Reseda luteola - Weld - Seeds

Description

• Resedaceae Brassicales
• Western Asia, Western Europe, Mediterranean Europe, Middle East
• H 1.8 x W 0.3 m
•  Z5 
• Biennial
• Synonyms: Dyer's Weed, Yellow Weed
• 1 packet of 50 seeds

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Detail

Reseda luteola starts its cycle by establishing a taproot and a rosette of wavy, yellowish-green leaves

In the following spring, a tall, branched stem grows, whith smaller, yellowish-green leaves

In May-June, hundreds of small, insignificant greenish flowers, bloom on this spike

They are very attractive to bees

The fruit of Reseda luteola is a small dehiscent capsule, which releases a large number of small beige, brown or black seeds

In Western Europe, the aerial part of Weld is used for dyeing textiles yellow since the Iron Age (-1200)

The bright acidic yellow that it gives is one of the purest and most washfast and lightfast given by flavonoid plants

The main dyeing chemical of Weld is Luteolin (hence the Latin name "luteola"), which is a flavone (flavonoid)

Reseda luteola is slightly narcotic

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Cultivation

Sow the Seeds of Reseda luteola in August, in a box or in pots, spreading the seeds on the surface of potting soil, then packing lightly without burying the seeds
(this method is preferable to sowing directly in the garden, the seeds being sometimes eaten and disappear)

Transplant in place in September or October, in a sunny position, in well-worked, draining, slightly to moderately fertile soil

Water the young plants if the soil is dry

Weed the seedlings in autumn, then in February-March, so that the plant is not overwhelmed by weeds in spring

No other maintenance, no pests or particular diseases

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Harvest & Use

Harvest the stems in the 2nd year, at the start of flowering and before the lower leaves dry out

Cut into pieces and use fresh, or dry for later use

Learn to Use Weld for Dyeing with our Courses:

Internship Natural Dye on Wool and Colorimetry

Internship Master Class: Compound Colors and Colorimetry