Sunday, June 6, 2010

Growing Mint Leaves, Mentha without soil, using Simplified Hydroponics

Growing Mint Leaves, Mentha without soil, using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

  • Mint leaves or menthe soppu in kannada is a popular aromatic herb which is extensively used for culinary purposes in various dishes.
  • Mint leaves extract is used as an insecticide and its most effective against mosquitoes and ants
  • mint leaves consumed in the form of tea reduces stomach pain and some believe it is a strong diuretic
  • menthol is added in cigarettes as it blocks the bitter taste of tobacco
  • common antipruritic used against insect bites
  • commonly used in aroma therapy
Since mint leaves love cooler climate and is pretty much a shade loving plant, the challenge of growing such a plant in Mangalore's unforgiving heat conditions was something i was looking forward to

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Dec 3, 2009 mint leaves stem picked from market and placed in coco peat grow container

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Dec 9, 2009 grow nutrients added

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

jan 4, 2010 luxuriant growth and green color

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics


From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

feb 14, 2010 the mint leaves were then again re transplanted in different containers and the results were still amazing

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics


From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics


From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

No pesticides used, no chemicals sprayed

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

march 5, 2010 shows no sign of slowing down. even more growth

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics


From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics


Note
  • the grow containers were kept in my car shed and i didnt use shade net
  • even though mint leaves extract is an insecticide the plant is still susceptible to aphids and white flies, hence regular neem spray is a must
  • pluck the leaves along with the stalk to encourage more growth and lateral shoots
All pics and data by Pritham Denzil D'Souza
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13 comments:

  1. aspiringgardenerJune 11, 2010 at 10:19 AM

    Simpy WOW!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 27, 2010 at 6:50 AM

    Good work.I would like to try this. Did you use any manure? Mint leaves are called Pudina leaves in kannada. Menthe soppu means Fenugreek leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 27, 2010 at 6:55 AM

    Great work Preetham. I would like to try this. Did you apply any manure for the growth? Mint leaves are called Pudina in Kannada. Menthe soppu means Fenugreek leaves. Actually I tried growing Fenugreek using this method but plants didnt grow very well(May be because of the lack of mannure). Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 27, 2010 at 10:31 PM

    Sorry , yesterday I made mistake by writing mentha is not pudina, I wrong read it as methi. sorry. So need not post these comments.

    ReplyDelete
  5. metalfarmerJune 28, 2010 at 9:08 AM

    thanks mamta for the comment... and also the correction (slaps head)

    hydroponics is all about judicious use of manure... and hence the awesome green color in the leaves and the growth :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. arulJuly 9, 2010 at 8:06 AM

    Mint looks awesome!I am in Chennai. I want to grow mint as you did and send photos to your forum!
    I have to grow only I Container. Few questions:
    1. What do I fill in container, just coconut coir? or anything else? my concern is, will not water just drop through as coconut is highly porus!Please guide me. I want to learn from your experience.
    2.What NPK should I use, suggest any brand and grade?
    3.Should I just sprinkle the fertilizer or dissolve in water and pour into container? How mush quantity to add &how often?
    Sorry, long qns. I need not reinvent wheel!want to learn from your forum.
    Thanks in advance,
    narul

    ReplyDelete
  7. metalfarmerJuly 9, 2010 at 11:01 AM

    thanks narul.... for more about the wonders of hydroponics pls visit my other blog www.indianhydroponicspioneersassociation.blogspot.com

    or email me personally prithamdsouza@gmail.com and i will answer ur questions... :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. mumukshuJuly 29, 2010 at 2:49 AM

    Been seriously considering growing some vegetables on my terrace.Loved your videos on utube.will you consider visiting Pune and conducting a workshop on hydrophonic gardening?I am sure i can get togeter 25 people interested in such a workshop.
    Suchitra

    ReplyDelete
  9. metalfarmerJuly 29, 2010 at 5:46 AM

    thanks for the comments.. mumukshu.... pls email me prithamdsouza@gmail.com

    i will get u in touch with my mentors regarding this....

    ReplyDelete
  10. aspiringgardenerAugust 9, 2010 at 11:52 AM

    Hi Pritam,

    I have grown some mint in my yard. But offlate I am seeing some tiny caterpillars on the leaves...and seeing a whole lot of leaves being eaten up and the plant looks so sick...Is there any organic spray which I could use to weed these off.
    pls help.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. metalfarmerAugust 9, 2010 at 12:31 PM

    yes vannas, the tiny caterpillars are a serious pest....try spraying pure neem oil concentrate @5 ml per litre of water twice weekly for the first week... then once every week the following week, and then once every 10 days.... also try n get neem cake, which is available at the local grocery store and apply to the soil or the container which u grow the mint ....

    and in every case, when u see the caterpillars, u have to destroy them

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownFebruary 22, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    Hi Pritham,

    Please could you share the grow nutrient details?

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2023 at 7:19 AM

    RAZA

    ReplyDelete

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