O bilberry is medicinal plant very well known, one of the most cultivated in Brazil, and is widely used for liver and digestive treatments mostly, such as heartburn, gastritis, gastric discomfort and even to fight hangovers. This is all because boldo leaves, when macerated or infused, are capable of generating a gastric hyposecretory effect that decreases the volume of gastric juice and also acidity.
It is always important to remember that the use of medicinal plants, whatever they may be, should be used sparingly and always under medical supervision.
It is very common to find Boldo da foot (Plectranthus barbatus) in many gardens around, mainly in grandmother’s gardens, but we can also find other types of Boldo, such as Boldo Míudo (Plectranthus neochilus), both from the same family and originating in Africa, but while the first has a shrubby size, reaching up to 2 meters in height, the second is a creeping plant with 30 to 90 cm in height.
Both are possible to find for cultivation, besides being of easy handlingvery rustic plants, but also beautiful, with purple flowers that attract polarizers.
full sun and water
The different species of boldo are plants of full sunthat is, they need more than 4 hours of direct sun, or if they are less hours, they need to be in the hours of strong sun.
planting and pruning
Boldo can be planted directly in the soil or in vases. In the case of Boldo da , choose vases with a minimum height of 30 cm, as this will allow them to develop further.
Always periodically prune the upper branches and their tips, at least twice a year, at the end of winter and at the beginning of autumn, so that they have a more “full” appearance and fill your vase more.
As for the Boldo Míudo, as it has the characteristic of a creeping plant, opt for vases like bowls or planters, so they will have a much more beautiful aesthetic result. If you prefer, you can plant it with another plant that has similar requirements to Boldo Míudo, creating beautiful compositions in vases.
Boldo Míudo is also recommended for garden beds, as it works as a great repellent plant of ants and pets like cats and dogs. Pruning Boldo Miúdo is also important, as it will have more showy leaves.
seedlings
The way to make seedlings for both is similar. In the case of making seedlings from the mother plant, just:
- cut a branch from the middle part of the plant, without flower
- remove the leaves below the branch, about 3 fingers, taking care not to hurt the buds of the branch
- cut the remaining leaves in half.
- done that, sink the branch into a vase or pot with 1 part of substrate for seedlings and 1 part of sand.
- keep the new seedling in the shade and water whenever the substrate is dry.
- as soon as new sprouts come out, you can transplant them to the final location.
Seedlings can also be made through seeds harvested from a foot or purchased. The seeds must be sown in a permanent place in times that are not cold or frosty, as the plant as a whole does not tolerate cold and frosty environments.
Harvest
When harvesting, whether for tea or for steeping, always cut the branch/branch, not just pulling the leaves. Preferably the upper branches and their tips, this way you will already be doing a growth pruning for your boldo.
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