Wasabi is indigenous to Japan and a very well-liked plant that is praised for both its vivid green appearance and strong, spicy flavor. Belonging to the family of cabbage and mustard, wasabi grows slowly and needs chilly conditions to flourish.
As a result, growing True Wasabi outside of its natural habitat is difficult. But here is everything to help you growing and caring for this plant.
To determine when and where to plant wasabi, please refer to the following information.
Soil Requirements
Wasabi plants need soil that drains well, is slightly acidic with a pH of 6 to 7, and is high in organic matter. Adding compost or leaf mold would be an excellent way to enhance the fertility and texture of the soil.
Light Conditions
While they are sensitive to direct sunshine, wasabi plants like places that are partly or completely shaded. The ideal places for them to plant are in a garden with indirect light or beneath a tree canopy. Similar to this, you can think about utilizing filtered light if you're growing wasabi inside.
Spacing
A suitable spacing between each wasabi plant is necessary for its optimum growth and nourishment. To avoid crowding and promote proper air circulation, place them roughly 12 to 18 inches away from one another. Ultimately, this would reduce the chance of both diseases and pest issues.
Planting Period
To avoid the extremes of summer heat or winter cold, the optimum seasons to plant wasabi are the cooler months of spring or fall. Temperatures between 45°F and 70°F (7°C and 21°C) are ideal for wasabi growth.
Growing wasabi may be a fulfilling activity that provides real, nutritious flavors straight from your indoor or outdoor garden. This is a step-by-step guide on planting and growing Wasabi successfully:
1. Choosing the Right Location
For outdoor planting, you need to select a shaded or partially shaded area that is not under direct sunlight. A place under trees or near a north-facing wall could be ideal. Similarly, for indoor planting, you might want to use a spot with filtered or indirect light and good air circulation for anticipated humidity levels.
2. Preparing the Soil
Wasabi thrives in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 to 7 equipped with well-draining system. To enhance the fertility and drainage of the soil, mix it with organic matter like compost, leaf mold, or manure.
3. Planting Wasabi Seeds
Initiate with fresh Wasabi seeds and avoid older seeds since they have lower germination rates.
Grab a seed tray and fill it with the moist and well-draining soil. After placing the seeds on the surface, you need to cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil followed by watering the soil to keep it moist.
Take proper caution not to waterlog it. Since germination can take 4-6 weeks, the seed trays should be placed in a cool and shaded area having temperatures around 55°F to 60°F (13°C to 16°C).
4. Transplanting Seedlings
Having developed the seedlings about 2-3 inches in stature with several visible leaves, be prepared to transplant them on the ground. While doing so, the crown of the seedlings must be at the soil surface.
5. Watering
It is very crucial to water the Wasabi plant regularly and keep the soil moist. If you are growing indoors or in significantly dry areas, then you might want to use a humidifier to help maintain the humidity.
Wasabi plants have special requirements and growing environments, thus care must be taken with them. Here are a few essential areas to concentrate on for a flourishing and robust Wasabi:
Fertilizing
You need to feed the Wasabi plants with the preferable water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the initial development season to grow them fully nourished. Also, take proper care not to overdo it which may harm the plant and can cause the leaves to burn.
Pruning and Maintenance
Yellow colouring leaves denote the damaged ones so you will need to trim or remove them regularly to give space for the new growth. While weeding the plants, take extra caution not to damage the shallow roots of the plants.
Pest and Disease Control
Wasabi plants are generally disease-resistant however, you should consistently monitor the plant for any kind of indicators of pests like aphids or whiteflies. In case of necessity, use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat the infections on the plant body.
Temperature Control
Wasabis are sensitive to the temperature and humidity. You should always try to maintain the desirable cool temperature between 45°F to 70°F (7°C to 21°C).
Extreme temperatures are very harmful to the plants, in such conditions, consider using shade cloths, cooling fans, humidifiers, or indoor environments to create a suitable growing environment.
Giving your wasabi plants the right care as the growing season comes to an end will guarantee their health and get them ready for the next cycle. Here’s a broad guide on how to manage end-of-season care for wasabi plants:
Examining Plant Health
A proper watch out of the plant’s body is essential before the dormant season for any significant signs of diseases, pests, or other non-negligible issues. In addressing such problems, you need to take the appropriate actions of remedies for the complete eradication of the issues.
Removing Damaged Leaves
It is necessary to trim away any damaged, yellowing, or diseased leaves off the Wasabi’s body to help cope with the plants' health and halt the growth of the potential infection.
Preparing for Cold Winter
Extreme cold or freezing temperatures can damage the Wasabi plant. It is mandatory to take extra care and be responsible for protecting the plant from severities.
Applying a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant which helps insulate the roots and using coverings to trap the heat for the outdoor plants might assist in keeping the plants from catching the cold.
Adjusting Watering Practices
You need to reduce the frequency of watering as soon as the temperature drops down and the plant’s growth decelerates. However, the soil still needs to be moist to some extent. Take proper care not to overwater the soil which may ultimately rot the roots of the plants.
Fertilization
Fertilizer acts as a catalyst for the growth of the Wasabi plant so you need to halt fertilizing the plant once it approaches the cold, harsh winter, more preferably before a month. This will help the plant to enter dormancy without any sensible growth that could have been destroyed by the winter temperatures.
Soil Care
Soil needs to be tested for its nutrient and pH levels before going into the next season. It should be adjusted between pH levels, 6 to 7 and if needed, mix the soil with organic matter to uplift the fertility of the soil for the next growing season.
A satisfying method to increase the size of your garden and guarantee a steady supply of this exotic and tasty crop is to propagate Wasabi plants. Wasabi can be reproduced by several techniques. Here's a comprehensive guide to propagating wasabi plants:
Division Method
A straightforward and richly fruitful method of propagating Wasabi is the division method which involves the separation of offsets from the main plant. Initiate this process during the cooler months of early spring or late fall when the plant is inactive to growth.
After carefully digging around the base of the plant, seek for the smaller plants there. Gently pull off the offsets away from it and plant them in separate pots or directly into the ground having shade and thoroughly water them.
Seed propagation
Due to specific requirements needed for germination, growing wasabi from seed is less common and more difficult.
You need to get fresh Wasabi seeds and transfer them to stratification which involves placing the seeds in a moist medium in a plastic bag and leave it to refrigerate for about 30-60 days.
After this, seeds need to be sowed in seed trays filled with well-draining and moist soil to germinate in a cool and shaded area. Once the seedlings appear, it needs to be transplanted into the larger pots or the garden.
Tissue Culture
Commercial farmers use tissue culture, a more sophisticated form of propagation, to generate enormous quantities of Wasabi plants.
Employing this method, plant tissues or cells are grown in a controlled, sterile environment. For this, you need to collect an explant which is a small piece of plant tissue from a healthy Wasabi plant.
After sterilization, place the explant in a nutrient-rich medium and let it grow and multiply forming new plantlets. When they are ready to transplant, move them into the pots or the ground.
Wasabi plants can be grown effectively in pots despite their particular growing requirements. This is a how-to instruction for potting and repotting wasabi plants:
Potting Wasabi Plant
Start this process by selecting the appropriate container, such as a ceramic or plastic pot, that is wide enough to accommodate the root system of the plant and at least 12 to 18 inches deep. It should also have the required drainage holes to avoid waterlogging.
Next, you must make a potting mix that is high in organic nutrients. This can be achieved by mixing potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand that has a pH of 6 to 7.
It's time to plant the wasabi seedlings or rhizomes after adding the freshly made potting mix to the container, which needs to be set in a shaded region. Finally, make sure the newly potted plant receives enough water to keep the soil moist.
Repotting Wasabi Plant
When a wasabi plant outgrows its container or the soil loses too much of its nutrients, repotting is necessary.
To do this, get a new pot with drainage holes that is bigger than the plant's existing pot. After giving the plant enough water the day before, carefully transfer it from the old pot to the new one.
Examine the roots for any odd indications and remove those that aren't needed. Place the Wasabi plant in the new pot with the freshly prepared mix and give it regular watering.
The satisfying process of harvesting wasabi indicates the end of careful cultivation. The rhizome of the wasabi plant is its most valued ingredient; however, the leaves and stems can also be consumed and utilized in cooking.
How to Harvest Wasabi Plant
The cooler months are ideal for wasabi harvesting since heat stress can change the rhizome's flavor. Wasabi develops into a mature plant after 18 to 24 months of planting. Certain signs will be present, such as solid, thick rhizomes that are vivid green in color.
Gather the tools you'll need, such as a garden fork or spade to dig around the plant and shears or scissors to cut the stems and leaves. Watering the plant the day before harvesting will help to soften the soil and facilitate the extraction of rhizomes without causing damage.
Reasons for Harvesting Wasabi Plant
There are various reasons to harvest Wasabi plants, each of which reflects the unique attributes and applications of this plant. Here are some main reasons for Wasabi harvesting:
Culinary Uses
The rhizome of the Wasabi plant, which is highly praised for its distinctive and pungent flavor is one of the prime reasons for its cultivation and harvesting.
In addition to that, freshly grated Wasabi enhances the taste of several dishes like Sushi, Sashimi, and other popular Japanese cuisines which is believed to have sharp and fresh heat different from that of the easily available paste found in the stores.
Medicinal and Health Benefits
Wasabi is believed to have several health advantages.
It contains substances such as isothiocyanates, whose anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and perhaps anticancer effects have been researched. Antioxidants found in wasabi, help shield the body from the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Propagation and Cultivation
Wasabi harvesting offers a chance to grow fresh plants. Replanting offsets and harvesting wasabi also contribute to the management of garden areas and soil health. It enables gardeners to enhance the soil's conditions for the upcoming crop by adding new nutrients.
Economic and Commercial Purposes
Harvesting the rhizomes is crucial for business in areas where wasabi is farmed commercially. Fresh wasabi rhizomes are a high-value crop that can be supplied to customers directly as well as to shops and restaurants.
It is also possible to sell the stems and leaves as premium greens. Producers can make a range of value-added goods, including wasabi paste, powder, and pickles, from harvesting wasabi.
Culture and Tradition
Wasabi is an essential component of traditional Japanese cuisine and has a rich history in the country.
Gathering fresh wasabi is not just a culinary art but also a cultural custom that unites individuals to their history. Harvesting is often associated with celebrations and neighborhood get-togethers in areas where wasabi is a major crop.
There are several categories of Wasabi plants around the world despite primarily being native to Japan. Here is a broad overview of some of the main types:
Daruma Wasabi
When compared to other varieties, Daruma Wasabi usually has larger leaves and a little more vigorous growing habit. It is regarded as one of the common varieties used for fresh Wasabi rhizomes and is commonly grown in Japan.
While the leaves and stems can be used in salads, garnishes, and pickles, the rhizome is mainly used to make fresh Wasabi paste.
Mazuma Wasabi
The leaves of Mazuma Wasabi plants resemble those of Daruma in shape and are slightly narrower. It is grown in Japan as well, frequently in conditions similar to those of Daruma. It can be cultivated with water-based systems or in soil beds.
Mazuma rhizomes are used to make fresh Wasabi paste, just like Daruma.
Wild Wasabi
Japan's mountainous areas are home to the Wild Wasabi plant, also known as Yamano Wasabi. Although it grows wild and is less frequently farmed, it can occasionally be found growing in hilly, forested places that have plenty of moisture and shade.
Their flavor is more powerful and their rhizomes, leaves, and stems can be utilized in the same ways as other cultivated forms.
