The Malabar Spinach offers large, meaty leaves that are remarkably spinach-like in flavor and growsrobustly in the heat of summer.Deep red stems of this vine provide a beautiful back drop in the garden. In fact, Basella Rubra, this plant, is used very effectively in the agricultural display at Epcot center.

50seeds

PLANTING

Basella rubra

Perennial:Zone10and above

Germination: 14-21 days, scarifyingor soaking seeds overnight aids germination

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 65-75F

Seed Sowing Depth:1/2″ deep

Sowing Indoors: 4-6weeks before the last frost. Provide65-75Fsoil temperature.Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot.Transplantafter last frost,12″ apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Zone 7 and above. Sow after the last frost when soiltemperature reach70F. Sow a few seeds every 12″ apart.

Harvest:Pick leaves and use them like spinach

Tips:Plant Malabar Spinach in fertile soil, amended with compost or well rotted manure and keep well watered. Malabar Spinach loves the heat but requires constant moisture (mulch well) and 80F plus for superb growth. Supply a trellis for this climbing vine.