Give buchu a go!

Approximately 80% of buchu essential oils are used in the food and flavour industry to enhance fruit flavours.

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A member of the Rutaceae family (citrus), Agathosma betulina is a typical component of Cape fynbos. There are 150 species in the genus, and A. betulina (round-leaf buchu) and A. crenulata (oval-leaf buchu) are the most well-known varieties.

A. betulina is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape, ranging from Clanwilliam in the north to Tulbach in the south. A. crenulata is found naturally from Gouda in the north to Stanford in the south, and east as far as the Outeniqua mountains.

A. betulina is a small, multistemmed shrub, which grows about 1m high. A. crenulata is a single-stemmed shrub that grows to a height of up to 2,5m.

A. betulina requires a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall; the winter temperature should be between 6°C and 17°C, and the summer temperature between 15°C and 38°C. The species thrives in virgin soil on mountain slopes in highly leached or sandy, well-drained, gravelly soil with a minimum depth of 600mm. In nature, it prefers the middle slopes, usually south- or east-facing, which are cool and naturally moist.

Planted mostly in the Western Cape, A. betulina requires soils with a low pH, ideally 3,5 to 4,5, but will tolerate a pH of up to 5,5. Soil salinity and phosphate should also be low. Phosphate levels should not exceed 15 parts per million (ppm), but plants will tolerate up to 20 ppm. Soil nitrate levels should also be low. High potash and sulphur counts are found in their natural habitat.

When preparing the land, take soil samples and have them analysed. Prepare the land with tined implements only. If needed, rip the soil to about 900mm to improve drainage and root penetration, and plough to a depth of 20cm to 30cm.