Trendy 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 referred to as 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 working down the center of its lanceolate leaves. After flowering, the darkish seed pods may give the crops a virtually black look, particularly once they develop in giant clusters.
Dyer’s woad seems to be like and is carefully associated to chinese language woad (I. indigotica). This species can technically make dye, but it surely has by no means been extensively used for this goal. It’s fashionable as a medicinal herb.
How you can Develop
Woad is an undemanding plant that does finest in xeric or mesic websites, which implies it wants little water, plenty of 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 received’t damage, 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 received’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 identified 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 a number of inches down.
Fertilizing
The crops have a low nitrogen requirement and fortunately develop in depleted soils. However when you’re cultivating it for dye manufacturing, feeding within the spring can enhance foliage development.
Use a nitrogen-rich modification equivalent to blood or feather meal, which inspires leafy development.
You may as well apply a layer of well-rotted compost as mulch, however hold it gentle to keep away from enriching the soil an excessive amount of.
All the way down to Earth Feather Meal
My go-to is Feather Meal, and you’ll find it in four-pound packages from All the way 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’ll proceed to feed the plant all through the spring and summer season.
The place to Purchase
Woad isn’t widespread and also you most likely received’t even discover it in specialty nurseries.
You’re most likely going to should go searching on-line. Shops specializing in 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 lifeless 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 at the very least a month of temperatures under 39°F, it received’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 when you cease the seeds from forming, you cease the unfold.