Andrographis paniculata Kalmegh 500 - 21,000 seeds 2

Description

Andrographis paniculata Kalmegh bulk seeds
The seeds just arrived from India, April 28, 2022'
Annual but long-season, fully maturing in 160 days. Can be harvested for the active portion (leaf) well prior to that time.  Often self-seeding in the right conditions (extended warm conditions).  May go from early flowering back into vegetation phase and then flower again in late season.
(Kalmegh, Chuan-xin-lian, King of Bitters) Annual, native to China and India, flowering spotted white to a height of 18 inches and equally broad. The upright follicle seedpods (pictured) are characteristic.  The follicle ripens from green to brown and then summarily splits, shooting its seeds to a distance.  Rare in the trade and highly desired plant. Traditional usage (TAM, TWM): bitter digestive, pandemics, vermifuge. Prefers full sun and regular garden conditions, and will even thrive in poor soil. Shady conditions will promote leaf growth and slow flowering and seed production. Start early in greenhouse and transplant out after frost.  Space plants 2 feet apart–they become quite bushy when really happy.   Cultivation: Use a sandy mix, press seed into surface, keep warm, moist and in the light.  Germination in 10 days and ongoing.
Growing Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) from Seed.
Andrographis has a hard waxy seed coating which allows the seeds to remain viable for long periods of time in hot climates. However it makes it harder for the seed to break dormancy. Much research has been done on this plant since it is so important in Ayurvedic medicine and the consensus is that the seeds should be soaked in hot water for five minutes before sowing.
The temperature of the water should be around 50°C (122°F) for five minutes. Do not use boiling water and do not leave the seeds in the hot water for longer than five minutes or the viability can be decreased. After seeds have soaked sow them in seed trays or plug trays, see our general growing instructions for more detailed information on how to do this. When pots are filled add a thin layer of sand just before seeds are sown to provide some extra sharpness that will help scratch the tiny seeds outer coating and aid in germination. Cover seeds with a very thin layer of seeding mix, the seeds are small and don't like to be buried too deeply. Using this method we have found we get about an 85% germination rate on our seeds. Without this germination can be erratic and as low as 20%. Germination takes about 5-7 days using this method.