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Bergamont

Bergamont

The bergamont herbs are perennial plants native to North America and are members of the mint family Lamiaceae. The blossoms, appearing

in dense clusters stem terminal, last from July through September and make the plant an attractive addition to gardens. Members of the bergamont family come in a variety of colors – red, purple, or white. They can also have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas. The individual flowers are tubular which is perfect for hummingbirds while bees and butterflies attract as well.

Bergamont varieties have been valued for ornamental, culinary, and medicinal uses. The leaves appear very much like the leaves of mint. The edges of the leaves are serrated. The main difference being that wild bergamont leaves are longer than their minty cousins. The leaves are lanceolate or ovate. They are 2 to 3 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Leaves are light green and grow opposite each other on the stem (every leaf will have a twin opposite it on the stem.  The stems are square shaped (as are the stems of all members of the mint family) and if you cut the stem, you will see that the stem is hollow. It has its relatives’ shallow, dense root system.

Red bergamont is also known as “bee balm” and was once known as Oswego tea. Wild

bergamont (most common one) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States.

The plant reaches a height of about one meter and has a wider geographical distribution than other Monarda species. Wild bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) and Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) are in the same genus, but they are different species in the same family. They look similar and can be grown side by side, but they are not the same plant. Many people mistakenly refer to wild bergamont (Horsemint) as Bee Balm which has the scent of oranges. They also have common names like Scarlet Monarda, Lemon Bee Balm, and Lemon

Bergamont (Monarda citriodora ).
Introduction
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Description

Optimal Time/Temperature for Germination:
These hardy plants can survive at – 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-28 Celsius). Check your local nursery or look online for seeds may need to be raised in trays before transferring to the garden space. If you want to sow inside and then move the sprouts outside, you have to wait until March. Bergamot grows well in zones 3-8. Germination takes place in 10 to 14 days at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius). If you do not want to establish seedlings, simply scatter the seeds on the ground or in potting soil in a pot and use your fingers to press them into the soil. Alternatively, the plant can be grown from root divisions taken in spring or autumn/fall, or from stem cuttings taken in the summer. Growing from seeds is slow, so you may prefer this method. Be-cause they are so hardy, you can also plant cuttings without roots. In early summer, you can cut shoots 3 to 4 inches long. Plant these into potting soil. In early fall, these can be planted out into your flower beds. They grow roots and establish themselves very quickly.
Optimal Soil Conditions:
Sow seeds shallowly and cover lightly in a seed raising tray. Add a source of heat beneath the tray if needed. When seedlings grow, transfer to the garden spot after harden-ing off. (root cuttings, transplant directly. ) Bergamont loves soft soil that holds moisture well. It is well suited to loam, sandy loam, or clay. The soil needs to be well-drained and rich in nutrients, so add a large amount of compost during planting. Soil pH preference is 6.0 to 7.0. Bergamont loves morning sun and afternoon shade. Make sure it has a lot of direct sunlight in the morning and that it is sheltered from the sweltering sun in the afternoon. It will do fine with partial or full shade in the afternoon. The plants do best with at least 6 hours of full sun a day.
Seed Planting Depth, Spacing and Procedure:
Carefully brush the seeds into the tray and press the seeds gently into the fertile soil but do not bury the seeds, just anchor them for they are tiny. Later, thin out the seedlings or transplant them to 18 in. apart. They are vigorous growers and will spread a lot. Bergamont grows into a very large bush in spring and summer. Spacing the plants properly will help ensure they do not grow unruly. If you are planting single plants, make sure there is an 11-inch perimeter around the plant. If you want to plant a row of plants like along a border fence, plant each plant leaving an 11-inch space in each direction.
Best Companion Plants and Plants that Hinder:
Bergamont is a good companion plant for tomatoes and fruit trees. What’s more, a leaf or two tucked in a hat or pocket, will help repel pesky mosquitoes and gnats. Because it tolerates a wide range of garden conditions and is aggressive enough to hold its own against all comers, planting it with Joe Pye weed makes for a great combination. The daisy-like flowers of the Rudbeckias are contrasted with the clustered flowers of the mo-narda providing interest beyond color in the summer garden. If the summer garden plan calls for soft pastels and look for a daisy shape to complement it, then Echinacea purpurea (purple cone flowers) are just the thing.

Growing Instructions

Crop Maintenance

If you cut the plants back in early summer the plants will quickly grow back and bloom beautifully. Do not throw the cuttings away. You can replant the cuttings anywhere there is a gap in your yard and the stems and leaves can be dried out to make a delicious tea. If you find shoots coming up where you do not want them, just pull them out. Because of the shallow rhizomes and the moisture in the soil, it will be very easy to pull out unwanted plants. You can plant these wherever you have a gap. If it is grown in the correct place and the soil is nutritious and fertilized, a single bergamont plant can grow into a bush that is 47 inches high and wide. Cut down to ground level in autumn/fall and mulch it well to expect its return next spring. Once planted, bergamont will seed readily but it should be subject to regular division, to remove the dead center. Aim for dividing every three years.
Moisture Requirements & Solutions:
Water on a regular basis to keep moist but don’t over-water. During winter, water your bergamont once a week. During the summer months, you can water your bergamont once or twice per month depending on rainfall. If you are growing your bergamont from seed, do not use a hose or watering can to water your trays. The seeds are extremely small and lightweight and will wash away. Always water seedlings with a spray bottle.
Weeding Needs & Solutions:
One good clean-up while it is still cool in spring does the job, then add mulch. Apparently, sand eats compost because it sure vanishes unless you continue adding more. So dress the perennials at least once a year with compost.
Feeding Needs/Optimal Natural Fertilizers:
Fertilizer is not typically necessary. Apply only a sprinkling of a balanced fertilizer in spring, if desired. An excess amount of fertilizer can prompt powdery mildew and rapid or rampant succulent growth. So when you do, work organic nutrients from com-post, blood meal, or cottonseed meal into the soil for its adequate growth.
Pests, Diseases & Solutions:
Bergamont is deer resistant and mosquitoes hate it. Powdery mildew will cause leaves to become discolored. This is purely cosmetic but not harmful. To correct the problem, keep the ground moist, cut off all diseased leaves, spray the plant with water regularly (try spraying with a power sprayer or turn the tap on full and hit the powder head-on), and try to improve ventila-tion around the plant. To reduce the re-occurrence of powdery mildew, move clumps of the plants every 2 years to limit the opportunity for mildew to develop. For Leaf Spot Fungus follow the same process. Both conditions can also be treated with a natural, bee-friendly product Fungicide. However, they are not recommended on plants that will be used for food or medicine.
When to Harvest/Number of days to maturity:
If you are planting from seed, it will take 3 years for the plant to mature completely. From year 3, your ber-gamont will bloom beautifully every year (it does bloom from year 2, but the best blooms start in the 3 rd year). Collect leaves in spring or summer. The flowers can be picked when opened.
How to Harvest:
Cut the stem with pruning shears or a sharp knife a few inches from the ground. Hang upside down in an airy room where the temperature is between 65-70. Space the plants a few inches apart and provide ventilation via an open window or small circulating fan. Inspect the plants every few days to make sure they’re drying. Allow 10 days to 2 weeks to fully dry. When the leaves can be crushed with your fingers, strip the leaves and store them in paper bags. Alternatively, you can dry individual leaves on baking racks or in a dehydrator.
Optimal Storage temperature and conditions:
The flowers and leaves are edible. Bergamont can be added to stews, sauces, and roasts, used sparingly in salads, fruit drinks, lemonade, teas, or apple jelly . For the tea, infuse or simmer the leaves for 10 minutes in an enamel or glass saucepan. It is a very aromatic plant that is very pleasant and makes a lovely addition to any cut flower arrangement.
Optimal Preserving Procedures:
Seed Saving:
Seed heads begin to form after blooming. It will take them 6 weeks to mature. The tubular seed heads hold seeds. These can be harvested from dead blooms and planted or stored. Placing the flower heads in a paper bag shaking it vigorously . Use a screen or sieve to separate the chafe from the seed. Screened seed can be stored in plastic bags, small jars, or in an envelope when they are 100% dry. Store in a cool, dark place. Seeds remain usable for 2 years. Remember to harvest the seeds before you throw the blooms away. Try to harvest some seeds every year. That way you will have seeds if you want to plant more elsewhere in your yard.

Harvest and Storage

Notes

Although there have been no proven toxic reports with thymol (strong antiseptic) from the Monarda species some folks seem to have concern. One report had clarified it is absolutely safe for dogs and cats. If you’re growing your own monarda from seed you should purchase seeds of native varieties of monarda. Alternatively, you could purchase starter or full-grown plants from a nursery. Check with your local extension agent to see if native varieties are available in your area. Earl Grey tea is made with oils extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit, not the berga-mot herb.

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