Purslane is one of the new gourmet plants , a delicacy rediscovered by French chefs that today refers to audacity and exclusivity.
Although it is a simple creeping plant , eyes have fallen on this leafy vegetable that you can include in your garden crops, so today we delve into its benefits to learn more about this plant that is widely used to make salads. .
Index
- 1 Origin of purslane
- 2 Planting and care
- 3 Irrigation, pruning and diseases
Origin of purslane
Purslane is a succulent plant with fleshy leaves whose scientific name is Portulaca oleracea L. and belongs to the Portulacaceae family . It is native to India and the Middle East and despite the fact that in some places it is considered an exclusive plant, in others it is treated as a simple weed.
This is why the plant grows almost anywhere, it even expands in rocky and poor places. Once harvested, the plant continues to grow and develop new leaves as the plant reproduces itself.
Planting and care
Some experts recommend placing the seeds of the plant in the refrigerator for two weeks and then moving them to a warm place, as germination will then be favored.
Beyond this, purslane can grow both in the ground and in pots, although always using soil enriched with organic fertilizer. The planting time is after the spring frosts and you just have to spread the seeds and press them with your hand to cover them with the soil. Then the area is watered avoiding excesses.
Being an edible creeping plant , purslane can grow in poor , sandy soils, although ideally they have good drainage. It is a plant that prefers filtered light, so place it in a semi-shaded place.
Germination occurs about two weeks after sowing and then it is time to transplant the shoot, when it is about 5 cm long.
Irrigation, pruning and diseases
During the summer it is best to water frequently due to the intense heat, but irrigation should be scarce during the rest of the year. On the other hand, it is a simple plant that does not need any pruning as it grows on its own. You can trim it down when it gets too long. Another good news is that it is very resistant to pests and diseases , so it is not affected by almost any enemy.
The purslane harvest occurs 60 days after sowing and as long as it is a young plant, otherwise the leaves will not be rich. It is enough to cut the leaves 1.25 or 2 cm from the ground and then wash them and consume them fresh.
