Lemongrass belongs to the Cymbopogon genus and is a perennial grass. It has an upright arching shape and attractive green leaves. Many cuisines use this herb for its edible, aromatic leaves and stalks. Both have a strong citrus scent and a lemon flavor. One of the most prized parts of this plant is its tender inner core, which develops once the stalks reach half an inch in diameter. Young stalks consist mainly of fibrous leaves, but as they grow, they develop a soft center that can be chopped and added to cooking without being removed.
How to Grow Lemon Grass in a Greenhouse
Soil Requirements for Growing Lemongrass in Greenhouse
The best conditions for growing Lemongrass are full sun, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0, and good drainage. Compost, manure, and leaf mold are all soil enrichments you can add when planting to create this ideal soil. Plants should be spaced 24 inches apart.
Temperature Requirements for Growing Lemongrass in Greenhouse
The greenhouse has the advantage of being able to control the internal temperature. Temperatures between 25 and 30°C are ideal for Lemongrass growth. A temperature range of 10 to 33°C is also acceptable.
Growing Lemongrass in a greenhouse
Identifying when and where Lemongrass will thrive in a greenhouse is important before you can learn how to grow it. You need to cultivate Lemongrass in an area that receives full sunlight in the greenhouse since it is a tropical perennial. For this reason, some gardeners who plant Lemongrass outdoors eventually bring it inside the greenhouse before the first frost. Lemongrass can be planted in the ground or pots in spring. Seeds or cuttings can also be used to propagate it.
Place the latter in a pot or hydro pod cutting propagator before potting firm, and green stems with a small amount of root at the base. When starting from seeds, you can use a seed tray and keep it in a heated propagator for 40 days until the seeds germinate. In the greenhouse, space the seedlings 3 feet apart in fertile, well-draining loam soil. One of the best things about Lemongrass is that it can be economically viable for up to four years. You can transplant seedlings you remove to another location once they are a few inches tall and thinned to two feet apart.
Watering Requirements for Growing in Greenhouse
Consistent moisture is essential for healthy plants. Mist your plants daily or every other day when the top 2.5 cm of soil feels dry. It is best to water Lemongrass early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as with any other plant. It does not like soggy conditions, so avoid overwatering. Watering should be limited in the winter to keep the roots alive, but regular watering should be resumed in the spring.
Pruning Lemongrass
The leaves of lemongrass plants that live for more than one season should be trimmed to tidy them up and remove dead foliage every year. During the winter, the plant will naturally die back, so you should leave the browning leaves alone to protect it from frost. When ornamental grass rests in the winter, shear it to about 6 inches high. The lemongrass plants will rebound quickly once the weather warms up again.
In case you missed it: How to Increase Female Flowers in Lemon: Explained in 10 Simple Steps
Fertilizer Requirements for Growing Lemongrass in Greenhouse
Lemongrass requires a great deal of nitrogen to grow at its best. During the growing season, you can feed your plants with a slow-release nitrogen-rich or balanced fertilizer, like a 15-15-15. Organic fertilizers are a great option for growing Lemongrass for food consumption.
Propagating Lemongrass
- Take the clump out of its pot (or remove the entire root ball).
- Using a spade or garden trowel, divide the clump into pieces. Each leaf fan is attached to a bulb-like base with roots attached, and each one can grow into a new clump. You can make each division as large as you like, but clumps containing at least five or six bulbs will look more substantial than singles.
- Replant the divisions in a new pot or a suitable garden location as soon as possible.
- Once the divisions have been planted, they must be watered thoroughly every day until established.
Pests and Diseases Control in Lemongrass
Lemongrass may suffer from rust in humid climates, especially if grown near other plants of the same kind. The yellow spots on the foliage will eventually darken into brown spots and lesions. It can alleviate the symptoms by thinning out your grass clump and spraying it with fungicide. In plants kept too dry, spider mites can also cause yellow or white speckling on lemongrass leaves. Spray them with water to get rid of them.
You can prevent their reappearance by consistently watering and misting your lemongrass plant. It is rare for Lemongrass to be affected by pests or diseases. Natural pest-repellent citronella is found in it. Only one disease can affect Lemongrass, lemongrass rust, a fungus. Prune the affected areas of the leaves if you see brown and yellow patches. Keep your plants pest-free by spraying natural neem repellent.
Harvesting Lemongrass
The aromatic properties of Lemongrass are used to make dishes more flavorful and aromatic. Once it reaches one foot tall and 1/2 inch thick, it is ready for harvest. Snip the leaves an inch above the ground with a knife or scissors. If you want the leaves to grow, harvest as much as you need and leave some at the bottom.
Harvesting the whole plant and separating the leaves from the bulb is also possible, particularly at the end of the growing season when the plant is likely to succumb to the weather. Make sure you wear gloves when harvesting Lemongrass to avoid damaging your fingers. It is also very easy to store Lemongrass for months at a time. Store the grass in the freezer after snipping it. Keep it in a ziplock bag and use it whenever needed.
In case you missed it: How to Make Compost from Grass Clippings: DIY, Recipe, Best Natural Fertilizer for Your Plants
Conclusion
Having fresh Lemongrass at home is always a nice thing. You can do this if you can grow Lemongrass in a greenhouse. Getting this aromatic and healthy tropical perennial in the greenhouse will be easy, no matter where you live. Growing, maintaining, and harvesting are the steps. The simplicity and beginner-friendliness of planting Lemongrass in the greenhouse make it a great choice. The greenhouse ensures the plant’s optimal needs are met because it does not have a long list of requirements.
- Ultimate Guide to Ossabaw Island Hog: Breeding, Raising, Diet, and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Juliana Pig: Raising Facts, Size, Diet, Care, and Lifespan
- Raising Lleyn Sheep: Disadvantages, Price, Uses, Characteristics, and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Meishan Pig: Breed Facts, Breeding, Raising, and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Teacup Pigs: Raising, Diet, Lifespan, Cost, and Care
- Guide to Raising Poll Dorset Sheep: Facts, Profile, Characteristics, Uses, and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Bighorn Sheep: Characteristics, Diet, Lifespan, Breeding, and Lifecycle
- Ultimate Guide to Raising Katahdin Sheep: Farming Facts, Breed Profile, Uses, and Care
- Ultimate Guide to Raising Oreo Cows: Belted Galloways Farming Facts, Profile, Uses, and Care