About Chia Pets
Anyone who has spent any amount of time in American discount stores during the holiday season has undoubtedly seen the newest crop of Chia Pets. For more than two decades, these planters, dubbed "pottery that grows," have been a favorite gift for that person who has everything. They have not diminished in their appeal over time.
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History
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Though they are now famous Americana, Chia Pets originated in Mexico. Joe Pedott, owner of Joseph Enterprises Inc., first discovered the pets in 1977 when speaking with Walter Houston, a buyer for a drug store chain, at a houseware show in Chicago. Houston was having trouble turning a profit on the product and sold the rights to the name to Pedott. Pedott returned to San Francisco, home of his marketing company, and set to work on a campaign to promote the pets. The first model, the Chia ram, hit stores in 1982. Chia pets are now imported from China.
Products
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Over the years, the Chia brand has expanded to include many pets, including frogs, turtles, bears, pigs, bunnies, kittens, puppies and even dinosaurs. Also available are Chia Heads, which were introduced in 1995. These items, which allow the owner to adorn pottery people with Chia, were Pedott's answer to the popular "grass head" fad of the time. In 2000, licensed products were also added to the mix, including Scooby-Doo, Homer Simpson and Garfield. Joseph Enterprises began selling a Chia Barack Obama in 2009 to celebrate the inauguration of the popular president. The company also sells herb gardens and cat grass under the Chia brand.
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Name
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The Chia Pet is named for the seeds used to grow its "hair." Salvia hispanica, an herb related to mint, is called "chia" by the people of its native Mexico.
Instructions
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Chia Pets are popular, in part, because they are so easy to grow. There are only three steps involved:
1. Mix the Chia seeds with water and stir to form a paste.
2. Soak the Chia body in water for 24 hours.
3. Fill the Chia body with water and apply the seed paste in the grooves.
With proper sunlight, the seeds will sprout within 1 week.
Considerations
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Some people have difficulty getting their Chia seeds to grow because the air in their home is too dry. In this case, they can try misting the pottery once a day with a small spray bottle. If the seeds die, they can always start again. Each pet comes with three sets.
Alternatives
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Chia is not the only plant that can grow on a Chia Pet. They can also be used to grow basil, marjoram, alfalfa and other herbs that are adaptable to the pottery environment.
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