In the garden from the terrace it’s a great idea to create a small area of aromatic plants , which will be very useful to flavor dishes, as well as to perfume the environment. On every balcony that has a good sun exposure A pot of oregano, a very beautiful Mediterranean plant, which benefits in particular from wind and sun, should not be missing.
Pot culture of oregano it can be done without much difficulty , with excellent satisfaction. Common oregano, not to be confused with marjoram ( oregano majorana ), does not require much attention and can last for years in the same pot, continuing to produce characteristically fragrant leaves and flowers.
The most important precaution in growing this species in pots is in the n because there is not too much irrigation water because the oregano rhizome suffers from stagnation, all the more so when it is enclosed in a container.
Contents [Ocultar]
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Choose the right launcher
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the right floor
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Sow or cut
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pot culture
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collect and dry
Contents
Choose a suitable pot
Oregano requires a pot Medium sized , at least 20 cm deep, the larger the pot, the more likely the bush will grow and form a larger bush. Pots that are too small are more suitable for undemanding plants, such as strawberries or lettuce, which do not have a root system like oregano.
If we want to grow aromatic herbs on a small balcony, we can decide to add oregano to other plants, in a single container. In this case we associate very well with sage, thyme or rosemary , it is also possible to accompany it with marjoram, although the two very similar plants share diseases and parasites. I do not advise to put it, on the contrary, with basil, because it would be an annual and versatile plant, and not even with mint, a too infesting plant that would steal all the space from it in a few months.
The position in which the pot is to be placed must be full sun this is important for the plant to produce fragrant leaves.
the right floor
Once we have chosen the pot, we can fill it: we start from the bottom by putting a layer of expanded clay or gravel, allowing excess water to drain quickly, then we fill it with planting land possibly supplemented with a little sand.
Oregano has no special soil needs: it is a humble plant that uses even very poor soils, so if the soil is good no need for fertilization .
Sow or cut
To start growing oregano, we can sow potted at the end of winter or, more simply, by taking an existing plant, take a portion of the complete plant with roots and transplant it. The third option is to root a small branch ( cutting technique ), also very simple. Finally, in almost all nurseries, you can buy ready-made oregano plants.
Be a perennial we do not need to replace it every year, by cultivating it correctly we can keep the oregano in a pot for several years.
pot culture
Growing oregano in pots does not differ much from growing in the open field, so you can look at the article dedicated specifically to growing oregano. two other things have if we want to keep this aromatic on the balcony, related to irrigation and fertilization, are due to the fact that the plant is enclosed in a container and therefore has very limited resources compared to those you would find in nature.
With regard to irrigation even if oregano is a crop that tolerates aridity very well if kept in a pot regular watering is recommended , so as not to let the soil dry out completely. However, when irrigating, care should be taken to provide a moderate amount water to avoid excessive humidity.
As for fertilizer on the contrary, oregano lives well in poor soils, but always due to the limited resources available in the pots, it is good to remember that it is necessary to renew every year nutrients, with organic fertilization to be done after flowering.
collect and dry
Harvesting oregano is very simple: it is tear off the leaves that are needed, to use them directly in the kitchen. the inflorescences they can be harvested and used in the same way, they have the same aroma. If you want to dry the plant to preserve it over time, it is advisable collect whole twigs which must be hung in a ventilated and shaded place.
Those growing on the balcony often do not have a suitable place to dry the herbs, the advice is to get a household dryer without it, you can try using a ventilated oven , maintained at minimum temperature and slightly opened. Due to increased heat, the oven may lose some of the aroma and properties of this medicinal plant.