Sprouting up all over!!!

[Semele]

Well, our first attempts have been very successful... so far. We got one of the little dome boxes by Jiffy or something like that. Anyway it has the little disks that grow when you add water and then you plant your seeds and cover it and wait. We did two rows each of cilantro, sweet basil, lemon basil, marjoram, dill, and thyme. I am happy to say they are all growing. i must admit I was amazed they came up. Our son helped and the ones he did are especially healthy looking. I think he may be the green thumb of the family!!

Anyway, on to my questions, enough of the bragging!!! Now what do i do?????? I know we should plant them in a larger pot and give them sunlight. But can I put all the little plants of the same herb in one pot? There are 12 of each kind. We planted 3 seeds in each little "pot" and it said to save the most healthy looking sprout and pinch back the other two. i just can't bring myself to do this... do I have to? They all look so great. Help... the very lives of my herbs are in your hands. Don't let us down!!! LOL!!!

Semele

[Yvonne Belisle]

Why not do three large pots? You can get large rounded pots ant divide them with balsa wood if you want for a decorative look. Or just get some popsicle sticks so you know which is which (herb and pot) It would give each of you practice with the herbs and by placing them in different areas you could learn where the best spots for them are. It might be fun then in the summer one or two pots can be moved out side and the other could be the house herbs. Cuttings can often be made later and given as gifts.

[Semele]

That sounds good. I just wasn't sure if you could mix different herbs together...you know they might get into a fight or even worse fall in love and mutate into some new exptic herb that the world isn't ready for yet!!! Anyway now I have another problem... What kind of soil do I use to repot them. The soil we used to grow the seeds was soilless mix???? I am hoping I don't have to use that for the new plants because its expensive!

HEllllllllPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Semele

[belladonna23]

You should be able to use sterile potting soil mixed with a little sand if you like. Make sure to add the gravel to the bottom inch of the pot for drainage.
I'm so glad your plants are healthy and abundant. Growing your own herbs is so much fun!!
I have never tried soilless mix, so I wouldn't think it necessary for you to continue to use it if you don't want to. Potting soil is a lot less expensive.

[belladonna23]

Ooooohhhhh!!
I forgot something. If you plan on moving your plants outside (you know you can either transplant them or leave them in the pots), it is really important to "harden off". Hardening off means placing the plants in warm shade during the day (move them inside at night if there is a chance of frost) so they can become acclimated to outdoor conditions without allowing direct sunlight to burn their fragile little leaves.

[Semele]

Thanks for all the tips. I guess we will try to repot them tomorrow night. I have to work tonight and I don't want Mol to do it alone!!! Also the little pots we planted them in have netting over the soil.. should I remove that?? Sorry but I am clueless when it comes to this stuff.

Semele

[Niamh]

You can remove the netting.
I like to start many different herbs in one pot and then transplant them into thier own as they get bigger. One year I had a huge pot with basil and oregano in it, and I couldn't harvest the stuff fast enough.
You really don't have to pinch them back if you don't want to. I do it to many of mine and they come out fine. Usually what happens is a healthier sprout will come back. THis is on the same plant...
Best of luck!:)

[Celestite]

I know how you feel, I can't bring myself to prick out the seedlings so I end up buying as many pots as it needs so they can all live (a bit sappy I know)

However, and I might get shot for this, the best fertiliser I have ever found is the blood from your moon time. Just use the soaks and water the plants - I swear it doesn't smell, just full of nutrients, plus what better way to return something to the Mother?

My houseplants are thriving, having had no "special" watering last year whilst I was pregnant!

[Yvonne Belisle]

soaks? Please clarify for me I don't get it.

[folkwitch]

Unless you just want some pretty plants, you'll need a lot more cilantro that THAT! I plant it about every three weeks to have a constant supply. It's a staple in my kitchen for salsa.

[mol]

Originally posted by folkwitch
Unless you just want some pretty plants, you'll need a lot more cilantro that THAT! I plant it about every three weeks to have a constant supply. It's a staple in my kitchen for salsa.

Thats what our main use for it will be as well! Got to love that Salsa!

We just wanted to experiment with it at first, which is the reason for not planting so much.

[Laiste]

Hi All,

a few weeks ago I planted several herbs. They have all started to sprout except the lavender...does anyone know how long it takes to sprout.

Blessed Be
Laiste

[mol]

Our first endeavor...

Flopped. Ech.

We had a case of mold and it killed off the herbs pretty fast. So, back to the front again. Start all over.