Hello,

Last year I tried to grow some herbs in pots. I put seed compost in
small clay plant pots and sprinkled seed and the herbs started to grow
but the plants are quite small, less than two inches tall.

How long does it take for the herbs to reach the size of the ones you
see for sale in the garden centres? Are the garden centres selling old
plants or do I need to repot the herbs in larger pots or new compost
or give them a feed of something?

With this being the start of their second year I was hoping they would
have been doing better by now.

Thanks,
Stephen.

In article ,
Stephen wrote:

Last year I tried to grow some herbs in pots. I put seed compost in
small clay plant pots and sprinkled seed and the herbs started to grow
but the plants are quite small, less than two inches tall.

Which herbs?


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On Wed, 3 May 2017 08:15:06 -0000 (UTC), (Nick
Maclaren) wrote:


Which herbs?

thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, lavender, mint, cloves, lemon balm.

I did also grow basil but I believe that is an annual, so I lost that
but have just planted new seeds.

The mint was described as peppermint but reading on the internet
suggests peppermint is a sterile hybrid, so I am not sure what they
have sold me!

I have just planted lemon grass and chamomile and would like lemon
verbena if I could find someone selling seeds (I have found plants for
sale but I would have liked to grow from seed, buying plants just
seems like cheating!)

In article ,
Stephen wrote:

Which herbs?

thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, lavender, mint, cloves, lemon balm.

Right. Thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary and lavender are all
Mediterranian plants, need a free-draining soil, and should be
watered only when very dry - e.g. usually not at all in winter,
and only in dry weather in summer. They need full sun. Don't
bother fertilising them, unless they are in a VERY poor soil.
Incidentally, a sandy John Innes compost (i.e. soil-based) is much
better than soilless composts for these.

Mint and chives (which I assume is what you mean by cloves) are
waterside plants, and DO like regular watering. They don't need
direct sunlight, but need a light position.

Lemon balm is a thug, I don't grow it, and am not sure.

I did also grow basil but I believe that is an annual, so I lost that
but have just planted new seeds.

It is actually a perennial - in the tropics! Grow it as an annual,
in a warm position and keep it well-watered. Watch out for aphids.
A UK summer is often too cold for it outside - a sunny window ledge
or similar is often best.

The mint was described as peppermint but reading on the internet
suggests peppermint is a sterile hybrid, so I am not sure what they
have sold me!

Quite.

I have just planted lemon grass and chamomile and would like lemon
verbena if I could find someone selling seeds (I have found plants for
sale but I would have liked to grow from seed, buying plants just
seems like cheating!)

Lemon grass is tropical and, apparently, can take dry conditions.
But it will need all the heat and sunlight you can give it, and to
be brought in (and kept fairly dry) in the winter. Winter wet kills
more 'tender' plants than frost does.

I loathe chamomile, so don't grow it.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 05/05/2017 09:53, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Fri, 05 May 2017 09:30:09 +0100, Stephen
wrote:

On Wed, 03 May 2017 10:10:26 +0100, Chris Hogg wrote:

Seed compost doesn't contain much in the way of fertiliser.

What fertiliser do you recommend and how often?

A general fertiliser in the water, such as Phostrogen, Miracle-grow or
Baby-bio. Plenty to choose from in your local garden centre. Probably
best made up at half the recommended strength, and applied once a
month, between normal waterings.

Are they overcrowded?

Possibly.

Have you pricked them out into separate pots?

No, I shall do this. Any pointers?

Keep the pots small this first time; one seedling per pot; handle the
seedlings by the leaves not the stems; be gentle with them when
loosening from their existing soil, i.e. try not to just rip them out,
and after a year where they are they are likely to have tangled roots.
Some root breakage will be inevitable though. Pot up in say John Innes
No.1 compost, possibly with extra grit, say 20%. You will probably
find you have far more seedlings than you need or have space for.
Don't be afraid to be brutal and throw quite a few away.

Clay pots dry out faster than plastic ones. Do you water the compost
regularly?

I have used clay pots as they look prettier than plastic and I do
water them daily.

Daily watering is probably too often. Twice a week might be better.
Better still, when the pot feels light, but that takes experience.
Herbs often like gritty free-draining soil and daily watering is going
to keep the soil too wet and will encourage root-rot.

Do you have them in a well-lit position

Yes.

Thanks for your help!



If you are new to growing herbs then I would start with plants, once you
are able to grow them well and have learned what conditions and
treatment they like, then is the time to try growing from seed.
David @ a sunny side of Swansea Bay

On Fri, 5 May 2017 11:48:33 -0000 (UTC), (Nick
Maclaren) wrote:

Right. Thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary and lavender are all
Mediterranian plants, need a free-draining soil, and should be
watered only when very dry - e.g. usually not at all in winter,
and only in dry weather in summer. They need full sun. Don't
bother fertilising them, unless they are in a VERY poor soil.
Incidentally, a sandy John Innes compost (i.e. soil-based) is much
better than soilless composts for these.

Thank you for your help.

At the moment they are in seed compost. Do you think I should repot
into something different?

I now believe that I did it wrong by sowing straight into pots and
that I should have used a seed tray first and then transplanted when
big enough. I can't remember why I didn't do this! At least I have
learnt how to do it properly for next time.

I give them a light watering daily at the moment but that's because
they are in clay pots in full sun. They were not watered as frequently
in the winter but that was probably due to my laziness rather than
being intentional!

Mint and chives (which I assume is what you mean by cloves)

Yes, chives. The spell checker must have changed it when I wasn't
looking!

waterside plants, and DO like regular watering. They don't need
direct sunlight, but need a light position.

Lemon balm is a thug, I don't grow it, and am not sure.

Thug in what way: does it spread like mint?

On 05/05/17 12:48, Nick Maclaren wrote:

Lemon grass is tropical and, apparently, can take dry conditions.
But it will need all the heat and sunlight you can give it, and to
be brought in (and kept fairly dry) in the winter. Winter wet kills
more 'tender' plants than frost does.

I have grown lemon grass in the conservatory for several years. Mine
doesn't like being dry, but has also never grown well! I've never
succeeded in getting any to put in food, but it does smell nice when you
crush the leaves. However, they are also a bit sticky.

I also grew lemon verbena in the conservatory. But it is a very scruffy
plant and drops its leaves all over the place. It also leaves the floor
under it somewhat sticky, so The Management has decided it has to go.
I've now stuck it outside in a very sheltered position between our house
and our neighbour's house, protected by a fence on the east side, and
getting some afternoon sun. It will be interesting to see if it survives
next winter.

--

Jeff

In article ,
Stephen wrote:

At the moment they are in seed compost. Do you think I should repot
into something different?

Eventually, yes, but there's no panic.

Lemon balm is a thug, I don't grow it, and am not sure.

Thug in what way: does it spread like mint?

You've got the idea :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.