Image – Wikimedia/Aomorikuma
Have you heard of the wasabi plant? Perhaps you have already purchased its stems or powders, both of which are edible. But the species used so much in Asian cuisines is still unknown to Westerners, even if we hope that what we are going to tell you about it here will help to make it known.
So if you are curious about its characteristics, culture and of course its uses, we’ll talk about it later.
Contents
Origin and characteristics of the wasabi plant
Image – Wikimedia/Nagarazoku
The wasabi plant, whose scientific name is Eutrema japonicum (before wasabia japonica), it is a perennial herb which belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is also known as Japanese horseradish, and it is an herb native to Japan, specifically, it is found near streams.
It reaches an approximate height of 40 centimeters and develops rounded leaves ending in a green tip. Are they grow from a relatively thick stem, about 5 centimeters thick. And the flowers come from a very fine flower stalk, and they are very small and white.
How long does wasabi take to grow?
The plant takes its time to reach adulthood, but if you like it spicy, the wait is worth it. It may take around 18 months to be readyand during all this time we must provide him with the necessary care so that he lacks nothing.
What uses does it have?
Wasabi is grown for its edibility, but it also has other uses. Let’s see what they are:
- Edible: the stem, once grated, is used as pepper, that is to say to add a spicy flavor to dishes such as sushi. Wasabi powder is also sold, which has the same use.
- Toothpaste: sometimes, with the stems a paste is made which is used to clean the teeth.
Its nutritional value per 100 grams is as follows:
Image – Flickr/David
- Water: 31.7g
- Energy: 292kcal
- Protein: 2.23g
- Fat: 10.9g
- Carbohydrates: 46.13g
- Fiber: 6.1g
- Sugars: 13.2g
How is the wasabi plant grown?
It is a plant that needs a lot of water, even more than other herbs grown in gardens, such as tomato plants or lettuce. Therefore, it is important to know their needs before deciding whether or not we are going to get seeds or seedlings:
Location
Japanese horseradish it should be grown outdoors, in a place where there is plenty of light but no direct sun. Similarly, it is recommended to plant it either in the basin if you have one, or in a pot under which we will place a plate so that the earth remains moist longer.
soil or substrate
- Flower pot: it is advisable to fill it with substrate for an urban garden, since it contains the nutrients necessary for its growth. Get it here.
- Garden: it is a plant that needs soil rich in organic matter and well drained. If the one we have in the garden is not like this, it is better to make a planting hole of 1 x 1 meter and fill it with the substrate mentioned above.
Irrigation and fertilization
The wasabi plant should be watered frequently; It is more, it is better not to let the soil dry out. For this reason, in summer we water every 1-2 days and the rest of the year every 3-7 days depending on the climate of the region. If it’s in a pot, we’ll put a plate under it and refill it whenever it runs out of water.
As for the subscriber, we will have to pay it from spring to end of summer. For this we will use organic fertilizers, such as guano (get it here), manure or compost. But if we grow it in a container, it is highly recommended to use liquid fertilizers. We will follow the instructions for use and in this way we will obtain excellent results.
Transplant
It should be planted in the ground or in a larger pot when the roots come out of the holes.. It is important to wait for this to happen, because if the plant is removed when it is not yet well rooted, the root ball will collapse and the roots could be damaged, which will delay the recovery and, consequently , his growth.
Related article:
transplant plants
Multiplication
Image – Wikimedia/Kolforn
the wasabi plant propagates by seed in spring. To do this, you need to follow this step by step:
- A nursery tray is filled with specific soil or one for an urban garden.
- Now we water it conscientiously.
- Then a maximum of 2 seeds are placed in each cell.
- They are then covered with a thin layer of soil.
- And finally the nursery is placed outside, in the shade.
The seeds will germinate in about two weeks, as long as the soil is kept moist.
hardiness
Frost resistant down to -18ºCit is therefore possible to grow it outdoors all year round in temperate regions.
What do you think of what we told you about the wasabi plant? We hope that you will be encouraged to cultivate it, even to cultivate it. You will surely enjoy it very much.