Asparagus racemosus Shatavari 50 seeds

Shatavari, often referred to as the women's tonic or queen of the herbs, is a wispy, ground dwelling perennial herb vine in the asparagus family that is cultivated for it's medicinal root. In Ayurvedic medicine, Shatavari is an historically cultivated for it's purported healing properties and numerous possible benefits. The root is edible raw and has a sweet yet bitter flavor. Shatavari supplements may be found at health food stores in tonic or powdered form.

The Shativari plant is native to Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas, where it has historically grown abundantly in the wild. However, due to it's high demand, Shatavari roots have unfortunately been over-harvested.

Plant prefers a south or west exposure and deep, rich soils. The best soil pH for growing Shatavari is barely acidic (pH 6-6.7). Sow seeds in rich potting soil in the greenhouse or under lights. Germination in 35 days.

Cultivation details
Easily grown in any good garden soil. Prefers a rich sandy loam. This species is not very frost-hardy and generally needs to be grown in a frost-free or fairly frost-free climate. It can be grown as a half-hardy perennial in areas where the winter is too cold for it to survive outdoors. The tubers are harvested in the autumn, stored in a cool frost-free place and replanted in the spring. The rots of this species are commonly collected from the wild for medicinal use. Overcollection in some areas of its range are causing conservation concerns. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

<Nursery technique>
Raising propagules Seeds are sown during the first week of June in well-prepared and raised nursery beds containing good amount of FYM (farmyard manure). The beds should ideally be 10 m × 1 m in size. Seeds are sown in lines 5 cm apart and covered with a thin layer of fine sand. The beds are lightly watered at regular intervals using a rose water cane.
Propagule rate and pretreatment About 7 kg of seeds are required for raising seedlings for 1 hectare of crop. The seeds of satavar have a hard seed coat. To obtain early and higher germination percentage, presoaking in water is required for softening the seed coat. Higher germination is also achieved by soaking the seeds in cow urine for 24 hours. The germination commences after 20 days of sowing and is completed in 30 days.

Both seeds and crown rhizomes can be used for propagation. However, seeds are preferable on account of high production that makes up for low germination percentage in cultivation. Seeds may be collected from March to May when their colour changes from red to black.