Purslane Seeds 9g

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a low, sprawling succulent prized for its thick, juicy leaves and crisp reddish stems. The flavour is fresh and lemony-tart, brightest when picked in the early morning, making it a favourite for raw salads as well as quick cooking. Its mat-forming habit also looks attractive tumbling over beds and containers.

Planting

Direct-sow outdoors only once frost risk has passed and the soil is reliably warm, around 15 C or higher, as the plant is frost tender. Sow shallowly at about 6 mm deep, pressing the tiny seeds onto the surface since they need light to germinate. In Egypt, sow from mid/late spring through summer (roughly March or April to August or September in the Delta, and from February or March in Upper Egypt), making successional sowings every 2 to 3 weeks. Seeds sprout in about 7 to 10 days at 18 to 29 C. Thin seedlings to 10 to 15 cm apart.

Fertilizing

Purslane is not a heavy feeder. Work organic compost or well-rotted manure into the soil at planting to help plants establish; a single feed at the start of the season is usually enough. It responds especially to phosphorus, and to nitrogen and potassium, but avoid excess nitrogen which only drives lush weedy growth.

Care

Grow in full sun in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Though drought-tolerant, even moisture keeps leaves tender and palatable; avoid waterlogging, which can cause stem and crown rot. In peak summer give light afternoon shade and more frequent water. Watch for purslane sawfly and leafmining weevil. Leaves are ready 6 to 8 weeks after sowing; cut stems back to within 5 cm of the base for repeated cut-and-come-again harvests.