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Post by bluelacedredhead on Oct 27, 2018 7:47:41 GMT -5
When we moved in 7 years ago, I planted a common Thyme plant. It thrived for 6 years and then failed to navigate a particularly cold winter. So this past spring, I planted another. I don't expect it to live past Halloween, much less the winter we are being forecast.
I'd appreciate any feedback on what may be ailing this herb in my patch all of a sudden??
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Post by paulf on Oct 27, 2018 9:35:13 GMT -5
Found this information:
• If your thyme is lighter in color, it may be due to the location. Keep your thyme in a bright, sunny location that also has morning or afternoon shade. Make sure the location is also sheltered from winds.
• Balancing the soil is a trick and an often over looked step in overall plant care. If your thyme plant is looking bad, it might be the soil’s pH. Keep the pH level of the soil between 5.5 and 7.0 is ideal as the soil should be neutral to slightly basic.
• If the soil is well balanced and you’ve found the ideal location, the problem may be watering too much or not enough. Like other plant, the watering amount depends on the size, age and the location of the plant. Thyme ranges in sizes from 3 inches with an 18 inch spread to 14 inches with a spread of 3 feet—depending on if it is a shrub or creeping variety of thyme. Start with 2 to 3 cups of water once every three days and adjust from there. If you spot mold or fungus growing at the base of the plant, cut back on the water. If the soil is dry and flaky, this means you should add more water.
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Post by brownrexx on Oct 27, 2018 9:45:57 GMT -5
I can't answer this question. I had 2 thyme plants last year planted next to each other. One survived the winter and one didn't.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Oct 27, 2018 10:11:03 GMT -5
I've had the same problem with thyme when I've grown it in the past. Seemed fine, then wouldn't come back, even when the winter wasn't particularly cold. I loved it when I found that "Thyme scented oregano" years ago, but that was eventually killed by a very cold winter, and I hadn't been able to find it - the local herb store only had it that one time. This season, when ordering rosemary from Richter's, I ordered some Syrian oregano, wondering if it was the same variety, and it is! Huge amount of growth on that one plant, and early on, it was a bee magnet, with that blossoming, though I eventually trimmed that off, and it grew huge. I trimmed it down to about 1 ft in diameter twice, the last time just before I brought it into my back porch, along with the silver thyme I got in that same order, both in a junior Earthbox. That silver thyme did OK, but nothing like that oregano. And I use that in place of thyme all the time (pun intended). Not sure how cold resistant this is, but that winter that finally killed the original plant was record cold (for here), down in the low single digits.
It roots well, too. I have one in my hydroponics, which I started just in case the parent plant dies, and it is doing great.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Oct 27, 2018 11:49:19 GMT -5
paulf, All great suggestions. The previous plant was about 3 feet in diameter, however, it was quite woody by the time it died. But I didn't see any root problems when I removed it?? I don't water the herb patch, I let nature do that for me. My garden is a westerly exposure (afternoon sun) and is sheltered by the garden shed and 6 foot wooden privacy fence. We are in a tiny urban space so no open spaces at all. I've covered less hardy herbs like Rosemary in winter before but never Thyme? Might just have been a fluke. pepperhead212, Most of the thymes that are sold in this area (I'm less than a 2 hour drive from Richter's) are hardy in Zones 4-9. I'm in 6a. But we all have those extreme winters with not even snow cover and extreme temps. Sorry you've had problems with losing established plants in winter of late. You too brownrexx, I just read something about aphids and spider mites. I saw aphids in some of the perennials at the other end of the yard this year? Didn't notice them in the herbs but I suppose that's a possibility? I don't recall where I bought this plant? Lowe's maybe?? Ooooo, maybe I'll take a drive to Richter's next year and get some better quality plants!
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Post by brownrexx on Oct 27, 2018 13:09:20 GMT -5
bluelacedredhead, I can buy herbs so cheaply at a greenhouse within 5 miles of my house so I usually buy new ones each year. They are $1.99 per pot usually so I buy new parsley, thyme, rosemary and basil each year. My sage winters over.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Oct 27, 2018 13:30:01 GMT -5
I wish! I have to drive at least 45 minutes to get decent quality herbs.
I suppose I could buy new ones every year but I've always grown them until t hey give up.
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Post by brownrexx on Oct 27, 2018 14:17:15 GMT -5
This is a little family run greenhouse on a farm and I pass it multiple times a week on my way to other places. It is called the Flower Wagon.
I get all of my seedlings as well as any annuals that I want there. I can get peppers or cabbage in a 4-pack for $1.09 so I grow my own tomatoes from seed but I buy all of my other seedlings there.
They have beautiful hanging pots there as well and my birthday is May 20 so I always have hubby take me there to pick out my present. This year I chose a huge pot with mixed flowers and ferns to sit beside my door. I love seeing a beautiful plant as I enter the house.
This works out really well for us. He doesn't have to shop and I like walking around and then saying "buy me this one". I usually add a few herbs too.
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Post by paquebot on Oct 27, 2018 18:47:25 GMT -5
Thyme is usually listed as Zones 5 to 8. Probably explains why I also lost a huge cluster of it one time. That was the same winter that I lost sage which is supposed to be hardy in Zone 4.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Oct 27, 2018 19:50:40 GMT -5
I lost a 12 year old sage in that record cold winter that killed my thyme scented oregano. Also killed 1 of 2 rosemary, under cover, with a heater running. You just never know...
I'm hoping that new sage I got this year is cold hardy! It grew larger than my old plant, from just a 6 leaf plant. Something that I often share with others, at this time of year, for their stuffings.
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Post by aftermidnight on Oct 27, 2018 19:55:23 GMT -5
Thyme is my favorite herb and I use LOTS, I have found that when it get's woody it's time to replace. After trying lots of different ones I have ended up with the common shrubby type. When I cut sprigs I cut just above the woody stems but leave a little green, it will branch out from there. Before it gets too woody I take cuttings.
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Post by bestofour on Oct 27, 2018 20:21:35 GMT -5
Have you had a lot of rain as we have? Thyme doesn't like to have soggy roots. I grow mine in a pot and it's done fine.
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