Fashionable researchers are inspecting its anti-inflammatory properties and potential cancer-fighting compounds like glucobrassicin. It’s even having fun with a resurgence within the UK as a pure ink supply.
Also called asp-of-Jerusalem, dyer’s plant, pastel, glastum, or dyer’s weed, I. tinctoria might be grown as an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial.
When the plant isn’t in bloom, it’s simple to determine by the white vein operating down the center of its lanceolate leaves. After flowering, the darkish seed pods can provide the crops an almost black look, particularly once they develop in massive clusters.
Dyer’s woad appears to be like like and is carefully associated to chinese language woad (I. indigotica). This species can technically make dye, nevertheless it has by no means been broadly used for this function. It’s in style as a medicinal herb.
The way to Develop
Woad is an undemanding plant that does finest in xeric or mesic websites, which implies it wants little water, numerous solar, and actually good drainage.
Gentle
Woad wants full solar to develop and flower at its finest. Whereas a contact of afternoon shade in hotter zones gained’t harm, something lower than six hours of direct solar will result in weak development and few flowers.
Shade tends to be its downfall, and it merely gained’t thrive in darker corners of the backyard.
Soil
This plant prefers dry, considerably sandy soil. I at all times discovered it in Utah rising alongside species like sagebrush (Salvia leucantha) and coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), that are recognized for surviving in nutrient-poor, arid floor.
It’ll tolerate richer soils, however provided that the soil is well-draining. Keep away from planting in heavy clay or compacted loam.
Water
Woad is drought tolerant as soon as established and prefers to dry out between waterings.
Overwatering can simply result in rot. Water sparingly and solely when the soil is dry just a few inches down.
Fertilizing
The crops have a low nitrogen requirement and fortunately develop in depleted soils. However should you’re cultivating it for dye manufacturing, feeding within the spring can enhance foliage development.
Use a nitrogen-rich modification resembling blood or feather meal, which inspires leafy development.
It’s also possible to apply a layer of well-rotted compost as mulch, however maintain it gentle to keep away from enriching the soil an excessive amount of.
Right down to Earth Feather Meal
My go-to is Feather Meal, and you will discover it in four-pound packages from Right down to Earth at Arbico Organics.
Facet costume the crops simply because the leaves start to emerge in early spring. Feather meal is slow-releasing, so it’s going to proceed to feed the plant all through the spring and summer time.
The place to Purchase
Woad isn’t widespread and also you most likely gained’t even discover it in specialty nurseries.
You’re most likely going to must go searching on-line. Shops focusing on dye crops or medicinal herbs will typically carry the seeds.
Upkeep
These crops are usually monocarpic, which implies they die after flowering.
When a plant finishes blooming, go forward and take away the useless materials to maintain pests and fungi from taking on residence within the decaying foliage.
The crown and roots can generally survive into the next 12 months. However until the plant experiences a minimum of a month of temperatures beneath 39°F, it gained’t rebloom.
If you wish to forestall it from spreading, reduce off the flower heads earlier than they set seed. Woad reproduces solely by seed, so should you cease the seeds from forming, you cease the unfold.
