Perilla Shiso Green

Climate and Soil Requirements

 Climate:

• Perilla thrives in warm, temperate to subtropical climates. It grows well in most parts of Australia, except for extremely arid or cold regions.

 Sunlight:

• Prefers full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours of sunlight daily).

 Soil:

• Well draining, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5.
• Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter before planting.

 Water:

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Perilla is drought tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering.

Cold Stratification for Seeds

Why stratify:

• Perilla seeds have a hard outer coat that can delay germination.
• Cold stratification mimics winter conditions, softening the seed coat and triggering germination.

Steps:

• Place seeds in a damp paper towel or moist sand inside a sealed plastic bag.
• Refrigerate at 1–5°C for 1–2 weeks.
• After stratification, sow seeds directly into the garden or seed trays.

 Propagation:

 Timing:

• Sow seeds following the guide in the product description

 Depth:

• Sow seeds 3 mm deep.

 Spacing:

• Space plants 50 cm apart to allow for growth.

 Germination:

• Seeds typically germinate in 7–14 days at 18–30°C.

 Planting and Care

 Transplanting:

• If starting indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors once they have 2–3 true leaves and the risk of frost has passed.

 Mulching:

• Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

 Fertilising:

• Use a balanced, fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

 Pruning:

• Pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering if you want to prolong leaf production.

Pest and Disease Management

 Pests:

• Watch for aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars.
• Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations occur.

 Diseases:

• Perilla is generally disease resistant but can be affected by fungal diseases like powdery mildew in humid conditions.
• Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting

 Leaves:

• Harvest leaves as needed once the plant is 15–20 cm tall. Younger leaves are more tender and flavourful.

 Seeds:

• Allow some plants to flower and set seeds if you want to save seeds for the next season.

 Storage:

• Fresh leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• They can also be dried or frozen for long term storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

 Basil:

• Shares similar growing conditions and deters pests like aphids.

 Tomatoes:

• Perilla can repel certain pests that affect tomatoes.

 Eggplant:

• Benefits from perilla’s pest repellent properties.

 Beans:

• Fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting perilla.

 Cucumbers:

• Perilla can help deter cucumber beetles.

Plants to Avoid

 Mint:

• Can compete aggressively for space and nutrients.

 Fennel:

• May inhibit the growth of perilla and other plants.

 Tips for Success

• Rotate perilla with other crops to prevent soilborne diseases.
• Avoid overwatering, as perilla is susceptible to root rot.
• In cooler regions, grow perilla in pots and move indoors during winter.