Anyone is seduced by the idea of planting a little parsley in pots or planters and cutting it as we need it for our gourmet dishes. But like any plant, an abuse of “stealing” its stems can affect its germination and have problems with the growth of the plant. In this article, we recommend how to cut parsley to grow itapplicable to other aromatic plants such as thyme, rosemary, basil or oregano for example.
Parsley grows very easily in periods of warm temperatures (spring and summer), remaining partially dormant during the winter months. Light pruning, taking advantage of the leaves for consumption, is where germination is most activated, maintaining a light but constant humidity in its substrate.
read more: Complete guide to planting parsley.
How to cut parsley to grow it
It is important do not remove entire stems from the root, since you lose parsley germination. The best way to cut parsley to keep it growing is to select the larger leaves on the upper stems. Always try to leave a few centimeters of shoots with small leaves from the substrate, so that it promotes lateral germination.
Select the larger leaves and try to avoid the stems, which have no use in the kitchen except for the thinner ones. When the top of the stem is completely stripped of leaves, you can cut it off with the scissors and discard it.
When should you cut parsley?
Parsley, like any other plant, undergoes a resting process where germination slows down, coinciding with low winter temperatures. For this reason, although we can also cut the parsley at this time, it is recommended do it most intensely when it’s in full budduring the spring, summer and even fall months.
These cuttings will stimulate germination so the parsley will continue to grow.
read more: what is the difference between cilantro and parsley?
How long does the parsley plant last?
The parsley plant is biennial, producing stems and leaves in the first year and in the 2nd year flowers and seeds appear. After this time, it is not worth continuing to care for the old plant of parsley and a new one should be sown. The best quality leaves are obtained in the first year, although it is interesting to collect the seeds in the 2nd year if they are to be replanted from this one.
Keep in mind that flowering may be advanced if the parsley experiences low temperatures. In general, the ideal temperature is as follows:
- Daytime temperature: 22 ºC to 26 ºC.
- Night temperature: 17ºC -18ºC.
If we grow it from seed, parsley is a bit lazy in the germination, taking between 3 and 4 weeks. However, once the seedling has emerged, the growth process is quite rapid and in 45-60 days we will have an adult plant to harvest the leaves.
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GIANT ITALIAN PARSLEY
- Plant with erect stems, large, wide, wavy dark green leaves, very aromatic and with a pronounced taste
- Sowing: It can be done all year round, although the most appropriate is in spring, sow on the spot or on the fly, even in pots.
- Its germination is slow, it takes 20 to 30 days. It is advisable to soak the seed 24 hours before sowing.
- It is convenient to macerate the seed for 24 hours before sowing.
Grown indoors, parsley can be grown all year round, even in winter.