Growing Herbs Indoors
If you want to be growing herbs indoors, you must first collect them. You can
pick up stems in the country if you can recognize the plants you want, or
purchase the seeds. Look at the conditions your plant needs, indoors you tend to
over water plants. Most herbs need water but water should seep through easily
and quickly. This won't be a problem as pots have holes at the bottom to prevent
the plant from drowning in much water. Sage for example needs little water.
The preparation of the soil is the most important part in the growing of
herbs indoors, this is what the plant will feed on and which will provide it's
growth. A very common mistake is to provide a very rich soil in the pot plants
and then complain that the plants are dying. That is, if they manage to grow at
all. When you have in your hands the mixture of the soil, it's hard to resist
making it the best you can, sometimes adding chemical fertilizers seem so easy,
but avoid such decision. Most herbs will do much better in a poor soil that in
enriched earth. Leave soil loose to let the roots breath, is you can get some
lime, herbs grow very well with soil that is filled with it. You can even put
sand mixed with the soil and get good results.
The seeds should be placed half an inch deep in the proper season. Some
plants will grow and will not blossom until they reach their second year, like
parsley. Others, like anise and basil will live for only one season. Close the
pot with a plastic bag to keep the proper conditions for the young plant to
sprout. This will happen usually within two to tree weeks, don't let mold form
in the plastic bags. The time when they are most delicate is when the first
leaves are emerging, here, a sudden drop on temperature, and sometimes even a
sudden rise will kill the herb. The moisture should not be too much, and also
excess sunlight will be harmful. When growing herbs indoors you should separate
the sun plants from the ones that need shade, mark each pot with name and date.
The ones that need sun should be placed near a large window. If yours don't
blossom at the specified time, check the specific cycle of your herb, some are
slow growers.
After they have grown an inch high, you can remove the plastic covers and
place them where you please throughout the house, you will notice that soft
music will stimulate their growth.
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