I don't really know much (ie anything) about this herb. This cutting was part of a bouquet given to me by my friend Stacey, she has it growing everywhere in her garden. Googling it produces heaps of alternative names, Mother of Herb, Country Borage and Three in One to name a few, but Stacey called it Five Spice, so that's what I'm calling it too.
Five Spice is a little bit fabulous. Its leaves are fat and furry, every time I go into the kitchen where I have it sitting in water I need to touch the leaves. And of course touching it releases its lovely lovely aroma. I can't really explain what it smells like, other than to say it smells like a herb... does that help?
I wasn't sure how to treat Five Spice, so I stuck it in a vase of water. That was last Thursday, so a week ago now. And if I am not mistaken, Five Spice is shooting teeny tiny roots from the stalk under the water.
I haven't tried to shoot anything in water before, and I am not sure at what stage I am to plant this out. I want to do it right, because I am quite excited about Five Spice, and don't want to kill it. I have read, although am skeptical, that apart from culinary uses, a leaf steeped in boiling water will send you to sleep.
I'd like to try that.
Though not on the children of course.
7 comments:
Ali, when you say that it smells like a herb, I take it that you don't mean it smells like the (Chinese) 5--Spice powder??
Looking forward to seeing pictures of the planned new addition to your household...
lol, do you mean that I think it smells like an illicit plant? I didn't, I just meant that it smelt like something you would cook with, like oregano or rosemary. It's a strong smell. I don't think I could say what 5 spice powder smells like, I am not good with smells.
But it smells good!
I am excited about the kitten, but a bit worried for my furniture. Any tips? I should invest in a scratching post, shouldn't I?
It's a member of the Mint family so it will sprout roots readily in water - most of the mints will do that. Which is one of the reasons why some mints will just about take over the planet - they are enthusiastic growers!
The '5 Spice' as you call it, smells and tastes more like Sage than anything else ... it's very strong and if you're going to use it in a stew for example, then 'less is definitely more'. Didn't know it worked for insomnia!
'Illicit plants' which I take to mean Mary Jane or Weed smell like Moxa the Acupuncturists use. Don't know what it tastes like though.
I'd go with the scratching post and along with house training, getting the kitten to use it shouldn't be too hard. They are very bright but unwilling to please anyone other than themselves. They say dogs have owners, but cats have staff.
Happy Pussmas to You, Happy Pussmas to You, Happy Pussmas dear Ali, Happy Pussmas to You!
Aww Hazel, merry Christmas you gorgeous young thing, you too Elaine :)
Elaine, it is a strong smell, I can imagine it taking over in a dish if you were too heavy handed with it. The sleep thing I just read about on one site, no one else mentioned it... wouldn't it be lovely though!
Merry Christmas lovely people :)
I love it when cutting throw out those little roots - its like magic - but then gardening in general is...
That's a lovely way of putting it Byddi, it's a little thrill each time, isn't it.
And thank you for joining my blog, Merry Christmas!
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