sharpness characteristic of many species in the aroma. Its scent is subtle and delicate. It tastes tender and pleasant, because it has a characteristic mint flavor.
Where Can You Add Spearmint?
Spearmint leaves are used to prepare meat, fish and poultry dishes, various cocktails and soft drinks. They are widely used for preserving vegetables and fruits, added to sauerkraut and pickled apples. Greens are an excellent decoration for dishes; they are often used as one of the components in various salads. Curly mint is brewed into tea and used hot and chilled, not only as a refreshing drink, but also as a medicine.
Mint tea is not only tasty, but also healthy
Useful properties of spearmint
The essential oils and aromatic compounds found in spearmint leaves have medicinal properties and are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. And also one of the areas of application of this plant is cosmetology.
Medicinal uses of spearmint
It has long been noticed that a decoction of mint causes a pronounced sedative reaction. Therefore, traditionally this plant was used to calm, normalize sleep, relieve excessive excitement or anxiety. However, the beneficial properties of spearmint do not end there. It can be used for the following medicinal purposes:
- As a choleretic agent that normalizes the process of digestion.
- As a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure.
- For inhalation with colds, as well as an analgesic and diaphoretic.
- To relieve swelling, as a local anesthetic for bruises.
- As a mouthwash to prevent and treat gingivitis.
- As a supplement for the treatment of skin rashes and cleansing.
A mask of crushed mint leaves will cleanse the skin well.
Limitations and contraindications
In some cases, the use of spearmint may not be beneficial, but harmful. For example, a contraindication to its use is low blood pressure. In this case, the use of mint will only aggravate the situation. With caution, you need to use this plant for varicose veins, as it reduces the tone of the veins. It should not be used by those people who need increased attention at work, as well as those suffering from excessive drowsiness. Increased acidity of the stomach, individual intolerance and children’s age (up to 3 years) are also contraindications to the use of curly mint.
Features of reproduction
Due to the ease of reproduction, curly mint has long been successfully grown not only in areas of natural growth, but also in many countries of the temperate zone, including Our Country. The plant can be propagated in the following ways:
- Seeds.
- Rhizome (root layers).
- Air layers.
- By dividing the bush.
- Cuttings.
The seed method of reproduction is quite long, but they will have to be used if it is not possible to use vegetative methods. Spearmint seeds can be purchased from many specialty stores or online. In the southern regions, you can plant them immediately in open ground, and in more northern regions, it is preferable to use the seedling method. In this case, the seeds are germinated at home, and after the weather is suitable outside, the grown seedlings are transferred to a permanent place.
Mint seedlings are very easy to grow at home.
If there are already plantings of curly mint on the site, then it is preferable to use vegetative methods. Here is a brief description of each of them:
- Cuttings. As cuttings, young apical parts of curly mint shoots 10-15 cm long are used. They are cut and placed in water. Quite quickly, the cuttings begin to form their own root system in the water; after 1,5-2 weeks, the first roots can be seen at the cut points. After they reach a length of 2-3 cm, they can be transplanted into the ground at a previously prepared place.
Roots on a mint stalk in water appear quite quickly
- Root cuttings. On climbing rhizomes of curly mint there are a large number of dormant buds. For seedlings, a part of the root 10-12 cm long is used. It is cut off from a common rhizome and planted in moist soil. With regular watering, the buds wake up pretty quickly, and the plant germinates.
- division method the bush can be used if its age exceeds 4-5 years. In this case, the plant is completely dug out of the ground and divided into several parts so that each has a sufficient number of roots and a stem with growth buds. Then the delenki are seated in permanent places.
- Air outlets. If you bend the side shoot of the bush to the ground and sprinkle it with earth, then each of the nodes will quickly begin to form its own root system, and an even row of young seedlings will grow in place of the sprinkled shoot. They are carefully separated from the mother shoot, divided among themselves and dug out of the ground, then transplanted to a permanent place.
Rules of landing
It is better to dig up a bed for planting curly mint in the fall, this will reduce the likelihood of pests appearing next year. Additionally, you can treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. In the spring, the beds are dug up again, while introducing mineral and organic fertilizers. At this time, you can use manure and chicken manure, they enrich the soil with nitrogen and contribute to the rapid growth of green mass.
Good bed preparation is the basis for a great harvest
After the threat of night frosts has completely passed and the earth warms up to + 5-8 ° C, you can start planting.
Seedlings of curly mint are planted in rows, keeping a distance of 25-30 cm between neighboring plants. Planting pits are pre-prepared so that their volume is enough for the root system of seedlings. Before planting, they are shed with water, then a seedling is placed in them and the soil is slightly compacted. After that, the root system is sprinkled with earth to the level of the beds, and then watered abundantly.
Peculiarities of growing
After planting, curly mint needs regular moderate watering. When the plants grow up, they will need to be watered less often, and with a sufficient amount of precipitation, additional soil moisture should be completely abandoned. It is very important to periodically loosen the root zone of the bushes so that the surface roots of spearmint get enough oxygen. Weeds from the garden must be removed in a timely manner.
Slurry is an excellent top dressing for a quick set of green mass
Periodically, curly mint bushes can be fed with mineral fertilizers or organic matter. It is especially important to do this in spring and early summer. For top dressing, slurry or diluted chicken manure is usually used. These components contain a large amount of nitrogen, which stimulates the increased growth of green mass. However, it must be remembered that an excessive amount of nitrogen fertilizers is a risk factor for the development of certain fungal diseases.
Pests and diseases
Juicy and tender leaves of curly mint attract not only people, but also insect pests. Here are some of the most commonly found on this plant:
- Long-nosed. A small beetle with a characteristic proboscis that feeds on young green plants.
Can damage not only leaves, but also flower buds
- Aphid. A very small, light green sucking insect. A feature of aphids is its fertility. Often they settle on plants in large colonies, literally sucking all the juice out of it.
Aphids with their inseparable companions – ants
- Mint flea. A small greenish-brown bug. It feeds on young greens, damages leaves and growth buds.
- Wireworm. This is a white hard larva of the click beetle living in the ground. Damages the roots of many plants, including spearmint.
Violations in care and adverse weather conditions can provoke the appearance of various diseases on the bushes of curly mint, especially fungal ones. The most common of these are the following:
- Rust. The disease can be recognized by the characteristic reddish-brown spore pads of the fungus. Gradually, pockets of rot appear in their place and the plant dies.
- Septoria. It manifests itself in the form of small, clearly defined light spots with a dark border, in place of which foci of dead tissue are then formed, which gradually collapses. Septoria most often manifests itself in conditions of high temperature and humidity.
- Powdery mildew. The disease can be recognized by a characteristic thin light bloom on the leaves. In such places, plant tissues darken and rot very quickly. A risk factor for powdery mildew is high humidity, as well as sharp drops in temperature.
Prevention of the occurrence of diseases and the appearance of pests are mainly agrotechnical measures, such as deep autumn plowing, harvesting of plant residues, timely removal of diseased plants, etc.
When and how to harvest curly mint
The best time to harvest spearmint is mid-July. At this time, before flowering, the leaves of the plant contain the maximum amount of aromatic substances. Harvesting of mint can be done both as individual leaves and whole plants, cutting them off and tying them into bunches. This should be done on a warm, dry day, be sure to wait until the morning dew dries on the leaves.
How to dry curly mint
Collected spearmint leaves are scattered on baking sheets covered with clean paper or plywood boards, which are placed in a dry, well-ventilated area. At the same time, direct sunlight should not fall on the grass. To prevent the leaves from caking, they need to be stirred periodically. After they become brittle, they are crushed and put away for storage.
Completely dried mint leaves become rustling and brittle.
It is best to store dried spearmint leaves in a tightly sealed glass or earthenware container. It is allowed to place the harvested vegetable raw materials in tightly closed canvas or fabric bags, but in this case they need to be kept in a cool, dry room, isolated from other spices.
A short video about drying mint can be viewed at the link below.
Conclusion
Curly mint is a beautiful and useful plant. It combines both culinary and medicinal properties and will become an indispensable crop when planting, for example, an apothecary garden. This plant is easy to care for and easy to propagate, making Spearmint an easy task even for beginners.