Chia seeds are very easy to sprout and grow at home. You can grow chia seeds plant from seeds at home quite easily and quickly, as I have grown in Australia. You can grow chia seeds without soil, in water or on a paper towel. Growing chia plant at home indoors or outdoors, is very attractive as you can watch how they sprout and grow into plants and harvest their leaves and seeds. Chia plants can grow up to 3 feet tall. They produce purple flowers just in 6-8 months which develop chia seeds.
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| Chia Seeds |
Chia seeds come from the Salvia hispanica plant, a member of the mint family. Chia seeds have become a popular superfood in recent years due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants.
Growing Chia Seeds at Home
The chia plant grows best in warm climates in plenty of sunlight. However, you can grow them indoors also if you can maintain the right conditions as mentioned below.
Soil
Chia seeds are relatively low-maintenance, but they do need good soil to grow. Chia plants thrives in loose, well-draining sandy, loamy or slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Chia plants do not like standing water, so it is essential to plant them in well-draining soil.
Pot
If you are growing in a container, it must have drainage holes to drain excess water. Choose a shallow container as the roots are not very deep.
Planting Chia Seeds : Sow Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are not needed to be soaked prior to sowing. They do not need any seed preparation. but they’re easy to sow.
Fill a shallow container with soil mixture as mentioned above. Sprinkle the chia seeds evenly over the surface of the soil. Gently press them into the soil using your fingers, do not bury them. Chia seeds are incredibly small, do not bury them too deep in soil, a light covering of soil will be sufficient.
After planting, water lightly, ensuring the soil is moist, not soggy.
Chia Seeds Germination
The chia seeds are quick to germinate, they will grow seedlings within 7 to 14 days.
Too dry or too wet soil conditions can cause low germination rates . Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not soggy.
Thinning and Spacing
Chia plants need space to grow well to reach their full potential. Thin out the plants once they start growing, leaving about 12-18 inches between each plant.
Chia Growing Conditions
Temperature and Sunlight
Chia seeds grow well in warm temperatures between 21°C to 29°C (70°F to 85°F) in full sunlight. Outdoors, plant chia plants in a location with full sun.
If you are growing chia indoors, select a well-lit area, or a sunny window sill with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily or you can use grow lights.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Chia plants are sensitive to overwatering, which can cause root rot. Ensure the soil has proper drainage.
Once the plants are established, you can reduce watering frequency.
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| Chia Plants grown From Seeds |
Stacking
Chia plants will need support to prevent them from breaking in the wind, specially if growing outdoors in windy areas. Use plant stakes or cages or trellis to keep support them.
Fertilization
if your soil is rich in nutrients, then fertilization may not be necessary. You can, however, feed a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Pests
Aphids and whiteflies can be a problem, especially if you're growing chia outdoors. Treat your chia plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Chia Flowers
Chia plants typically take about 3-4 months to reach maturity and produce small purple flowers.
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| Chia Flowers |
Harvesting Chia Seeds
You van harvest the chia seeds when the flowers have dried and turned brown. The seeds will be small, gray, or black, and can be easily separated from the pods when ripe.
To harvest, simply cut the seed heads and place them in a paper bag or container. Shake or rub the pods to release the seeds. Allow the seeds to air dry for a few days.
Storing Chia Seeds
Dry chia seeds should be stored in an airtight container to preserve their freshness and place it at a cool and dry place. Chia seeds, if stored properly have a long shelf life and can last for months.
Growing chia seeds at home is simple, quick and easy if you take care of sunlight, well-draining soil and consistent moisture, and enjoy a good harvest of this nutritious superfood.