One of the most well known, wild medicinal herbs in America, goldenseal grows to one foot high, and supports one main leaf and multi-lobed secondary leaves. Its seed are grown in clusters of fruits. This native perennial was formerly abundant in open woodlands having good natural drainage and an abundance of leaf mold. Its range is from southern New York and Ontario, west to Minnesota, and south to Kentucky and Georgia.
The old white freesia, F. alba, is still most desirable. It bears its snow white blooms on stems ten inches long; colored hybrids grow a few inches taller. Under proper conditions the plants remain in bloom for about two weeks, and through successive plantings made two weeks apart, a continuous supply of blooms may be obtained in the greenhouse or house.
During its blooming season, G. jasminoides must be kept thoroughly wet and not allowed to dry out, but in winter it is kept fairly dry. G. Veitchii is an ever blooming gardenia, the most popular hothouse or house plant variety.
Like ginseng, goldenseal must be grown in the shade of a wood land or a lath house. The soil should be well fertilized, preferably with decaying vegetable matter.
Raw bone meal and cotton seal can also be used to advantage. In October, seed may be broadcast or planted ” inch apart in rows six inches part in a well-prepared seedbed. Cover seed with fine leaf mold to the depth of one inch. In winter, the seedbed should be protected with burlap or fertilizer sacks.
Gardenias demand a very acid soil, with a pH of 4.5 to 5. This may be supplied by well-composted sawdust or oak leaves. Leaves that fall from the plant, as well as its own faded flowers, may be placed on top of the soil to form a self-mulch. If the foliage shows a tendency to turn yellow, a handful of rotted manure or cottonseed meal may be mixed with the top layer of soil.
An abundance of moisture is the most important factor in successfulgardenia culture.Plant containers may be placed in trays or bowls in which water is allowed to stand to a dept equal to the depth of gravel or rubble in the bottom of the flowerpot. If sufficient water is supplied, the plants will be free of bud rot, which causes the buds to drop before flowering. Humidity around the leaves can be kept high by putting a plastic bag over the plant.
Goldenseal still has many medicinal values. When combined with bicarbonate of soda, it can be used to treat sore throats and inflammation of the mouth. It is sometimes used in eyewash applications as well. Goldenseal is still a home remedy for upset stomachs and is used as a laxative.
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