harvesting indigo seeds

To collect the seed of wild blue indigo, wait until the seed pods turn black and begin to open on their own, or at least rattle when shaken. At this point remove the pods from their stalks, open them fully and pull the seeds from the pods.

Can you grow false indigo from seed?

You can start Baptisia plants from seed, but they are slow to establish and it will probably be three years before you see flowers. Even a young false indigo plant will take at least two years to get established before you really start seeing it bloom. On the plus side, they are very long-lived.

How is indigo extracted?

The leaves were soaked in water and fermented to convert the glycoside indican present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin. They precipitate from the fermented leaf solution when mixed with a strong base such as lye, pressed into cakes, dried, and powdered.

Can you grow indigo?

To grow indigo in a cold country, you need a warm greenhouse, a conservatory or a sunny windowsill. Providing you can keep the plants warm, the earlier you sow indigo seeds the better, as you will have a longer growing season. I try to sow mine in early February, but you can sow indigo seeds as late as April.

When should I collect seeds?

You'll know it's time to harvest the seeds from your bean plants when the pods are dry, turning brow, and starting to open. Remove dry pods from your plants and allow the seeds to dry for two weeks on waxed paper before shelling.

Is false indigo poisonous to dogs?

Though not all plants are fatal, some can cause severe digestive problems, pain and discomfort. Some plant parts are non-toxic, while other parts on the same plant are toxic.
...
Plants Poisonous to Your Pets.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Poisonous Parts
Delphinium	Delphinium sp
Elderberry	Sambucus canadensis	berries
False Indigo	Baptistia spp.

Is false indigo invasive?

This shrub, which often forms thickets on riverbanks and islands, can be weedy or invasive in the northeast. Another False Indigo (A. herbacea) has whitish to blue-violet flowers in fan-like masses on top of the plant and gray-downy foliage with up to 40 leaflets.

How useful Indigo is today?

Indigo is used nematicide and can treat ranges of diseases such as scorpion bites, stomach and ovarian cancer. In past, the dye was used to provide color to the clothing apparels, and in modern times the substance is deployed for multipurpose.

How long can you leave indigo in your hair?

When you apply the indigo make sure to leave it in your hair at least 3-4 hours. Then CoWash it out and moisturize. Dry and style as usual. Henna hair color lasts 4-6 weeks.

What colors do you mix to make Indigo?

The primary colors that make up indigo are red and blue. Red and blue also can be mixed to make violet when used in equal parts. To make indigo, blue has to be the dominant color in the equation. The mathematical equation to produce indigo would be to mix one-third red and two-thirds blue.

Is Indigo hard to grow?

tall and produce pretty pink to blue flowers. Whether it grows as an annual or perennial depends on the climate. It does best in zones 9 and warmer, but in colder climates, it will grow as an annual. Growing indigo from seed is not difficult, but it does require warmth.

What does indigo look like?

Indigo is a rich color between blue and violet on the visible spectrum, it's a dark purplish blue. Dark denim is indigo as is Indigo dye.

Is Japanese indigo perennial?

Japanese Indigo is from the Polygonaceae family and grows best in hot or humid climates. ... This makes it a great dye plant for cooler climates, with an extended growing season. Japanese indigo can be annual, biennial or perennial depending on where it is grown.

Will 20 year old seeds grow?

There is a good chance that those old seed packets will have a high percentage of seeds that will germinate just fine. Most seeds, though not all, will keep for at least three years while maintaining a decent percentage of germination. And even a group of very old seeds may have 10 or 20 percent that still sprouts.

Why are farmers not allowed to save seeds?

This is why farmers don't save seeds. Using saved seeds are less reliable. Many times the traits you must value are just lost, or the risk of less than high quality crops is high. Farmers are hard nosed business people; they can't afford to risk weak harvests; they are willing to pay a premium for seeds that grow true.

How do you harvest seeds for next year?

Place in a jar of water and leave for a few days, swirling them in the water daily. After a few days, the seeds should have come free from the pulp and sunk to the bottom. Pour the liquid away and rinse the seeds. Leave them to dry on a paper towel and, when fully dry, store in an envelope in a cool, dry place.

Is Rosemary toxic to dogs?

Yes! Rosemary is healthy for your dog to eat and can even be used as a natural flea repellant. It also contains antioxidants that may prevent cancer and heart disease and is good for your dog's digestive issues given its antimicrobial properties.

Is Lavender toxic to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. The linalool is found in such small concentrations, however, that this is rarely an issue. Problems arise only if a dog ingests a very large quantity of lavender.

What leaves are poisonous to dogs?

The 16 Most Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs

#1 Sago Palm. These ornamental palms are popular in warmer climates and every part of it is toxic to dogs. ...
#2 Tomato Plant. With summer comes tomato plants in the garden. ...
#3 Aloe Vera. ...
#4 Ivy. ...
#5 Amaryllis. ...
#6 Gladiola. ...
#7 American Holly. ...
#8 Daffodil.

Should false indigo be cut back?

False Indigo Growing Tips and Care

Once planted, Baptisia plants don't like to be moved. ... No pruning is necessary, though some gardeners prefer to remove the dark seed pods as part of their Baptisia plant care regimen. Others like the look of the dark pods and leave them as contrast in the garden.

How do you prune an indigo bush?

Just shorten the plant by up to half its height to maintain desired size and shape. Pruning will also prevent the plant, which can reach heights and widths of 3 to 4 feet (1 m.), from becoming too large. During the summer, remove dead blooms and yellowing leaves regularly to keep the plant looking its best.

Is the indigo plant poisonous?

It is toxic to the liver because of antagonism to the essential amino acid arginine, with which it competes. One of its principal toxic actions is inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, an action likely associated with the development of corneal edema and ulceration of mucous membranes.