Quantity 20 seeds

Germination approx. 14 days at 20ºC

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

Syn: safflower, oil thistle, Dyer's safflower and fake saffron, hong-hua (TCM)
 
Safflower was already used 3500 BC to dye fabrics and other.
From the petals can be obtained dyes, the carthamin of red color and the dye of yellow flower carthida.
In cooking, petals are also used for coloring food (fake saffron). These are also used as tea and medicinal herbs in China.
Today, however, it is more common for safflower to be grown for oil extraction from seeds, and press residues are used as livestock feed.
 
Flower color: orange-yellow

Flowering period: July to August, depending on location
Bee grass: yes

Winter hardiness: no, annual

Propagation: Seeds in spring

Soil requirements: rather dry and sandy.

Quantity 150 seeds

Germination 14 Days at 20ºC

Pericon Seeds, Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes Lucida)

syn: Winter Estragon, Pericon, mex. Tagetes

The Mexican tarragon is not only a decorative garden plant, but also a spice and medicinal plant.
The smell and taste are clearly reminiscent of tarragon with the typical anise note. Flowers and leaves are edible.

As a medicinal plant, Tagetes lucida was already used by the Atztecs.
It can be eaten raw or cooked, or prepared as a tea or smoked mixed with tobacco.

It is considered in folk medicine as a light natural sedative that helps with anxiety and asthma.
In addition, Pericon is used in the treatment of hiccups, diarrhea and rheumatism.
Furthermore, the plant is also used as a natural painkiller.

Tiger Nut, "chufa" Rhizomes (Cyperus esculentus) 

Quantity:  20 Rhizomes

Gemination approx. 20 Days at 20ºC, let 24  hours in Water  to room temperature.

Syn: Chufa, Tiger nut, Amandes de terre, atadwe, Hab el Aziz

The tiger nut can be eaten raw or cooked. In Spain, a milk-like drink called "Horchata" is made from the ground almond and is particularly popular here in the summer time. The taste is reminiscent of almonds and/or nuts.
Cultivation in the Valencia area is originally from  year 1300. Yes, hundreds of years back!  Even today, the center of the production of Chufa and Horchata is still in the area of Valencia.
Presumably, the Chufa tubers are among the foods that have already been used for 16,000 b.c. Roots of wild chufa have been found at Wadi Kubbaniya, north of Aswan, dating to around 16,000 BC.

In parts of Africa, the tubers are still sold today as a snack.

Quantity 40 Seeds

Germination approx. 10 to 24 days at 21 ° C

Java or Jawa Ginseng, Jewels-of-Opar Seeds(Talinum paniculatum)

syn: Tu Ren Shen, Fameflower.

Javanese Ginseng leaves contain calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc.

The rhizomes of Java ginseng are used in herbal medicine similar to that of ginseng (Panax ginseng). The big difference, however, is the Java ginseng is much easier in cultivation and in the growing from seeds.
In the raw state, only small amounts should be used, since the rhizomes contain oxalic acid.

The fleashy leaves can be used raw and cooked. They are rich in calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and tin. So they're appropiate in smoothies, salad, soup, wok, etc.) . The leaves also fit well with garlic, onions and soysauce.

Effect of leaves: activating, antibacterial, tuning, cooling.
The leaves are used in Asia for menopause symptoms.

Quantity 20 Seeds

Germination approx. 10 to 24 days at 25 ° C

Water spinach, water morning glory Seeds
(Ipomoea aquatica)

Syn: Kangkung, ong choy, Liao, Dagoe, Chinese spinach, Chinese watercress

A wonderful vegetable from Southeast Asia, which we tested for the first time in 2020 in our own garden.
The cultivation is quite simple and we were able to harvest from our plants up to 4 times, it is quite conceivable that this vegetable has a successful future in the Mediterranean, due to the temperatures and of course also because of the good taste. The water spinach grows well at temperatures above 24ºC. In frost-free areas, the plants can also be wintered. You will find many recipes on Internet for cooking them.

Note on seed germination:
Even if the water spinach is a semi-aquatic plant, the seeds are made to germinate in a normal substrate, under water the seeds do not germinate !. Cut offshoots are easily rooted in a glass of water.

In Asia, water spinach is also used as a medicinal plant. In Sri Lanka, it is used for diabetes, it is attributed to insulin-like properties. Tests confirmed a significant reduction in blood sugar levels.
In addition, a reduction of the blood pressure was also noted.

In any case, a delicious and healthy vegetable, which we will cultivate again next year.

Quantity 30 Seeds

Germination approx. 14-21 Days at 16ºC

Black Maca, Peruvian Ginseng seeds (Lepidium meyenii)

Syn: Lepidium peruvianum

Maca is a crop from Peru at least 3,000 years old. It is grown as food and as medicinal plant.

In addition to the black maca, there are also other color variants (red, white, yellow), whereby the active ingredients and healing effects are similar. However, the black maca is said to have been significantly higher in effectiveness.

The positive healing effects of the Maca tuber are:

- Increase in physical performance, build-up of muscles

- Increase in mental begability, higher ability to concentrate

- Help with sexual dysfunction and Potency-enhancing

- Increase in fertility, improve semen quality

Tubers and leaves are used as food. The leaves can be used raw in the salad, typical is their cress-like taste (Lepidium).

The fresh tubers are grilled in owen and used like sweet potatoes or the dried tubers are processed into a porridge (Mazamorra).

Dried tubers can be stored over a long period of time (up to 7 years) without losing proteins and minerals.

Maca - Plants are more likely to feel comfortable in cooler areas around 10ºC and at high locations (like mountain areas).

Quantity 80 seeds

Germination approx. 21 days at 22ºC, germination with light

Woolly Lamb's Ear Seeds (Stachys byzantina)

Stachys Byzanthina is native to the Near Middle East and the Caucasus. It has the name due to its soft hairy leaves (the hair serves as protection against dehydration in high temperatures). The plant tolarates well dry climate and is therefore often used as a soil-covering plant for rockeries. The plant has few problems with pests, is hardy and quite robust and tolerates a sunny location. However, wetness is not tolerated, therefore pay attention to have a well-permeable substrate.
As a medicinal plant, it was particularly popular in times of war as a wound dressing (better blood clotting, anti-inflammatory).
In popular medicine, the plant is also used for eye infections, insect bites and asthma.
 

Quantity 200 Seeds

Germination approx. 21 days at 22ºC, germination with light

Thai or Mexican coriander seeds (Eryngium Foetidum)
SYN: Cilantro, Recao

It has a true taste of cilantro but much stronger, especially the fresh leaves. The Eryngium Foetidum is particularly popular in Latin America and southeastern Europe.

In popular medicine, Mexican coriander is especially used for digestive problems.

Quantity 25 Seeds

Germination approx. 20 days at 18-22ºC

Musk okra seeds, ornamental okra (Abelmoschus moschatus)

This plant is a "multiuse" in our aromatic garden . This beautiful perennial with yellow hibiscus flowers can reach about 2m high and is native to tropical and subtropical region of Asia.

Light: Full sun

Multiplication: by seeds is very simple.

In winter: Abelmoschus moschatus tolerates temperatures up to -3 in outdoors. The harshness of winter we can solve by covering it with leaves and twigs.

Uses: It is famous for the excellent qualities of its essential oil (ambrette) obtained from its seeds and has long been used as a substitute for animal musk in the perfume industry. Unfortunately, currently only low cost synthetic substitutes are used but if you want to experience their excellent aroma heat their seeds and you will enjoy the smell!  Also the fibres are similar to jute.

In the kitchen: Musk okra is related to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus),, so it is not surprising that in some places the green pod is used cooked.

Medicinal: It is an important plant in Ayurvedic medicine with many uses.

Quantity 20 seeds

Germination approx. 14-21 days at 18ºC

Velvetleaf seeds (Abutilon theophrasti)

This plant belongs to the family of the mallow family, its exact origin is unknown, probably coming from Central Asia.

Very easy to grow as abutilon can resist values ​​of pH from 5 to 8.2 and does not need much irrigation. In northern Europe, it is one of the most cultivated mallows during April.

In China velvetleaf is grown mainly as a textile plant, but in Europe it has not been able to replace flax, hemp and cotton crops. Seeds and green pods are edible and roots, leaves and seeds are used in herbal medicine. A tea of ​​dry leaves helps in dysentery and fever, as well as dried and ground seeds. A tea made from dried root is also used for incontinence.