Land Preparation
The land sites are plowed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.
Transplants
Transplants
Transplants from cuttings would be superior, however cost makes it prohibitive. Stevia must be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in a greenhouse for a period of 7 – 8 weeks.
Planting
Planting
Depending on different climatic conditions Stevia is cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia plants are planted into the field on a maximum spacing of 61 cm row spacing with a minimum total plant density in the order of 30,000 plants per acre.
Fertilization
Fertilization
The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements; however a soil test should be conducted. We are committed and encourage total organic cultivation.
IrrigationNormally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week.
Weed Control
IrrigationNormally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week.
Weed Control
This crop also requires hand hoeing and weeding.PestsInsect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease can cause considerable damage to the Stevia crop. Animals seem to like the sweet taste of stevia, too.
Harvesting
Harvesting
Time of harvesting depends on land variety and growing season. Generally it can be scheduled when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering. Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant can tolerate very low temperatures.
Drying Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C. An estimated 10,000 kg/acre of green weight is dried down to 2000 kgs. of dry herbage per acre.
Threshing
Drying Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C. An estimated 10,000 kg/acre of green weight is dried down to 2000 kgs. of dry herbage per acre.
Threshing
Immediately following drying, a specially designed thresher/separator is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem. Stem and leaf portions tend to be equally represented at 2000 kgs / acre each.
The care and feeding of Stevia
Stevia plants do best in a rich, loamy soil -- the same kind in which common garden-variety plants thrive. Since the feeder roots tend to be quite near the surface, it is a good idea to add compost for extra nutrients if the soil in your area is sandy. Besides being sensitive to cold during their developmental stage, the roots can also be adversely affected by excessive levels of moisture. So take care not to over water them and to make sure the soil in which they are planted drains easily and isn't soggy or subject to flooding or puddling. Frequent light watering is recommended during the summer months. Adding a layer of compost or your favorite mulch around each stevia plant will help keep the shallow feeder roots from drying out. Stevia plants respond well to fertilizers with lower nitrogen content than the fertilizer's phosphoric acid or potash content. Most organic fertilizers would work well, since they release nitrogen slowly.
Storage
The care and feeding of Stevia
Stevia plants do best in a rich, loamy soil -- the same kind in which common garden-variety plants thrive. Since the feeder roots tend to be quite near the surface, it is a good idea to add compost for extra nutrients if the soil in your area is sandy. Besides being sensitive to cold during their developmental stage, the roots can also be adversely affected by excessive levels of moisture. So take care not to over water them and to make sure the soil in which they are planted drains easily and isn't soggy or subject to flooding or puddling. Frequent light watering is recommended during the summer months. Adding a layer of compost or your favorite mulch around each stevia plant will help keep the shallow feeder roots from drying out. Stevia plants respond well to fertilizers with lower nitrogen content than the fertilizer's phosphoric acid or potash content. Most organic fertilizers would work well, since they release nitrogen slowly.
Storage
After pruning, the leaves are dried in shade and then immediately sent to market for selling. The leaves are stored in gunnysacks in shade or in open in a room where there is no sunlight. If we want to keep the leaves, we can preserve them for 3 months. Even after 3 months, the leaves can be kept but then a bit of degradation starts likes excess shrinkage, black spots etc.
Manures & Growth Agents
As Stevia is for human consumption as a medicine, it is mandatory to do it naturally or with organic products. Growers can contact us to have the most effective products to increase the quality and quantity of the Stevia leaves and achieve additional profit.
Bed Preparation
Manures & Growth Agents
As Stevia is for human consumption as a medicine, it is mandatory to do it naturally or with organic products. Growers can contact us to have the most effective products to increase the quality and quantity of the Stevia leaves and achieve additional profit.
Bed Preparation
Raised beds are required for Stevia plantation. Therefore, 1 ft heighted and 1.5 ft wide beds are built.Time of PlantingStevia saplings can be sown any time of the year. It is advised not to plant saplings during excess rain, heat, and winter. Stevia planting can be done from August – December (till temperature of winter does not goes below 10 degree C). After that again Stevia planting can be started from January onwards and continues till March end (till temperature does not exceed 42 degree C).
Land Preparation
Land Preparation
Land preparation is very important in Stevia cultivation because once prepared, the beds will remain same for 5 years. Therefore, we have to enrich them with manure, growth promoters, and nutrients after the making of raised beds, which is prepared through deep plough & tilling.
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