Is anyone here currently growing stevia?
If so, tell us about your success/experience please.

I have added it but am not yet to the point of drying it and using it....I have used it fresh.

TYIA

The opinions listed above are mine.
I have a brain, sometimes I forget to use it.
Forgive me, my closest friends are chickens....

We have a stevia plant but have no clue how to use it.

I bought one last year and had great luck with it. It was producing all summer and most of fall ( I am zone 3). I forgot ot bring it in when it started to snow but it held up great and is starting to grow again right now.

Stevia anyone?

The opinions listed above are mine.
I have a brain, sometimes I forget to use it.
Forgive me, my closest friends are chickens....

My daughter bought me a plant a couple of years ago and it grew great! I do use it in my tea...I just put a few dry leaves in my loose leaf tea and really like it. I don't drink coffee but assume you would use it the same. I just dried the leaves in the dryer and vacuum packed them in a container. I really haven't looked at other ways to use it but would love to hear how others use it too!

I have grown stevia for a few years now.

From what I have read and experienced myself it's not very easy to get germination and start from seed... but this year one self-seeded and I have a stevia plant in my herb garden again. Must of liked all that composting material we layered onto the herb garden. I have had to buy plants every year until this year.

To use, I dry it like other herbs and then use in tea as a sweetener. You can also powder it and use it in baking.

Stevia seeds are so tiny, you have to be extra careful when handling them.

Paper towel method:

Place seeds you want to germinate in to a moist paper towel.
You must to keep them in a warm place. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last anticipated frost. Lightly cover and keep moist.

To retain moisture, simply put your wet paper towel within a ziploc plastic bag a
At germination, the outside shell of the seed splits and a tiny, white sprout called taproot pops out. When you see those little taproots coming out of the seeds, gently place them(root down) in to the soil Place in a south facing window or under grow lights until seedlings emerge. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.

Keep your soil equally moist for the next few weeks.
Don't drown them! Over watering presents a big problemTransplant to individual containers when seedlings have at least two pairs of leaves. Be careful not to overwater your stevia. Only give them a drink when you need to prevent wilting. Before transplanting into the garden, but after the last frost, "harden off" plants by setting in a shady location outdoors for one week. After last frost, set plants out in the garden, spacing 18" apart.


Stevia is ready for harvest 40 days after transplanting. Or keep it as a plant ...This herb is 300 times sweeter than sugar. And the small, green leaves are a sugar-free natural sweetener. Try fresh leaves in drinks or as an edible garnish. To make Stevia powder, dry individual leaves on screens or pull the entire plant and hang to dry. Store dried, crushed leaves in a airtight container





According to HealthFA.com:
Studies have shown the following benefits from using Stevia in your diet.

> Sugarless with no calories
> Will not affect blood sugar levels (neither up or down)
> 100% Natural
> Up to 300 times sweeter than sugar
> Heat and freezer stable (ideal for cooking, baking and freezing)
> Non-fermentable
> Flavour enhancer
> Plaque retardant Anti-caries (prevents cavities)
> Recommended for diabetics
> Non-toxic
> Extensively tested in humans and animals with no adverse effects.

Now that's what I call SWEET!

The opinions listed above are mine.
I have a brain, sometimes I forget to use it.
Forgive me, my closest friends are chickens....

I never even thought about doing this! Excellent idea! Can you still get these or is it too late in the year?

where do you find these plants? not at walmart or the local nurseries around here, least not at the ones ive looked at.

¸.·♥ ´¸.·*♥´¨) ¸.♥·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.♥ Alli, Servent of Jehovah God, Wife to Punktard , Mom to Di

You can get the seeds and the plants year round

The opinions listed above are mine.
I have a brain, sometimes I forget to use it.
Forgive me, my closest friends are chickens....