Variety field guide
What to expect from Red Apache Sorrel
Red Apache brings reddish foliage and a bright, lemony tang to the herb garden.
Open the complete descriptionHide the complete descriptionVariety traits, flavor, garden use, and the complete description
Red Apache brings reddish foliage and a bright, lemony tang to the herb garden. Snip tender young leaves into a mixed salad, sauce or soup where a little sour flavor is welcome. The color also gives this culinary herb a place along a garden edge or in a roomy pot. Regular light picking encourages fresh growth; remove flower stalks when leaves are the main goal, and leave enough foliage for the plant to recover between harvests.
Minimum seeds per packet: 150 seeds.
Colorful leaves with a lively lemony accent for the kitchen.
Variety and background
Red Apache supplier records conflict between Rumex acetosella and Rumex hymenosepalus. Only the genus is confirmed here; no specific tribal origin or medicinal benefit is asserted.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Rumex species; exact species awaiting supplier confirmation |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Maturity / harvest basis | 50-59 Days |
| Seed depth | 1/8-1/4 in |
| Germination | 10-21 days |
| Germination temperature | 65-80 F |
| Plant height / spread | 13–18 in |
| Habit | Rosette |
| Plant spacing | 12 in |
| Row spacing | 24 in |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Pollination type | Open-Pollinated (OP) |
Starting from seed
Sow in spring or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting, 1/8-1/4 in. deep. At 65-80 F allow 10-21 days. Set 12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give draining soil and even moisture while young; avoid waterlogged roots.
Planting and care
Sow in spring or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting, 1/8-1/4 in. deep. At 65-80 F allow 10-21 days. Set 12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give draining soil and even moisture while young; avoid waterlogged roots. Red Apache supplier records conflict between Rumex acetosella and Rumex hymenosepalus. Only the genus is confirmed here; no specific tribal origin or medicinal benefit is asserted.
Harvest and use
Pick tender leaves, taking up to one-third at once; use as a small accent. Refrigerate promptly. For seed, separate sorrel varieties and gather dry heads before shedding. Remove unwanted seedlings and spreading shoots.
Saving seed
Select several healthy, true-to-type Red Apache plants that match the expected rosette habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Identity-limited seed lot. The current commercial name does not establish one verified species or uniform seed lineage. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Red Apache is a perennial. Seed production may require overwintering, vernalization, or more than one growing season, depending on climate and crop biology. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
Common problems
Common concerns: Damping-off, aphids, slugs, caterpillars, leaf spots, root rots, and stress-related bolting or poor establishment. Management: Start with clean seed and mix, match temperature to the crop, avoid overwatering, provide airflow, scout regularly, and rotate families. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control.
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes this selection?
Red Apache supplier records conflict between Rumex acetosella and Rumex hymenosepalus. Only the genus is confirmed here; no specific tribal origin or medicinal benefit is asserted.
How should I start it?
Sow in spring or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting, 1/8-1/4 in. deep. At 65-80 F allow 10-21 days. Set 12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give draining soil and even moisture while young; avoid waterlogged roots.
When and how should I harvest?
Pick tender leaves, taking up to one-third at once; use as a small accent. Refrigerate promptly. For seed, separate sorrel varieties and gather dry heads before shedding. Remove unwanted seedlings and spreading shoots.
Can I save seed?
Select several healthy, true-to-type Red Apache plants that match the expected rosette habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Identity-limited seed lot. The current commercial name does not establish one verified species or uniform seed lineage. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Red Apache is a perennial. Seed production may require overwintering, vernalization, or more than one growing season, depending on climate and crop biology. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
