Candyleaf Dropshot is an edible annual African American variety. It is a member of the Composite family (Compositae) just like: yarrow, daisies, lemon herb, absinthe, marigold, endive, sunflower and bullet thistle. The flowers taste like liquorice or anise. Both the finely feathered, dill-like leaves and the flowers are edible. Ideal flower in any garden, it can also be grown in large pots, balcony boxes and other containers. The leaves and flowers are delicious in all kinds of dishes. Do not cook them too long to avoid loss of flavour. Also raw in desserts, in salads and in fruit salads, as a healthy snack, as a healthy candy to replace sugar.
This plant grows globular and does not grow very high. Also beautiful in ornamental and herb gardens. It can also be made into tea. It looks a bit like liquorice tea. It can be harvested from June till September. The plant flowers from October onwards. The plant blooms with pale yellow to cream-coloured flowers and has beautiful, feathered pale green leaves. This edible plant is also very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Non hardy annual. Height: 15 - 25 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: end May - August
Germination: 5 - 8 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Distance between the rows: 30 cm
Planting distance: 30 - 40 cm
Plant position: sunny - good drainage
Flowering period: May - October
Harvesting period: June - September
From the end of March, seeds can be sown indoors in a warm room or in a propagator. The soil temperature should be at least 15 °C. It is important that the temperature is as constant as possible, as this ensures better germination. Certainly do not let the temperature drop at night. A tray with moist sowing soil can be used for sowing, cover the seeds with a 1 - 1½ cm layer of sowing soil. After sowing and during germination, keep the soil well moist. Cover the tray with cling film or a lid.
Remove the cling film or lid as soon as the seedlings emerge. As soon as the young seedlings are big enough to handle, put them in separate pots. At the end of May, let them acclimatise to the outside temperature for a few days, avoiding frost. After this, they can be put in their permanent place. Keep 30 - 40 cm space.
From late May, when there is no more chance of night frost, they can also be sown directly in the garden in a prepared seedbed in the desired position. Sow thinly in rows 30 cm apart and cover the seeds with a 1 - 1½ cm layer of sowing soil. Press gently and then keep moist. When the young seedlings are large enough, thin out to 30 - 40 cm space per plant. Keep moist and weed-free. Protect the young seedlings from snails. Candyleaf needs a sunny position with good drainage. Keep moist and weed-free. Also sow some seeds in separate pots to fill empty spaces in your borders.
