11
votes
A dark blight is eating my Basil. What to do?
That might well be slug or snail damage - given there's lots of leaf litter laying around your plant, you've created a perfect environment for slugs to hide beneath during the day, and then appear at ...
- 135k
10
votes
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Plant recommendation for gift for kindergarten students
I recall doing something like this each spring (for several years) growing up, and the plant of choice was Marigolds (planted in a paper cup, as far as I recall) which were grown in class and then ...
- 25.2k
9
votes
Accepted
My basil is "rotting", here's all the clues I have gathered
Looks like a heavy whitefly aphid infestation - they're usually underneath the leaves and suck the sap within, causing the leaf to shrivel and die. You can't treat with pesticide because it's an ...
- 135k
9
votes
Plant recommendation for gift for kindergarten students
My two suggestions; Scarlet Runner Beans and the second is Carex testacea or Orange Sedge. Easy to grow, very pretty no matter its age, wonderful to tuck into any plant bed or pot, nice just left in ...
- 40.5k
8
votes
Plant recommendation for gift for kindergarten students
Have you considered something as simple as Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum)?
You can simply hand out a pack of seeds and a piece of cotton wool. The kids can then "plant" it themselves (really just ...
- 213
7
votes
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Is if safe to use this insecticide (d-Allethrin, Permethrin, Piperonyl butoxide) on my edible herbs?
It's extremely helpful that you included the actual ingredient list in your question, rather than a brandname - thank you!
So you know, I grow anything that I eat organically and this question is one ...
- 20.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Can I revive my basil that wasn't watered for a week?
"Worth it" is often personal taste. Of these plants (in those store-bought pots are many young plants, not one), the smaller ones with the large leaves on top will probably bounce back and grow a bit ...
- 16.8k
6
votes
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Are Majorana hortensis and Origanum majorana the same plant?
Yes, they are the same species. Moench put it as different genus (Majorana), but still keeping references to Linnaeus' Origanum majorana.
So they are the same species, and both are acceptable (and ...
- 14.7k
6
votes
Are there any poisonous species of salvia?
Without further research, S. divinorum comes to mind.
A plant that’s used for its hallucinogenic effects should never be used carelessly in regular cooking. It may not be poisonous in the literal ...
- 16.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Can a Mexican sage survive losing all its stems?
These things happen (in my case, my cats get excited and "boticidal").
They just might survive. I would leave any leaves that are still on the plants there, protect them from any further damage, ...
- 3,636
5
votes
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Minty smelling plant with white and pink flowers
Yup. It's Salvia "Hot Lips"
"Delicate red and white blooms create a stunning show throughout summer. Some flowers will bloom in solid red color attracting bees and hummingbirds. With a little ...
- 3,056
5
votes
Accepted
The correct way to prune a rosemary
I would add some fertilizer. Not much, rosemary is a plant of poor and dry soils. On the other hand, if it is a lot woody, probably it has eat most of nutrient in the soil.
I would also check if ...
- 14.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Will Sage, Oregano and Thyme grow well together in the same pot?
They can be grown nearby one another, they prefer the same conditions, but in a pot, the three together will quickly outgrow the container. Sage is a shrub that can get 2/3 feet wide by a couple of ...
- 135k
5
votes
is fresh oregano supposed to be pungent?
Dried herbs are always stronger than fresh, which is why only a small amount is used in cooking, whereas a much larger amount of the fresh herb is needed to give flavour. Depending on the herb, half ...
- 135k
5
votes
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Dry herb identification
It's a greek mountain tea. Not a St. John's wort but an ironwort.
Makes a great Mediterranean tea.
Here's More: Wikipedia/ Sideritis
- 1,264
4
votes
Can I revive my basil that wasn't watered for a week?
Yes. It is very interesting to see a dry basilicum to improve within few minutes (so you see it in real time).
Basilicum is a plant who originates in dry places, so it will not die, and at first rain ...
- 14.7k
4
votes
Is my ginger stem too thin?
Looks healthy to me! I don't think a support is necessary. If a cane grows too long for the pot, you can trim it (cut off the last 1/3 of that cane). Make sure they get as much light as possible, to ...
- 51.9k
4
votes
Accepted
What is this fungus or mould on my oregano, and how should I treat it?
Change the environment to create one much more suitable for growing these plants. It's a good thing you told me where the Oregano was in the third picture, because it's next to impossible to tell. I'm ...
- 135k
4
votes
Oregano becoming red, what's wrong?
Remove the extra lighting - if you have your plant on a sunny windowsill, even if it only gets morning or afternoon sun, that's enough. Turn the pot weekly so that each side of the plant gets exposure ...
- 135k
4
votes
Accepted
Need help on basics for growing herbs and vegetables in pots
I am glad you will start with 'starts' or plants grown from a seed to a decent size.
The least expensive pots are black plastic. You can get them from a nursery very cheaply. Any pot with a ...
- 40.5k
4
votes
Accepted
When to cut chives for drying, and can I separate them?
These should really be growing outdoors - the only reason they're so tall is because of insufficient light. Chives like full sun if possible, and outdoors if possible.
In regard to separating the 4 ...
- 135k
4
votes
Non-flowering chives
I live in a pretty far northern climate, and decided I hated the natural prairie grass landscaping that came with my house. Traditional chives and "Chinese/garlic" chives now dominate the front of my ...
- 693
4
votes
Accepted
Red bugs, tiny webs and white powder on Tulsi plant
From your description, I would guess spider mites. They are very small and red. They leave a fine webbing on the plant and they turn the plant white-ish. Check with your local garden center to find ...
- 3,238
4
votes
Accepted
Herb identification (Possible Satureja viminea)
Satureja viminea (serpentine savory)
Summary from Dave's Garden:
Type: shrub or small tree where not prone to frost (6-8 ft x 8-10
ft)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: average pH: 5.6-7.5
...
- 2,542
4
votes
Are Majorana hortensis and Origanum majorana the same plant?
Yes, they are the same plant. Several hundreds years ago, when botanists worldwide were trying to classify plants, they didn't have the resources to compare their samples to a standard one and they ...
- 5,446
4
votes
Accepted
A single large sunflower among herbs - a good or a bad idea?
Below is a photo of the single Sunflower ‘Sun King’ planted in our community garden patch this year.
It has been entirely worth it!
So many creatures have enjoyed this flower, including humans.
...
- 1,964
4
votes
What are these tiny black things on the tips of my chive seedlings?
Those are the seed coats (the protective outer coatings of the seeds). You'll notice they look like onion seeds. I've seen those on alliums I've grown from seed. They're nothing to worry about here. ...
- 18.4k
4
votes
Pinching vs Pruning
It depends on the plant type. For example with bonsai it is recommended to pinch conifers (pines) instead of cutting them with scissors. The reason is that you can cut needles in half and they will ...
- 13.2k
4
votes
How to restore wilted cilantro?
Wilting is a sign of transplant shock; a severe change in environment, or damage to the roots, may cause issues like this, too. In your case, I'm thinking it's just not hardened off to your windowsill....
- 18.4k
4
votes
How to restore wilted cilantro?
The trouble with supermarket herbs is, they're surrounded by a plastic bag which supports the foliage - when you remove that outer wrap, they often flop over completely. Usually, with basil and ...
- 135k
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