All growing chamomile plants
like to be grown in the full sun.
Germination is not high in
most of these plants (range 40-60% is average).
For use in the current year,
sow annuals indoors in the middle of March.
Germinate at 55-65F soil
temperatures and you
should see growth in two to three weeks.
Do not cover these seeds
with soil, they require light for germination.
Plant them
in individual pots, four to six seeds to a 3-inch
pot and thin to a single strong seedling. As they
transplant easily, you can sow thicker than this and
transplant to individual pots approximately a month
after the seed have sprouted.
Note
that while the very young seedlings move relatively
well, once they start to grow, they resent being
transplanted. This means that each seedling has to
have its own growing space and root damage on
planting in the garden is to minimized.
Move the growing plants
outdoors after last frost but acclimatize to outdoor
conditions. Grow and harvest flowers as they are
produced.
Do not cut back the foliage
before the flower harvest is started or the
production of flowers will drop dramatically.
And most herb producers do not
distinguish between the different species or
varieties of this plant for the herbal uses. The
annual plant is used by commercial growers.
Regardless of how healthy
growing chamomile is for you, it is ambrosia to
aphids and you’ll undoubtedly see them on young
plants. Wash them off with a strong jet of water or
use insecticidal soap. Harvest chamomile flowers
early in the morning when young and just opening.
There are several plants sold
under this name:
The so-called German strain is
Matricaria chamomilla and it has very finely
cut foliage producing heavy crops of single flowers.
It is an annual.
The perennial using the name
Roman chamomile is Anthemis nobilis which has
a stronger leaf fragrance, slightly fewer flowers
but doubles and finer cut leaves than the annual
Matricaria.
A double flowered
Chamaemelum nobile is used in Europe as a source
of flowers. There is a flowerless variety sometimes
sold as a plant for between paving stones and in
walkways.
The double Chamaemulum
nobile is most often sold as a started plant and
propagated by division. The others are easily
germinated from seed.
