1. Variety selection
When choosing a cardamom variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation: Cardamom can be used as a spice crop. For each purpose, there are different varieties of cardamom that have certain properties.
- Plant height: Different varieties of cardamom differ in plant height. There are varieties that reach a height of 2 m, and varieties that reach a height of 3 m.
2. Soil preparation
Cardamom is a tropical plant, so to grow it you need to prepare moist, organic-rich soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction.
3. Landing
Cardamom can be grown by sowing seeds in open ground or seedlings.
When sowing seeds in open ground, cardamom seeds are sown in the spring, when the soil temperature reaches +18 °C. The seeding depth is 2-3 cm.
When growing seedlings, cardamom seeds are sown in March-April in seedling boxes or containers. Shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. Seedlings are planted in separate pots or cups in the phase of 2-3 true leaves. Seedlings are planted in open ground in May-June, when the threat of frost has passed.
4. Plant care
Cardamom is a heat-loving and moisture-loving plant, therefore, to obtain good growth and development, the following measures must be taken:
- Watering: Cardamom is a moisture-loving plant, so during the growing season it is necessary to water the plants regularly, preventing the soil from drying out.
- Fertilizing: During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
- Weeding: It is necessary to weed regularly so that they do not choke the plants.
- Loosening: It is necessary to regularly loosen the soil around the plants to improve aeration and moisture permeability of the soil.
- Staking: Cardamom is a climbing plant, so it is necessary to tie the plants to a support.
5. Harvest
Cardamom begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. Cardamom fruits are harvested in October-November. The fruits are cut with scissors or a sickle.
Additional Tips
- To obtain an earlier harvest, cardamom can be grown as seedlings.
- To increase the yield of cardamom, you can sow seeds for several periods.
Some additional tips for growing cardamom:
- Cardamom is a good honey plant.
- Cardamom is used in folk medicine.