Perilla

[mat]

I'm writing about Perilla frutescens (shiso plant; beefsteak plant) at the moment - a plant that I succeed in growing from seed about once every 8 or 9 years! Famously, it's easy to grow but hard to germinate. I used to happily buy plug plants each year as back-up, but sadly no-one seems to be selling them this year.

In the piece I'm writing I'll have to confess my failure rate as a shiso germinator, but rather than leave readers depressed, I thought I'd ask around: does anyone have any tips for getting perilla to germinate?

[SarrissUK]

I didn't even know it existed until now. Do you grow it for the seeds or the leaves?

[Mitzi]

I've only bought it as a plant, not tried it from seed, sorry.

[self-contained]

I've tried it for the first time this year. It took a while, but it seemed to germinate just fine (I think at room temperature, but they may have spent some time in my cheap heated propagator), even though lots of other seeds from the same supplier haven't done anything. I did soak the seeds in water overnight before sowing them.

Maybe just beginner's luck?

[chillithyme]

I like using the heated propogator to germinate perilla shiso,I don't cover the seeds too deeply and sow them in the same way as basil. The seeds aren't covered too much, compost watered first, seeds added, sprinkle compost very finely on top, gently press down and it should be good to go. I find they don't show up as well when covered thickly,but maybe that's just me
Sounds easy, but you have to wait a while before they show

[lottie dolly]

I to never heard of them,there is info on Alys Fowlers web site,comes in various ones,and is a herb.

[chillithyme]

yes it's a herb, I think it's sometimes referred to as Japanese basil, though I may be wrong

[self-contained]

How not to grow perilla

So, what do you think happens when the newbie gardener feels a little smug that she managed to get her perilla to germinate?



Bad words were said...

[chillithyme]

oh oh, the poor pots had it

[pinksky]

Mine are started off indoors and kept in a heated propagator. Doesn't really take that long to germinate, I think (can't remember as haven't sown any this year). The Japanese love it as a garnish or eaten with sushi rice and other ingredients. My seed is from Mole Seeds, btw.

Surprisingly, I've seen it (purple) as a bedding plant in Bakewell town in a public garden.

[Tarragon2017]

I was very successful with Perilla last year , as my wife is Korean I needed to grow it , as it is something you cant buy here.

I think the fact we had a really lovely summer last year helped, I also had a 50l pot

[Mitzi]

You can find it most summers in council bedding schemes (parks, roundabouts and the like). Not that I'm recommending nicking it, but just that it's a lot more common than some people might think.

[PepperMonster]

I've grown it in the past. I store it in the fridge before sowing. Also I didn't cover the seed much and used a heat mat.