How to Grow Stevia in Greenhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest

Stevia is a calorie-free, natural sweetener whose growth sounds too good to be true. Stevia plants are native to Paraguay and other tropical areas of the Americas, producing leaves packed with super-sweet compounds even after drying. In South America, stevia leaves have been used to sweeten teas and beverages for centuries.

How to Grow Stevia in Greenhouse

Varieties of Stevia

MDS-13 and MDS-14: The two varieties are the most suitable for Indian climatic conditions. Climates with low rainfall and high temperatures are suitable for its cultivation.
SRB-123: The Deccan plateau is the best place to grow this variety, where it can be harvested three to four times a year. The total glucoside content varies between 9 and 12 percent
SRB-128: It is suitable for both southern and northern Indian climates. With a 14-15 percent glucoside content, it is very high in glucosides.
SRB-512: The variety grows well in northern latitudes and can be harvested three or four times a year. A total of 9-12 % glucosides are present in the product.

Stevia Plant Growing Requirements

Stevia plants thrive in full sun. It should be grown in semi-humid locations with over 15 hours of light to maximize vegetative growth. A light afternoon shade is beneficial in areas with hot summers.
It requires well-drained soil or potting mix. These plants often thrive in raised beds.
Avoid chemical fertilizers, which can cause lush growth and a low level of sweetness, by adding compost or organic matter to the soil. Moreover, over-fertilized plants are more likely to contract diseases.
Moisture in the soil is consistent. There is a tendency for wild Stevia to grow near bodies of water where the soil is moist but not soggy. Maintaining an even moisture level in the soil can be achieved with organic mulch.
Plants grow up to three feet tall in warmer climates but are shorter in cooler climates. Plants should be spaced 18 inches apart in garden beds or pots with a one-foot or larger diameter.
A pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is recommended for the optimal growth of stevia plants.

Nursery Raising From Seeds

Because the seeds are so small, direct sowing is not recommended. The best time to raise nursery plants from seeds is between January and March. It can, however, be done at any time of year under protected conditions. It takes 7-10 days for seeds to germinate.
With a good mixture of sand, soil, and organic manure, seeds can be sown in plastic trays, pots, wooden boxes, or raised nursery beds. With a suitable length and width, the bed should be 1.0-1.5 m wide.
For the first five days after sowing, nursery beds should be lightly irrigated daily, preferably in the morning and evening, and then once a day for the next five.
Plant two-month-old seedlings with 5-7 leaves and a 10-15 cm height are suitable for transplanting.

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Nursery Raising From Cuttings

Stem cuttings of 10-15 cm in height with 4-6 nodes can be used to propagate plants by vegetative means. Plant cuttings should be taken during mild weather, avoiding extremes of cold or heat.
After trimming the lower leaves, plant the cuttings in the bed, keeping one node inside the soil.
These cuttings should be raised under partial shade and high humidity for rapid root development.
Roots take 10-15 days to form, so water should be sprinkled daily until that happens.
After the cuttings have been rooted, they are placed into sleeves filled with soil, sand, and FYM mixture (1:1:1).
The cutting-raised plants need to be irrigated twice a week or as needed.

Transplanting Stevia Seedlings

Generally, transplants of 50-60 days old seedlings, rooted cuttings, or tissue culture-raised hardened plants are made in the field during March-April or June-July to avoid extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, the transplanting date should be adjusted according to the local weather conditions. A 45×45 cm raised bed and a 45×30 cm flatbed are used to transplant plants in high and medium fertile soils, respectively. Plants should be pruned after establishment to encourage bushy growth with lateral branches.

Watering Requirements

The plants are irrigated immediately after transplanting and every three to five days until they are established. Afterward, weekly watering is done to a depth of 5 cm until monsoon rains begin. During the summer, soil moisture must be maintained by frequent irrigation. By using a drip irrigation system, you can reduce the water you need for irrigation. Since Stevia cannot tolerate waterlogging, excessive moisture can negatively affect the crop. During the land preparation process, drainage facilities must also be established.

Fertilizers and Compost Application

For Stevia to develop properly and produce glycosides, it needs proper balanced nutrition. Even though Stevia was initially depicted as a yield with minimal outer nutritional requirements, it responded well to fertilizer applications. Nutritional management for Stevia is based on soil and agroclimatic, cultivating framework, variety, and target yield. Apply FYM 5 kg per square meter, cow dung/urine, and vermin compost during land preparation.

As a basal portion, apply the full dose of SSP. Each month, nitrogen and potash are applied in 10 dosages. Boron and Manganese are splashed to maximize dry leaf yield. Applying organic compost keeps roots cool, deters weeds, and prevents moisture loss. It is best to avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen as they produce enormous leaves that lack flavor. Fertilize with liquid organic fertilizers that contain phosphoric acid or potash.

Pests Control in Stevia

Stevia crops are pest-free because steviol glycoside has a considerable pest-repellant effect. Although some breeds of Stevia may require crop safety to some extent, some modern high-yielding varieties may not. If they appear, the pest can be controlled by spraying neem oil with diluted water on the crop. Pests and diseases commonly plague stevia crops due to unfavorable conditions, excessive moisture levels, weed infestations, and unbalanced nutrients. Agronomic management and perfect nutrients can act as shields at the moment.

Harvesting Stevia

The first crop harvest can be done four months after planting and every three months after that. The next harvest should be ready between 40 and 60 days after the previous one. Early morning is the best time to harvest green Stevia with the highest sugar content. Cool temperatures and short days enhance Stevia’s sweetness. A farmer can produce three harvests from one plantation cycle. Three to four months should pass between each harvest cycle.

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Conclusion

Increasing awareness about Stevia’s medical advantages has led to increased demand worldwide, which is currently being grown commercially worldwide. Since most low-calorie sweeteners are artificial, natural sweeteners like Stevia are gaining popularity.

How to Grow Stevia in Greenhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest