Nasturtium Empress of India

Soil Preparation 

 Soil Type:

• Well draining, sandy or loamy soil.
• Avoid heavy clay. 

 Fertility:

• Low to moderate. Too much nitrogen reduces flowering.
• Mix in compost but skip high nitrogen fertilisers. 

 pH:

• 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). 

 Preparation:

• Loosen soil to 20 cm depth. Add grit or sand if drainage is poor. 

Sowing Seeds 

Seed Treatment:

• Soak seeds overnight to speed germination. 

Depth & Spacing:

• Plant 3 mm deep, 30 cm apart.

Location:

• Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best blooms; tolerates light shade. 

Germination:

• 7–14 days.
• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. 

Tip:

• Direct sowing is best but start seeds indoors in cooler regions.
• Transplant carefully to avoid root disturbance.

Care & Maintenance 

 Watering:

• Water deeply once a week.
• Reduce frequency once established (nasturtiums are drought tolerant).
• Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew. 

 Fertilising:

• Avoid fertilising unless soil is very poor.
• Use a balanced, half strength fertiliser sparingly. 

 Mulching:

• Apply light mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

 Pruning:

• Trim leggy stems to encourage bushiness. Deadhead to prolong flowering. 

Pests & Diseases 

 Aphids/Caterpillars:

• Spray with soapy water or neem oil.
• Use nasturtiums as a trap crop to lure pests away from veggies. 

 Powdery Mildew:

• Improve airflow, avoid wet foliage, and apply milk spray (1:10 milk to water ratio). 

 Slugs/Snails:

• Handpick or use beer traps. 

Harvesting 

 Leaves & Flowers:

• Pick young leaves and open flowers in the morning for peak flavour. 

 Seeds:

• Collect when plump and green for pickling (like capers).
• Let mature to brown for saving.
• Store in a cool, dry place. 

Companion Planting Guide 

Nasturtiums excel as trap crops and pest deterrents. 

Best Companions 

• Tomatoes/Cucumbers – Repel whiteflies, aphids, and cucumber beetles. 
• Radishes/Squash – Deter squash bugs and beetles. 
• Fruit Trees – Plant underneath to attract aphids away from fruit. 
• Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale) – Lure cabbage moths. 

Avoid Planting With:

• Potatoes – Can competition for resources. 
• Delicate Herbs (e.g., Basil) – Nasturtiums’ vigorous growth may overshadow them. 

Trap Cropping:

• Plant nasturtiums near prized veggies to divert pests.
• Monitor and treat infestations on nasturtiums to protect nearby crops.