Herb Mint Kentucky Colonel (also known as Spearmint Kentucky Colonel) is a cultivar of Mentha Spicata, native to Europe and Asia. This particular variety is commonly used for making Mint Juleps, and for other culinary applications, as well as tea and mint jelly. It is similar in many respects to Herb Mint Spearmint, however it has superior foliage and is slower-spreading. It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows 12-24 inches tall and will spread at least 12-24 inches. It blooms in July and August with small pink to white flowers and will flourish with little more than regular water. It is typically grown in containers, herb gardens, or borders. In the herb garden, grow it alongside Mojito, Peppermint, and Herb Mint Orange for a variety of flavor; or use it in the vegetable garden as a companion to cabbage and tomatoes to deter pests.
Sell Mint Kentucky Colonel to your customers who are looking for a slower spreading mint variety, or to grow this herb for use in Mint Juleps. No other mint variety is as classic as Kentucky Colonel for the famous Kentucky Derby drink. This plant offers many benefits for your customers. Its superior foliage is slower-spreading than Herb Mint Chocolate or Herb Mint Pineapple, and even than Spearmint. It is hardy, low-maintenance, and has many culinary applications. It flowers for part of the summer, allowing ample time for harvesting leaves at the height of fragrance and flavor.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant 12-18 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Use one plant per 2 gallon or larger container. While mint does spread indefinitely via rhizomes, this variety is slower-spreading. To mitigate its spread, plant it in a pot and then put the pot in the ground, or dig up any new shoots each season.
2. Water regularly. Give a light fertilizer once in spring.
3. Mint foliage offers the best fragrance and flavor prior to the plant blooming. Dry or freeze leaves to preserve them for later use.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Mint Kentucky Colonel, use a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N on well rooted plants. A pH between 5.8 and 6.2 is important for the healthiest plant color. In most cases, an additional supplement of iron is recommended in order to deepen the coloration of the foliage.
Pinching
We recommend that you pinch Mint Kentucky Colonel 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Growing herbs at cooler temperatures will help to keep the plants short and bushy.
Spacing
Space 4-inch, 6-inch, and gallon pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants. Mint Kentucky Colonel can grow to a 24" spread. We do not recommend planting them in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and have the potential for fungus problems when planted too close together.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended on herbs.
Pests
Whiteflies, aphids, and occasionally mealybugs are all insects to watch out for with Mint Kentucky Colonel.
Disease
Mint Kentucky Colonel is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot, botrytis or a bacterial blight. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, look for an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Mint Kentucky Colonel Liners
If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. We recommend at least 3 starters per pot for 6" and larger. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation of rooted cuttings. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Herb Mint Kentucky Colonel Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding, Trailing
Height
6 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
50
Perennial Zone
5-9
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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400
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400
Herb Mint Kentucky Colonel (also known as Spearmint Kentucky Colonel) is a cultivar of Mentha Spicata, native to Europe and Asia. This particular variety is commonly used for making Mint Juleps, and for other culinary applications, as well as tea and mint jelly. It is similar in many respects to Herb Mint Spearmint, however it has superior foliage and is slower-spreading. It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows 12-24 inches tall and will spread at least 12-24 inches. It blooms in July and August with small pink to white flowers and will flourish with little more than regular water. It is typically grown in containers, herb gardens, or borders. In the herb garden, grow it alongside Mojito, Peppermint, and Herb Mint Orange for a variety of flavor; or use it in the vegetable garden as a companion to cabbage and tomatoes to deter pests.
Sell Mint Kentucky Colonel to your customers who are looking for a slower spreading mint variety, or to grow this herb for use in Mint Juleps. No other mint variety is as classic as Kentucky Colonel for the famous Kentucky Derby drink. This plant offers many benefits for your customers. Its superior foliage is slower-spreading than Herb Mint Chocolate or Herb Mint Pineapple, and even than Spearmint. It is hardy, low-maintenance, and has many culinary applications. It flowers for part of the summer, allowing ample time for harvesting leaves at the height of fragrance and flavor.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant 12-18 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Use one plant per 2 gallon or larger container. While mint does spread indefinitely via rhizomes, this variety is slower-spreading. To mitigate its spread, plant it in a pot and then put the pot in the ground, or dig up any new shoots each season.
2. Water regularly. Give a light fertilizer once in spring.
3. Mint foliage offers the best fragrance and flavor prior to the plant blooming. Dry or freeze leaves to preserve them for later use.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Mint Kentucky Colonel, use a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N on well rooted plants. A pH between 5.8 and 6.2 is important for the healthiest plant color. In most cases, an additional supplement of iron is recommended in order to deepen the coloration of the foliage.
Pinching
We recommend that you pinch Mint Kentucky Colonel 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Growing herbs at cooler temperatures will help to keep the plants short and bushy.
Spacing
Space 4-inch, 6-inch, and gallon pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants. Mint Kentucky Colonel can grow to a 24" spread. We do not recommend planting them in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and have the potential for fungus problems when planted too close together.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended on herbs.
Pests
Whiteflies, aphids, and occasionally mealybugs are all insects to watch out for with Mint Kentucky Colonel.
Disease
Mint Kentucky Colonel is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot, botrytis or a bacterial blight. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, look for an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Mint Kentucky Colonel Liners
If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. We recommend at least 3 starters per pot for 6" and larger. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation of rooted cuttings. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Herb Mint Kentucky Colonel Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding, Trailing
Height
6 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
50
Perennial Zone
5-9
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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