Chocolate mint’s is a close relative of the common peppermint. how to grow and care of chocolate mint easily follow the content.
Chocolate mint is hybrid crosses M. piperita with M. citrata (orange mint) to produce the ‘Chocolate’ variety.
Commonly known as Chocolate Mint’s, this is a Mentha + Piperita cross Citrata chocolate. It is a perennial plant of the family lamiaceae.
It grows in moist soil with full sun exposure It is a sterile hybrid plant that does not produce any seeds, it is propagated by cuttings.
It has a chocolate aroma, but Citrata mint tastes similar to orange citrus.
How to Grow and Care of Chocolate Mint Shape
The plant grows to about 2 feet tall and spreads easily by rhizomes into an attractive ground cover. Round, lance-shaped leaves are darker green than other forms of mint.
Its lavender colored flowers are seen in summer. mint’s is vigorous, fast-growing plant is sometimes grown as an annual in cold climates.
It is usually planted in the spring after the last frost. The plant will spread as far as possible, although it is not particularly difficult to keep within its borders.
Grows 1-2 feet tall and wide with lavender and pink flowers in mid to late summer.
Hardiness
5A-9A (usda) Tolerated in Europe and Middle East. Chocolate mints are planted from nursery starts or stem cuttings.
Habitat
Chocolate mint’s grows best in slightly acidic or neutral to rich, moist soil. Plant about 2 feet apart in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Chocolate mint’s likes rich, moist soil, so it’s a good idea to add some organic matter before planting. Chocolate mint’s is one of the few culinary herbs that prefer partial shade.
However, you can grow it in full sun if you provide enough moisture. All mints are aggressive growers and will cover as much ground as they can.
Chocolate mint’s cultivars don’t grow as widely as regular mint, but you may want to grow them in containers or in the ground with some sort of barrier.
Alternatively, you can plant the whole pot in the ground so that its rhizomatous roots do not spread. However, mint is a good choice if you want a spreading ground cover.
How to Grow And Care of Chocolate Mint
Chocolate mint plants like partial shade. You can grow them in full sun as long as you water them often.
These plants are not messy; It will withstand all climatic conditions within its hardiness range.
When growing indoors you need to provide adequate humidity as indoor conditions are usually dry.
You can provide moisture in the form of a mist or place the pot in a tray filled with gravel and water. Excess moisture can cause fungal diseases.
Chocolate mint’s is a hardy plant that needs more than one dose of balanced fertilizer each spring.
You can start pruning the leaves when the plants are at least 4 to 5 inches tall.
Regular shearing helps keep plants under control, so they don’t take over the yard. Do not take more than one-third of the leaves in a pruning session.
Prune at least three or four times during the growing season When your plants bloom, pinch them back, and new tender leaves will fill in.
If you notice that the stems are getting longer and the leaves are becoming scattered and smaller, this is a sign that harvesting is not enough to revive your plant.
Cut the plants back by one-third to one-half and keep new leaves with some larger leaves.
Once the tree is mature you can take the cuttings and create as many trees as you like.
The plant will respond to stem pruning or cutting by becoming bushy and producing new leaves. Cut off any leaves above the water line.
Add a little water every couple of days to maintain the waterline. If you notice a film developing on the water, do a complete water change.
This water change prevents the growth of bacteria. wait three to four weeks for a significant root to form.
After rooting, plant the stem and its new roots in soil or in the garden.
Chocolate mints are usually trouble free; However, it can sometimes be affected by rust, a fungal disease that manifests itself as small orange spots on the underside of the leaves.
Use an organic fungicide and dry leaves between waterings. Take care that the plants are not crowded and get plenty of air circulation chocolate mint is also a deer chaser.
If your chocolate mint plants are stressed, they may be susceptible to pests such as whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs.
Citrus oil is a good remedy for this pest. If your mint plant’s leaves are turning yellow, take a closer look at its roots and soil. Does the soil look wet?
Peppermint does not like constantly wet feet. Waterlogged soil or pots without drainage can cause mint to turn yellow and drop off. Also, check for roots.
Caution
If the plant starts to turn dark brown or black and develops a scaly, rotting texture, it may have root rot fungus. If caught early, the tree can be saved.
You need to uproot the plant, cut off the blackened roots and transplant it into a sterile container with fresh potting soil.
Before planting, you can also soak the remaining healthy roots in a fungicide solution. Make sure the container has enough drainage holes to prevent the roots from re-emerging from decay.
If your chocolate mint’s plant grows leggy stems with few leaves, it’s probably due to a lack of sun or too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Change your fertilizer, apply less of it, or avoid giving it at all. Also, leg growth can be caused by a root-bound plant wanting to spread to a more hospitable location.
If your plant is placed in a very shady place, give it more light. In addition, frequent pruning can make your plant more attractive and stimulate new leaf growth.
Conclusion
From the above analysis we have come to know that chocolate peppermint cultivation is very easy, it can be produced and maintained very easily at home or garden.
Its use makes the taste of cooking incomparable and adds extra dimension to salads, its tea is very beneficial for colds and coughs.
If it is regularly administered, its benefits can be enjoyed throughout the year.
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