Great Valley Gumweed is also called Great Valley Gumplant. It is native to North and South America and Canada. Great Valley Gumweed is a member of the daisy family (Astericeae). Just like Yarrow, Fall Wort, Aster, Marigold, Sunflower, Tansy, Bull Thistle, Daisies, Dandelion, Cosmea, Afrikaantje and Milk Thistle. It is an herbaceous plant with yellow flowers and fleshy leaves. The flowers of Great Valley Gumweed are very similar to the flowers of Asters. The leaves of this plant contain a resin also called gum. So that's where this plant gets its name from.
The petals of the flower are used in natural medicine to make a tea, for example, to treat respiratory disorders, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, inflammations, allergies and skin inflammations. Tea can be made from either the fresh flowers or the dried ones. Dry the flowers in a dry, well-ventilated place. After this, the flowers can be stored in a well-sealed plastic or glass container. This way, the dried petals can be kept for 6 - 12 months. The resin of this plant contains substances that can repel aphids. These plants flower from May to October. Great Valley Gumweed is very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Great Valley Gumweed does not remain evergreen. Hardy biennial. Height: 150 - 200 cm.
Indoor sowing: April - May
Outdoor sowing: May - June & September
Germintation: 28 - 35 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 23 °C
Sowing depth.: shallow - ½ cm
Plant distance: 40 - 45 cm
Plant position: sunny - sheltered
Flower period: May - October (in the second year after sowing)
Harvest period: June - October(in the second year after sowing)
Sow indoors from April in small pots or seed trays filled with well-moistened potting soil. Sow thinly, sparingly and shallowly. Press the seeds gently and cover them with a very thin layer of sifted potting soil. Great Valley Gumweed is in fact a light germinator. Keep the germination temperature as even as possible and do not let the temperature drop especially at night. Keep the seeds moist and cover them with a lid or cling film to keep the moisture in.
Remove the lid or cling film as soon as the seeds germinate. Put the seedlings in larger pots as soon as they are big enough to handle. From early May, as soon as there is no chance of night frost, put the seedlings outside in the sun during the day to harden off. Do this for about 10 - 14 days. After the hardening off period, mid-May, the seedlings can be put outside in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Keep the soil well moist and weed-free. Keep 40 - 45 cm space between plants.
Sow outdoors from mid-May, as soon as there is no chance of night frost. Sow in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Sow thinly, sparingly and shallowly. Gently press or rake the seeds into the soil. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of sifted sowing soil. Depending on the weather, outdoor temperature and other factors, it takes 28 - 35 days for the seeds to germinate. Keep the seeds well moist especially during germination. Keep a planting distance of 40 - 45 cm.
From June, the flowers can be harvested. Harvest the flowers on a dry day. Place the flowers on a drying rack to dry in a dry, ventilated and frost-free room. Not in the sun. Dry the flowers for about 14 - 21 days until they are thoroughly dry. After this, the petals can be crumbled. Store the dried petals in a plastic box with a lid or in a glass jar with a lid. In this way, the petals can be stored for 6 - 12 months.
