Is anyone growing Stevia?

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Author Message   Stormdancer  My Weather Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 03:08 pm EST :    My sister's oncologist turned me on to this sweet plant and as luck would have it, I found some at one of our local stores here. Both plants I selected are very healthy looking, but before I repot them I'd like to find where they might do best. Our blistering heat here during the summer months makes even the hardiest plants wither and wilt. Cactus do well. Right now they are in three inch pots and I have them on my screened porch which has shade from the direct sun, but the heat and humidity get very high during the day. Everything else on the porch grows well. (coleus, wax begonia, Christmas cactus) Of course my main concern is keeping the deer away from them and the rabbits we have just recently discovered visiting. Thanks for your help. Karen aka Stormdancer Stormdancer - Florida, Zone "9/10"   Greth  Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 07:01 pm EST :    Stevia likes warmth, but also moisture. I reckon you have them in the best place now, maybe put them into a saucer of water if they aren't already. I'm going to visit a herb nursery later this week, I know she grows Stevia commercially, will try to remember to ask for you. Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"   Greth  Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 07:02 pm EST :    I did visit Lorraine, swapped a few plants and had a great time, but remembered to ask about your Stevia. She reckons it never has a problem with the heat, here in South Oz that means dry heat,over the century for sure, but she thinks humidity wouldn't hurt it either. She has had plants in the open garden up to knee high, maybe your 3" pots are not enough! Just now her plants are looking small and mediocre, but they don't like our winter frosts. Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"   Rain1950  My Time Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 02:20 pm EST :    YES!! I read about the benefits earlier this year and as luck would have it, local HD had 3" pots. Two plants are in a rectangular planter and growing like weeds. Rain1950 - Washington, Zone "8"   Stormdancer  My Weather Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 08:45 am EST :    Hi Dave, Sorry its taken so long to answer your post. I have transplanted mine to gallon pots since my first post and they are growing well. You say you had read about the benefits of Stevia? May I ask if there is a link you might have that I could check out? I don't know much about the plant itself. Sis's oncologist is from India and had told us how her family used the plant for sweetening their drinks while the British controlled sugar. I'm an herb nut myself so thought I'd give it a shot. Would appreciate any information I can get on this sweet plant. Thanks, Karen Stormdancer - Florida, Zone "9/10"   Stephie  Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 11:39 am EST :    It is VERY sweet but does not affect blood insulin levels (and I have also heard the same thing about pure maple syrup). You can dry the leaves to make it into a powder too. Remember that it has an intense sweetness. Do not know how it is used for baking. Stephie - B.C., Zone "8"

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