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Aug 9, 2015 3:49 AM CST
Thread OP
Barcelona, Spain
Hi there,

I am not sure this is the right section for this questions, but I am new to plants and flowers and I'd like to grow basil,coriander,parsley,chives in flower pots.Is it possible? (I dont have a garden...so flow pots are the only option).

My experience is that these herbs (when I get them from the supermarket) die fast. I really dont know why. Maybe I overwater them, or their soil is not rich enough in nutrients.

Anyways....I'd like to learn how to keep them alive for a few months (how to water them, what soil to use, where to keep them) and how to pick the leaves for my food without killing them.

How do I start? I assume I just get the seeds....but then again I need instructions as to how to plant the seeds, what to do with the younglings, when and how much water to use, what kind of soil....etc.....

Cheers
Last edited by Gabe1982 Aug 9, 2015 3:57 AM Icon for preview
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Aug 9, 2015 5:43 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
All of those herbs should grow well in containers.
Use a good potting or seed starter soil mix.
The soil mix just has to be damp, and not wet.
Sprinkle the seeds on top of the damp soil mix.
Cover the seeds with very thin scattering of vermiculite or peat or soil mix.
Pull a plastic bag or some other clear cover over the containers,
but vent it so air can get into the container. This is to keep the moisture in ONLY until the seeds sprout. When you see green sprouts, remove the clear plastic cover.
The containers need to be in good light and warmth.
It is better to water from below rather than washing the seeds about.
Avatar for Coppice
Aug 9, 2015 5:44 AM CST
Name: Tom Cagle
SE-OH (Zone 6a)
Old, fat, and gardening in OH
Seek out already started plants. transplant them into bigger pots with added soiless mix, and compost or osmocoat fertilizer pellets.

Indoors is too dry and light levels are too low in summer. Grow your herbs on the porch till fall. Then you can move them into a brightly lit windowsill.
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Aug 9, 2015 6:11 AM CST
Thread OP
Barcelona, Spain
CarolineScott said:All of those herbs should grow well in containers.
Use a good potting or seed starter soil mix.
The soil mix just has to be damp, and not wet.
Sprinkle the seeds on top of the damp soil mix.
Cover the seeds with very thin scattering of vermiculite or peat or soil mix.
Pull a plastic bag or some other clear cover over the containers,
but vent it so air can get into the container. This is to keep the moisture in ONLY until the seeds sprout. When you see green sprouts, remove the clear plastic cover.
The containers need to be in good light and warmth.
It is better to water from below rather than washing the seeds about.


Thanks for the reply.
Is it a simple flower mix that you refer to when you saying "potting soil mix"?

Coppice said:Seek out already started plants. transplant them into bigger pots with added soiless mix, and compost or osmocoat fertilizer pellets.

Indoors is too dry and light levels are too low in summer. Grow your herbs on the porch till fall. Then you can move them into a brightly lit windowsill.


What does "added soiless mix" mean? Or what kind of a mix is it?
Last edited by Gabe1982 Aug 9, 2015 6:12 AM Icon for preview
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Aug 9, 2015 6:34 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Gabe, for me here in NE Mississippi, chives (both Italian and garlic chives) are perennials. It flowers twice a year as well and those flowers are not only really pretty but edible. I will send you all the seeds you could possibly want for postage. Heck, I can send you all the plants you want for postage. We use chives 2-3 a week and it never stops growing until we really get into winter, with lows well below freezing.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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Aug 9, 2015 7:48 AM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
Gabe1982,
Are you planning on keeping the pots indoors? or do you have an outdoor space where the plants can get some sun?

Buying herb plants from the grocery store may not be the idea place to purchase a plant you want to grow on. Check out your local nursery for small herb plants. Don't know where you live so I can't say what time of year is best to find the plants for sale.

Once you buy the plants you can begin to take cuttings from many (but not all) types of herb plants; root the cuttings to make more plants for free.

One thing I leaned is to not plant Parsley too deeply or the crown will rot.
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Aug 9, 2015 8:25 AM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Gabe, all of those herbs should grow well for you in pots; you can start from seed, using smaller pots to plant the seeds in (I'd start each type separately as the germination times will vary (parsley in particular takes quite a while to sprout), then you can move them up to larger pots when they get a few inches tall (try to plant them at the same level in the new pot as they were originally growing -- in other words, don't bury them more deeply). Use any kind of regular potting soil that you want -- I use Miracle Grow for everything from seed starting to potted plants, but there are lots of different brands that would all work fine. Herbs don't need a great deal of fertilizer, so if you use a potting mix that already has fertilizer in it you won't have to add more for quite some time. Best to use pots with drainage holes, which will help prevent overwatering; in my experience they tolerate being too dry better than being overwatered.

These are some herbs that I started from seed earlier this year and then put into this flower box on my deck railing -- marjoram, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme; my plan is to bring them in when the weather gets cold and put them under a fluorescent light for the winter (but I'm not sure how well that's going to work out...) Smiling

Thumb of 2015-08-09/Weedwhacker/ec34c8
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
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Aug 9, 2015 8:38 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Sandy, Rosemary here is an evergreen perennial here. My wife uses Rosemary frequently and the bush that she takes her tip-cuttings from is 7' tall and 4' wide. I have to keep it trimmed to keep it that size. Sticking tongue out
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Aug 9, 2015 12:26 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Ken -- 7 feet tall !! Holy moly, I've seen some pretty big rosemary plants, but nothing like that... do you know what variety it is? Unfortunately not hardy for me, but I do have 2 plants that I've managed to overwinter in a south-facing window for the past 3 (or 4 maybe, I've lost track) years -- they're each about a foot tall Hilarious!

I can really grow chives, though! Big Grin
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Aug 9, 2015 12:47 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Yep, chives are like weeds for me. I pulled up dozens just yesterday that self-seeded in the mulch under a 24" tray of them.

Sandy, I don't have a clue what specific variety my Rosemary is. Heck, I did not even know that there was more than one variety. *Blush* It is kind of pretty when it flowers, and for me, it flowers in the fall and again in the spring.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Aug 9, 2015 3:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Barcelona, Spain
greene said:
Once you buy the plants you can begin to take cuttings from many (but not all) types of herb plants; root the cuttings to make more plants for free.


Hi there,

Explain the "root the cuttings to make more plants for free" part please. does it mean I can reproduce them using a certain method?

By the way...is there a general root how to cut parts of without killing them?
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Aug 9, 2015 4:05 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
Still don't know your location; knowing where you are we could give more specific answers. Also, are you growing indoors or outside?

As for getting plants for free by taking cuttings, use a Google Search with the key words 'Forsythe Pot' and you'll see my favorite method for propagating plants. Other folks have their favorite methods for getting cuttings to root.

For your question: ".is there a general root how to cut parts of without killing them?"
Not sure if you are asking if cutting parts off will kill the 'mother' plant or will kill the cuttings, so I'll answer both ways...

If you wait until the 'mother' plant has made sufficient growth, you can safely take one or two cuttings. As a matter of fact, for many herbs pinching/taking cuttings will encourage a bushier growth which is a good thing.

As far as killing the cuttings is concerned, there is no guarantee that every cutting will successfully root. In some cases you have 100% success; sometimes as low as 10% success, but you will not know unless you try.
Good luck. :thumbsup:

Not an herb, but for example of how many plants you can get for free:
I purchased one Alternanthera plant $3 US, and (using the Forsythe Pot method) successfully rooted more than 90 cuttings from that single plant.
Thumb of 2015-08-09/greene/a47ebc Thumb of 2015-08-09/greene/d070fb

Shrug! Oh, and just in case anyone is wondering. I don't automatically assume that all members of ATP live in the US. Since the Forsythe Pot method relies on the use of Vermiculite, which may not be available in all countries, it's good to know the location of the person asking the question as maybe I could give an alternate answer. Thank You!
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Aug 9, 2015 4:34 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I think Gabe said in another thread that he's in Ohio -- unless I'm thinking of someone else?

Gabe, if you go to your "profile page" by clicking on the icon that looks something like a person, on the left side just under the banner, and then go to "manage my public profile," you can enter your location and it will show up on the top right-hand side of your posts; you can also put your zone in there, which really does help everyone out when it comes to answering questions and just understanding your gardening situation.
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
Aug 9, 2015 6:51 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
Wow, I just checked the other thread. He's in Spain!
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
Image
Aug 9, 2015 7:07 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Rolling on the floor laughing so, not Ohio, then?? Rolling on the floor laughing

There is a Toledo in both places...
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
Aug 9, 2015 7:46 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
Nice try, but he says Barcelona. Oh, which also means there may be a time-lag as the sun sets in Spain way earlier than here.
9:45 pm here is 3:45 am there so we best be patient for answers. Thumbs up
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Aug 9, 2015 8:13 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
I will let y'all figure all this out. It is too late for me - past my bedtime. Sighing!
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Aug 16, 2015 9:53 PM CST
Name: Elfrieda
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida (Zone 10a)
Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Hibiscus Master Gardener: Florida Roses
Salvias Sedums Sempervivums Enjoys or suffers hot summers Ferns Dragonflies
Ken, if you tree mail your address I'll send a SAE for some chive seeds. Thank You!
“I was just sittin’ here enjoyin’ the company. Plants got a lot to say, if you take the time to listen”
Eeyore
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Aug 17, 2015 6:08 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
I will be glad to do so, Elfrieda. Go to my website and the full address is there.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Aug 26, 2015 9:11 PM CST
Name: Elfrieda
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida (Zone 10a)
Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Hibiscus Master Gardener: Florida Roses
Salvias Sedums Sempervivums Enjoys or suffers hot summers Ferns Dragonflies
Thanks Ken (haven't been on ATP for a while; taking care of friends' gardens while they're away; next door neighbor's chickens and trying to keep up with my own chores in this awful heat). I'll send a SAE tomorrow for some chive seeds. Thank You!
“I was just sittin’ here enjoyin’ the company. Plants got a lot to say, if you take the time to listen”
Eeyore
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