Chamomile farming can be profitable if marketed well. The plant is grown for its flowers which have medicinal properties. Chamomile can be consumed as a tea or applied to skin. Skin irritation after cancer treatments can be treated with chamomile. The demand for chamomile is increasing globally. However, profit depends on production costs and sale price. Efficiency also relies on land area and harvesting technique. Ultimately, individual farmers must decide if chamomile is profitable for them.
Yield and Cultivation
How much chamomile do you get per acre? It needs 25 acres or more to achieve good income. A moderate climate with medium temperatures aids cultivation, as chamomile is sensitive and hindered by extreme temperatures. It self-sows, lasting one year with extractable essential oil. Chamomile resists disease and needs few pesticides.
Maximizing Yield
The yield varies with farming practices, climate, soil, and management. Well-managed plots can produce 300-400 kg per acre. Some farmers get 500 kg. To maximize yield, prepare land appropriately. Select quality seeds. Irrigate efficiently. Harvest on time. Control pests and disease.
Growing Chamomile Commercially
Growing commercially chamomile involves a series of activities. The plant is annual. The seeds can be either sown directly in the field or sown in a seedbed and transplanted 3-4 weeks later. Irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and weed control are very important and affect greatly the final output.
Propagation and Care
Propagation Techniques
The seeds need light to germinate, so start them carefully outside in August, broadcasting then lightly mixing into the soil. Alternatively, begin indoors in March and transplant later after hardening off. Direct garden planting after the last frost also works. Once established, chamomile is extremely hardy.
Care and Maintenance
Make sure to choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and plant the seeds at the proper depth according to the packet instructions. Chamomile plants usually take about 6-8 weeks to grow from seeds, so be patient and continue to provide the necessary care and attention to your plants.
Varieties and Cultivation
Both perennial common chamomile and annual German chamomile are sold as ‘chamomile’. Young common chamomile plants are also available in spring and summer from many gardening retailers. German chamomile is native to Asia and Europe, while Roman chamomile is native to North Africa and Western Europe.
Popular Chamomile Varietals
How to care for the popular varietals of chamomile (Matricaria recutita and Chamaemelum nobile). They are beloved for their beauty and medicinal benefits. The two types of chamomile grow quickly and are best planted in the spring via seed.