DIFFERENT SOURCES OF NATURAL INDIGO-DYE:

                                                           Indigo dye is an important dyestuff with a distinctive blue color. The natural dye comes from several species of plant, but nearly all indigo produced today is synthetic. A variety of plants, including woad, have provided indigo throughout history, but most natural indigo is obtained from those in the genus Indigofera, which are native to the tropics.

         In temperate climates indigo can also be obtained from woad (Isatistinctoria) and dyer's knotweed (Polygonumtinctorum), although the Indigofera species yield more dye. The primary commercial indigo species in Asia was true indigo (Indigoferatinctoria, also known as Indigoferasumatrana). In Central and South America the two species Indigoferasuffruticosa (Anil) and Indigoferaarrecta (Natal indigo) were the most important.

Natural indigo was the only source of the dye until about 1900. Within a short time, however, synthetic indigo had almost completely superseded natural indigo, and today nearly all indigo produced is synthetic. The indigo Flowering plant is ANIL .For a long period of time, the primary commercial indigo species in Asia was true indigo, scientific name Indigoferatinctoria, also known as Indigoferasumatrana. But In Central and South America the two species Indigoferasuffruticosa, known as Anal, and Indigoferaarrecta became very popular sources.

Propagation of indigo:

By seed

Sow in a seed tray or large saucer pot during late May, covering the seed lightly with compost or a thin layer of vermiculite, then place a sheet of glass over the tray and keep at a temperature of 24°C. Once the seedlings have germinated, prick out into 9cm pots and move on as they grow. They prefer a loam based compost with good drainage and plenty of organic matter, and like full sun. Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from established plants can be taken in July and usually root quite easily without the need for hormone powder. They need to have most of their leaves removed for best results.

Cultivation of indigo:

The use of plant indigo has nearly died out and has been almost completely replaced by synthetic indigo. But in recent years, the demand for natural dyes has been increasing in many countries again, because of health and pollution effects and a revival of interest in the relationship between dyes and culture.

At present, indigo is still cultivated for dye on a small scale in India (particularly in the northern part of Karnataka) and in some parts of Africa and Central America.
It is grown often as a secondary crop. Propagation is usually by seeds which are sown at first in seed beds or directly into the field. Germination takes about 4 days. Branches are harvested when the plants are about 4 to 5 months old and flowering. The plants can continue to be harvested like this at 3 to 4 months intervals three times a year. The total life span of a crop can be 2 to 3 years. It grows mainly as an Annual/Perennial, so it will last at least a year and up to several years in its native climate. True indigo normally grows to a shrubby habit with a max height of 4.88 feet (that's 1.50 meters metric). This plant tends to bloom in early summer, followed by first harvests in early summer.

Process to grow indigo:

• Harvest seeds from a vigorous, healthy Indigofera tinctoria shrub in late summer. Select several clean, unblemished seedpods and remove them by hand. Store the seedpods until early spring.
• Place a coffee filter in a clean bowl. Crack opens the seedpods over the bowl and shakes the seeds onto the coffee filter. Fill the bowl with hot -- but not boiling -- water and soak the seeds for 24 hours.
• Prepare the planting bed while the seeds soak. Select a planting site with full sun and good drainage. Test the soil acidity using a soil pH test kit. Soil pH below 6.9 will require amendment to increase the alkalinity.
• Cultivate the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches using a rotary tiller. Remove any stones or large rocks from the bed. Spread an 8-inch layer of compost across the bed. Add pelletized lime to the bed according to the manufacturer's instructions if your soil pH is above 6.9. Run the tiller over the bed several more times to incorporate the amendments. Water to an 8-inch depth to settle the soil.
• Discard any seeds that are floating on the surface of the water. Gather the top of the coffee filter and lift the remaining seeds from the bowl. Allow them to drain for 15 minutes before planting them.
• Poke one 1/8-inch-deep hole every 12 inches. Sow one seed into each hole and lightly cover with soil. Water the seeds to a depth of 7 inches every 10 days using a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle set to soak. Seedlings will appear after 30 days.
• Thin the seedlings to one every 3 feet once they reach 6 inches in height and have a set of true leaves. Replace one monthly watering with 1/2 cup of kelp emulsion diluted in 2 gallons of water to provide a good source of additional nutrients.
  Climate, water & soil requirements:

                                                                   A variety of plants have provided indigo throughout history, but most natural indigo is obtained from those in the genus Indigofera, which are native to the tropics. In temperate climates indigo can also be obtained from woad (Isatis tinctoria) and dyer's knotweed (Polygonum tinctorum).various soils texture can be used to grow it but Clay soil is best for growing.  Average Water Needs; Water regular

DIFFERENT SOURCES OF NATURAL INDIGO-DYE:

                                                           Indigo dye is an important dyestuff with a distinctive blue color. The natural dye comes from several species of plant, but nearly all indigo produced today is synthetic. A variety of plants, including woad, have provided indigo throughout history, but most natural indigo is obtained from those in the genus Indigofera, which are native to the tropics.

         In temperate climates indigo can also be obtained from woad (Isatistinctoria) and dyer's knotweed (Polygonumtinctorum), although the Indigofera species yield more dye. The primary commercial indigo species in Asia was true indigo (Indigoferatinctoria, also known as Indigoferasumatrana). In Central and South America the two species Indigoferasuffruticosa (Anil) and Indigoferaarrecta (Natal indigo) were the most important.

Natural indigo was the only source of the dye until about 1900. Within a short time, however, synthetic indigo had almost completely superseded natural indigo, and today nearly all indigo produced is synthetic. The indigo Flowering plant is ANIL .For a long period of time, the primary commercial indigo species in Asia was true indigo, scientific name Indigoferatinctoria, also known as Indigoferasumatrana. But In Central and South America the two species Indigoferasuffruticosa, known as Anal, and Indigoferaarrecta became very popular sources.

Propagation of indigo:

By seed

Sow in a seed tray or large saucer pot during late May, covering the seed lightly with compost or a thin layer of vermiculite, then place a sheet of glass over the tray and keep at a temperature of 24°C. Once the seedlings have germinated, prick out into 9cm pots and move on as they grow. They prefer a loam based compost with good drainage and plenty of organic matter, and like full sun. Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from established plants can be taken in July and usually root quite easily without the need for hormone powder. They need to have most of their leaves removed for best results.

Cultivation of indigo:

The use of plant indigo has nearly died out and has been almost completely replaced by synthetic indigo. But in recent years, the demand for natural dyes has been increasing in many countries again, because of health and pollution effects and a revival of interest in the relationship between dyes and culture.

At present, indigo is still cultivated for dye on a small scale in India (particularly in the northern part of Karnataka) and in some parts of Africa and Central America.
It is grown often as a secondary crop. Propagation is usually by seeds which are sown at first in seed beds or directly into the field. Germination takes about 4 days. Branches are harvested when the plants are about 4 to 5 months old and flowering. The plants can continue to be harvested like this at 3 to 4 months intervals three times a year. The total life span of a crop can be 2 to 3 years. It grows mainly as an Annual/Perennial, so it will last at least a year and up to several years in its native climate. True indigo normally grows to a shrubby habit with a max height of 4.88 feet (that's 1.50 meters metric). This plant tends to bloom in early summer, followed by first harvests in early summer.

Process to grow indigo:

• Harvest seeds from a vigorous, healthy Indigofera tinctoria shrub in late summer. Select several clean, unblemished seedpods and remove them by hand. Store the seedpods until early spring.
• Place a coffee filter in a clean bowl. Crack opens the seedpods over the bowl and shakes the seeds onto the coffee filter. Fill the bowl with hot -- but not boiling -- water and soak the seeds for 24 hours.
• Prepare the planting bed while the seeds soak. Select a planting site with full sun and good drainage. Test the soil acidity using a soil pH test kit. Soil pH below 6.9 will require amendment to increase the alkalinity.
• Cultivate the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches using a rotary tiller. Remove any stones or large rocks from the bed. Spread an 8-inch layer of compost across the bed. Add pelletized lime to the bed according to the manufacturer's instructions if your soil pH is above 6.9. Run the tiller over the bed several more times to incorporate the amendments. Water to an 8-inch depth to settle the soil.
• Discard any seeds that are floating on the surface of the water. Gather the top of the coffee filter and lift the remaining seeds from the bowl. Allow them to drain for 15 minutes before planting them.
• Poke one 1/8-inch-deep hole every 12 inches. Sow one seed into each hole and lightly cover with soil. Water the seeds to a depth of 7 inches every 10 days using a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle set to soak. Seedlings will appear after 30 days.
• Thin the seedlings to one every 3 feet once they reach 6 inches in height and have a set of true leaves. Replace one monthly watering with 1/2 cup of kelp emulsion diluted in 2 gallons of water to provide a good source of additional nutrients.
  Climate, water & soil requirements:

                                                                   A variety of plants have provided indigo throughout history, but most natural indigo is obtained from those in the genus Indigofera, which are native to the tropics. In temperate climates indigo can also be obtained from woad (Isatis tinctoria) and dyer's knotweed (Polygonum tinctorum).various soils texture can be used to grow it but Clay soil is best for growing.  Average Water Needs; Water regular