Stevia

[pete_r]

My search but didn't bring much results, so here's my question: Has anyone had a go at growing Stevia in Thailand?

The plant can be used to make a natural sweetener.

Wikipedia has a general introduction here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

[sbk]

I looked at it once, but seem to recall it is difficult to germinate.

Read through this Purdue University article http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceed...999/v4-510.html

[NampeungMay]

Thank you for that. A very interesting link indeed... I think I am going to have a go at growing Stevia. I just moved to Chiang Rai and am trying to help out a friend who can no longer eat sugar (tough to do here in the Land of Smiles). Thanks again for the post!

[PaddyThai]

I import stevia from the USA although it is grown in Brazil. It's very expensive ( http://www.stevia.net/ ) and could be a good cash crop if it could be grown in Thailand.

[rice555]

Hello NampeungMay, I looked into growing it at one time for the same reason, but for myself.

Johnny's has a good price just for a casually seed search, you may be able to find better price with a web search.

Under herbs.

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

rice555

[Harcourt]

I found "Stevia" in an English-Thai dictionary a few years ago....albeit the Thai script pronounced it "ste-wee-ah" indicating it is an introduced word/plant, it also indicates that it has had some usage in Thailand.

[Maizefarmer]

Not on a commercial basis, but it has been experimented with in Thailand (and some is grown) - if you search through the "Farming in Thailand" section of TV there are some short notes on it some guys were discussing in 2007 if I recall correctly.