Greater burdock 'Tonkinokawa Long' (Arctium lappa), 5 seeds

The Great Burdock 'Tonkinokawa Long' is a Japanese variety of burdock root. It is grown for its root or for decorative purposes. Only the roots that form in the first year are tasty. The taste is bitter-sweet. Flowers do not form in the first year after sowing.

Seeds can be sown directly outdoors in the soil in autumn or directly in the soil in spring. You can also start indoors and later transplant outdoors. In all cases, seeds need light to germinate. The optimal temperature for germination is 18–22 °C. The seeds are quite large. Germination can be promoted by pre-soaking in water for 12 hours or by stratification. Seeds will germinate in about 7 days.

Seeds started indoors should be sown at a distance of 7 cm, or each seed in a separate pot. Since burdock forms a large taproot, it does not like the transplanting process. It is recommended to sow outdoors directly in the soil in May at a distance of 30 cm. To obtain large, long roots, ensure rich, well-drained, loose soil. Water regularly to maintain moisture. From sowing to harvest: 120-150 days.

If grown decoratively, burdock is not demanding of special soil conditions. The distance between plants is about 90 cm.