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Caper bush (Capparis spinosa) seeds

The Mediterranean plant is known because of its blossom buds, the capers.
Contents: Approx. 20 seeds
Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly

2,65 €

incl. VAT , plus

SKU: CAP24

GTIN: 4251420505583

Available
Delivery time: 2 - 7 Workdays Other countries

Packet

Description
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The caper shrub is a perennial, thorny half shrub that grows around the Mediterranean Sea. From June to August, it produces beautiful, delicate flowers and also presents us with the delicious little capers.

Capers are the closed small flower buds of the plant, soaked in either vinegar or salt. This causes the bitter substances to evaporate and the buds develop their typical sour taste. The fruits of the caper bush are also edible. The so-called caper apples or caper berries are also preserved in salt or vinegar and used similarly.

In addition, this plant is a very old cultivated plant, which was probably used as food and medicinal plant about 7000 years ago. This is documented by archaeological finds in Turkey, Jordan and Syria. As a medicinal plant, all components of the plant were used, especially for digestive problems.

Plant description

Species:	Capparaceae
Root system:	Deep roots Taproot
Plant type:	Shrub Ground cover Container plant Succulent
Flower colour:	White
Region of origin:	Southern Europe Mediterranean Region
Special features:	Needs cold to germinate
Use:	Medicinal plant Herb/spice plant Vegetable Ornamental plant
Climate:	Temperate Dry
Lifecycle:	Perennial
Eventual height:	20-60 cm
Flowering months:	June July August
Winter hardiness zones:	10 (-1 bis 4 °C)

Growing advice

Soil type:	Chalky Sandy Poor No waterlogging Free-draining Dry
Sowing depth:	1 cm
Planting distance:	40 cm
When to sow outdoors:
Sunlight:	Full sun
Water requirement:	Low
Germination temperature:	18-24° C
Germination time:	1-3 months irregular

A perennial semi-shrub that is not hardy and only tolerates temperatures of a minimum of -5°C for a short time. Frost-free, cool and bright hibernation in the house is recommended during the winter. The shrub grows naturally in rocky, calcareous, dry and lean locations in full sunshine. In the garden, the plant needs a lean, dry location with very good drainage. It does not grow very high, as the branches hang down and grow almost crawling on the ground, so that the caper shrub can be used well as a ground cover and rock garden plant. It grows excellently on dry stone walls.

Indoor sowing can take place all year round. The seeds should be stratified, i.e. they need cold to germinate. To do this, keep the seeds warm with a little moist sand (e.g. in a freezer bag) for about two weeks, then store in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks (never in the freezer!). Then sow the seeds normally at +20-26°C. Sowing depth: 1 cm. Germinates irregularly in approx. 6-8 weeks. Pre-soaking the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours promotes germination.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to grow the caper shrub from seed. The overall germination rate of the seeds is usually rather poor. Once germination has been achieved, further problems can unfortunately occur when transplanting the young plants, because the plant has a very sensitive root system and responds badly to the change of location. Repot it only if absolutely necessary, and when doing this carefully dig out the root ball with a lot of surrounding soil. As this is a deep-rooting plant, you should select high pots as a precaution and leave enough space for the roots.

Other names

Botanical name:	Capparis spinosa
German names:	Echter Kapernstrauch, Dorniger Kapernstrauch
French names:	Câprier Commun, Câprier Épineux
English names:	Caper Bush, Flinders Rose
Spanish names:	Alcaparra, Alcaparro, Caparra, Tapana
Italian names:	Cappero