Mojito Mint

**tomatoaddict** · October 26, 2009

Is the seed for Mint very, very tiny? I want to save seed from my Mojito mint and it looks almost microscopic.

Wi-sunflower · October 27, 2009

I haven't tried to save mint seed, but I have saved from my local feral catnip and yes the seed IS small, tho not what I'd call micro. But since the flower head of regular mint is smaller than catnip, the seed could also be smaller.

I usually pick off the flower head and then shake it in a baggie to get just the seeds. If you wait too long tho most of the seed will have dropped out on it's own and be gone.

Carol

habitat_gardener · October 28, 2009

Is Mojito mint a species, or a cultivar/selection? If the latter, then seed will not get you the same plant. Most mints are propagated from cuttings because it's so easy, and because that way you get the variety you want.

Oh, and I cut back my mints before they go to seed, because if you have several varieties and they cross, you may eventually lose the cultivar/selection. (And also because I don't need even more mints coming up from seed!)

cdbva · October 31, 2009

Mojitos are made with ordinary spearmint, aren't they?

Around here -- Virginia -- you couldn't get mint to keep from coming back if you tried, except maybe with a good dose of Roundup. So you may not need to save seeds. Probably someone at the local nursery could tell you if mint winters over (and over and over) in your zone.

Christine

cottonpicker · November 1, 2009

I believe "cuttings" potted up & kept growing indoors till springtime will work better for you than starting from seeds.
LarryD

mjc · November 1, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdbva

Mojitos are made with ordinary spearmint, aren't they?

Around here -- Virginia -- you couldn't get mint to keep from coming back if you tried, except maybe with a good dose of Roundup. So you may not need to save seeds. Probably someone at the local nursery could tell you if mint winters over (and over and over) in your zone.

Christine

Over the hills, in WV, here, it takes about 10 lbs of salt, 25 gallons of kerosene, a couple of old tires and a bulldozer...

I think that after a nuclear war, the cockroaches would be keeping the harsh sun off their heads by lounging under mint plants.

Tormato · November 2, 2009

Terry,

If Mojito mint is anything like the couple of mints I have, the seeds are very, very tiny. I've heard that real Mojito mint is as hard to get as real Cuban cigars.

Gary

DuckCreekFarms · November 2, 2009

I had never even heard of a Mojito until my customers at the farmer's market started buying my mint plants for making their own. You can use any mint, but the true mojito is made from a cuban variety. It was brought to Canada by a mojito enthusiats and eventually made it's way to the U S. I shipped in a couple of plants from Canada and I have grown it now for a couple of years and find that it is not quite as invasive at other mints. As far as i know, Mojito Mint is as hardy as the rest of them but I do keep a few stock plants in the greenhouse over winter for taking cuttings in the Spring

cdbva · November 2, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjc

Over the hills, in WV, here, it takes about 10 lbs of salt, 25 gallons of kerosene, a couple of old tires and a bulldozer...

I think that after a nuclear war, the cockroaches would be keeping the harsh sun off their heads by lounging under mint plants.

^

I did a little internet research and found this:

Before we start, lets get this out of the way first - the answer to this question isn't the internet favourite of "spearmint". Spearmint comes (originally) from Europe and the smell makes me want to hurl.

As I share that sentiment for the most part (carrots are good w/spearmint, but little else), now I'm intrigued. How does it taste? I might try a mojito if I could be assured of the real thing.

**tomatoaddict** · November 2, 2009

DuckCreek is correct. The Mojito drink is originally Cuban and named after a mint there. Since it is almost un-heard of here in the U.S., bartender's substitute spearmint. I got my true Mojito from Canada.

Tormato · November 3, 2009

Terry,

Do you have a patch of sugar cane that you've been keeping secret?

Gary

puttgirl · November 11, 2009

Yes, you're better off not dealing with mint seeds. They produce inferior plants. Just keep taking cuttings.
Lemon balm and catnip, catmint and other mint relatives are good from seed, but real mints should be propagated from cuttings.

riceke · July 3, 2012

Territorial Seed sells the Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa). Also if you google Mojito Mint you will get many places selling it both as a plant and seed.

Vickipr · April 21, 2013

I have been growing Mojito mint for 8 yrs now. I understand that you will not get true Mojito mint from seed that you must use cuttings or runners. And yes it does come from Cuba. There are a few nurseries and people you can purchase it from. I my self gave away a lot already this year.
It really makes a great drink. I also grow banana, chocolate, lime, lemon, cotton candy, fruitasia,
pineapple, orange, berry's and cream. I love them all for drinks and baking. They are all great and refreshing in tea too.

Vicki

October 26, 2009	#1
tomatoaddict Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: zone 5 Posts: 1,459	Mojito Mint Is the seed for Mint very, very tiny? I want to save seed from my Mojito mint and it looks almost microscopic. __________________ Secretseedcartel.com

November 1, 2009	#5
cottonpicker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SE PA..near Valley Forge Posts: 839	I believe "cuttings" potted up & kept growing indoors till springtime will work better for you than starting from seeds. LarryD __________________ "Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause". Victor Hugo

November 2, 2009	#10
tomatoaddict Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: zone 5 Posts: 1,459	DuckCreek is correct. The Mojito drink is originally Cuban and named after a mint there. Since it is almost un-heard of here in the U.S., bartender's substitute spearmint. I got my true Mojito from Canada. __________________ Secretseedcartel.com

July 3, 2012	#13
riceke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 346	Territorial Seed sells the Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa). Also if you google Mojito Mint you will get many places selling it both as a plant and seed. __________________ *Ken*

October 27, 2009	#2
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I haven't tried to save mint seed, but I have saved from my local feral catnip and yes the seed IS small, tho not what I'd call micro. But since the flower head of regular mint is smaller than catnip, the seed could also be smaller. I usually pick off the flower head and then shake it in a baggie to get just the seeds. If you wait too long tho most of the seed will have dropped out on it's own and be gone. Carol

October 28, 2009	#3
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	Is Mojito mint a species, or a cultivar/selection? If the latter, then seed will not get you the same plant. Most mints are propagated from cuttings because it's so easy, and because that way you get the variety you want. Oh, and I cut back my mints before they go to seed, because if you have several varieties and they cross, you may eventually lose the cultivar/selection. (And also because I don't need even more mints coming up from seed!)

October 31, 2009	#4
cdbva Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 538	Mojitos are made with ordinary spearmint, aren't they? Around here -- Virginia -- you couldn't get mint to keep from coming back if you tried, except maybe with a good dose of Roundup. So you may not need to save seeds. Probably someone at the local nursery could tell you if mint winters over (and over and over) in your zone. Christine

November 2, 2009	#7
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Terry, If Mojito mint is anything like the couple of mints I have, the seeds are very, very tiny. I've heard that real Mojito mint is as hard to get as real Cuban cigars. Gary

November 2, 2009	#8
DuckCreekFarms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mounds, Oklahoma Posts: 257	I had never even heard of a Mojito until my customers at the farmer's market started buying my mint plants for making their own. You can use any mint, but the true mojito is made from a cuban variety. It was brought to Canada by a mojito enthusiats and eventually made it's way to the U S. I shipped in a couple of plants from Canada and I have grown it now for a couple of years and find that it is not quite as invasive at other mints. As far as i know, Mojito Mint is as hardy as the rest of them but I do keep a few stock plants in the greenhouse over winter for taking cuttings in the Spring

November 3, 2009	#11
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Terry, Do you have a patch of sugar cane that you've been keeping secret? Gary

November 11, 2009	#12
puttgirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 281	Yes, you're better off not dealing with mint seeds. They produce inferior plants. Just keep taking cuttings. Lemon balm and catnip, catmint and other mint relatives are good from seed, but real mints should be propagated from cuttings.

April 21, 2013	#14
Vickipr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 4	I have been growing Mojito mint for 8 yrs now. I understand that you will not get true Mojito mint from seed that you must use cuttings or runners. And yes it does come from Cuba. There are a few nurseries and people you can purchase it from. I my self gave away a lot already this year. It really makes a great drink. I also grow banana, chocolate, lime, lemon, cotton candy, fruitasia, pineapple, orange, berry's and cream. I love them all for drinks and baking. They are all great and refreshing in tea too. Vicki