There are four well-known species of the Soapwort plant, an herb that belongs to the pink family (Caryophyllaceae). Of the fifty species of soapworts that grow in our country, only five have economical value. The most imporant of these is Gypsophila arrostil Guss, var.Nebulosa (Boiss. Et Heldr.), sometimes called the female soapwort, which grows in the regions of Isparta. After interviewing local soapwort farmers, we were able to obtain a great amount of information about this plant.
- Climate Requirements: It thrives well with the local conditions in the region.
- Soil Requirements: Usually grows along cliffsides or in mountainous regions. Likes sandy soil with good drainage. Heavy soil causes dryness in the roots because of moisture. It’s been proven that better quality soapworts are harvested from mountains and regions with sandy soil.
- Seed Production: Young plants should be planted during the Springtime, and in the Summer, unwanted plants should be removed and root growth should be encouraged. After flowering, the seeds (which turn black) should be hand picked and can be identified by their rough surface and kidney-shaped appearance. They must then be left to dry in a shadowy place devoid of moisture.
- Field Preparation: Because of the tiny size of the seeds, the soil bed must be very well-prepared. The field must be plowed thoroughly in the Autumn and when the soil is ready in the Spring, it must be plowed again so that the soil bed can be prepared.
- Planting: The seeds should be planted using a beet planting machine. The distance between the rows should be 45 centimeters and the distance from each plant in the same row must be 5-7 centimeters. 3000 grams of seeds should be planted per hectare. The seeds must be mixed with wood shavings in a 300/5000 grams ratio. The seeds should be planted as close to surface as machine setting allows. The planting should be done around the 11th to the 15th of March. No fertilizer should be used while planting.
- Care: Soapwort plants will start growing in a month. When the plant has grown two leaves, hoeing is generally safe, but contingent upon unwanted plant infestation. In the first year, around May or June, when leaf bugs can be observed, insect control solutions should be applied. Watering the plants once in July is strongly recommended. When the plants have withered in October, the seeds should be collected and the plant parts above the surface of the soil should be cut away. In the second year, it’s advised to get rid of unwanted plants as much as possible, but soapworts can still be grown without taking extreme measures.
- Harvest: Soapworts should be harvested no earlier than four years after getting them established. While deciding on the optimum harvest time, market conditions should be kept in mind. Plants are geberally kept in the field until they are sold. Harvest is done in May while the soil is still soft and plyable — the plant is ultimately unrooted by machine or hand. It’s then dried shadowy area and the drying period takes at least two to three months. The dried roots are then wrapped and ready for market. 2.5 kilos of undried plants are equivalent to 1 kilos of dried roots.
- Marketing: Two companies in Turkey are interested in the trade of soapwort plants. They are Hoşgör Ticaret ( İstanbul ) and İstanbul Tarım ( Mahmutpaşa – İstanbul ).
- Usage: Soap making, gold whitening, skin care, cleaning chemicals and various desserts.
Although all of the information above is directly related to Turkish agriculture, we hope that you find it intriguing and even somewhat useful. Soapworts are a global commodity.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
You mentioned that Hoşgör Ticaret and İstanbul Tarım sell soapwort plants — Is there a large industry for soapwort in Turkey? I had never heard of this plant until I read your article. I guess they must be edible since they’re used in desserts, but I am curious what other food products they are used in.
@elizah, i will write about what products are focused by our farmers. Tnank you for your kind attention. You are so decent girl, and not too lazy to write comments also mails. : )
i like you.
ı live in turkey and ım food engineer. we produce turkish delight an halva. we use soapwort in them.as you say istanbul tarim hoşgör and kalealtı çöğen produce this product.