When I opened my first bag of Green Cardamom spice, the smell was overpowering. However, after opening up the shell, I found pods of 3-4 smaller seeds that were much easier to cook with. It has now become a favorite spice for both cooking and adding to tea.
This is a translation of TROPICA’s instructions for gowing Cardamom –Elettaria cardamomum (Kardamom) from seed, with original picture in German below:
“Interesting facts: The exotic cardamom is one of the ginger plants and, along with saffron and vanilla, is one of the most expensive spices in the world. In nature, the reed-like plant reaches a height of 3 meters. With us, pulled pot or bucket, it grows up to about a meter. The 10-20 seeds contained therein carry the flavorings within them.
Application: The cardamom spice has a digestive effect and stimulates the circulation. The sweet, but slightly pungent taste is a part of many seasonings such as curry or masala. In Central Europe, it is mainly used as an ingredient in gingerbread spices. Coffee is spiced with cardamom in Arabic countries. The Indians, on the other hand, use it to flavor their chai tea. The taste is also excellent with meat and duck dishes.
Origin: The cardamom plant comes from India, Thailand and Central America.
Cultivation: Let the seeds pre-soak in warm water overnight and then distribute them on a moist cultivation substrate or on soil. Cover the seeds thinly with growing medium, keep the strat evenly moist and place the container until germination (22 ° -25 ° C). The first seedlings show up after 10-14 days.
Care: Cardamom loves evenly warm and humid climates. Ideal places are conservatories, kitchen window sills or small greenhouses. It is best to choose a partially shaded location, as the leaves burn in full sun.
Wintering: Sufficient light and high air humidity help planting the time of the winter. Spray the leaves from time to time with water. Water sparingly once a week. From March you can increase the watering.
Note on Cultivating exotic herbs successfully. We cannot normally offer the conditions of the tropics here. Nevertheless, cultivation is quite simple when you follow a few basic care instructions:
- Neither garden soil nor potted plant soil is suitable for cultivation. Mix yourself a substrate from one third of potting soil, loamy garden soil and sand. The mixture is also available for purchase.
- All herbs need good drainage and a drainage hole in pots so that the roots do not become moldy.
- Water evenly, but avoid water-logging.
- There must be enough space between the individual plants so that all plants receive light or sun evenly.”
Waunder 