Power-packed Purslane

(Page 3 of 3)

April/May 2005
 
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After a week or so, the yellow flowers give way to small, dark, pointed seed capsules that, when mature, break open and release an abundance of tiny, black seeds, each about the size of a grain of sand. Under ideal conditions, a single purslane plant can produce up to 200,000 seeds!

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If you do not find purslane growing wild, many companies listed at right sell seeds for golden purslane (Portulaca sativa) or garden purslane (Portulaca oleracea). These varieties grow upright rather than horizontal and have larger leaves than wild purslane. They also are more tender and easier to harvest and clean.

Because it is susceptible to frost, purslane does not emerge until the soil is quite warm. In most U.S. climates, it can be sown starting in May. Plant the seeds in shallow trenches 4 to 6 inches apart, then cover them lightly with about a quarter inch of soil. Keep the planted seeds moist until all the plants have sprouted. After the plants are about 1 inch tall, they won’t need much attention. Plants will be ready for harvesting in four to six weeks.

Seed Sources

Johnny’s Selected Seeds
(800) 854-2580
www.johnnyseeds.com


Nichols Garden Nursery
(800) 422-3985
www.nicholsgardennursery.com


Territorial Seed
(541) 942-9547
www.territorial-seed.com

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