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Posted by doncat (U11203674) on Sunday, 26th June 2011
Two weeks ago I planted several herbs and noticed tonight that some have developed flower heads (marjoram, basil, Greek oregano). Should I remove the flower heads or leave them be? They otherwise all look very healthy.
Thanks...
In my experience basil leaves start to taste bitter once it has flowered. You can pull them off a few times, but the best bet is to sow some more - it should romp aaway in this hot weather. I'm not sure what Greek oregano is but my normal oregano doesn't suffer from flowering. And my marjoram has never flowered so I can't comment!
As above, basil that is flowering is bolting and at the end of its useful life. Successive planting to keep new plants coming along is the key. In general, though, herbs allowed to flower tend to put their energy into flowering rather than developing themselves. I usually make it a rule to remove the flowers. Some herb flowers are both edible and delicious - chives, for example.
I let my perennial herbs flower. The bees love them, and they look nice too.
I let my perennial herbs flower. The bees love them, and they look nice too.Â
vodkarose, i do exactly the same and the bees do love the flowers
I would never take the flowers off. My sage flowers are already out, with my marjoram nearly there. My oregano and wild marjoram are last to flower so the bees will have a field day.
I've got a wall of lavender a couple of yards away from the herbs so the bees are very well catered for. I also have two varieties of sage - one flowers, one doesn't. I thought all sage flowered. Silly me.
I thought all sage flowered too.
I can't comment on the herbs you've grown, basil never gets to flowering stage with me, I let chives flower though then cut them right back and let corriander go to seed because I love the smell when picking the seed heads.
Thanks for the replies. I have more basil on the way already and shall let the others flower their socks off.
Shall also remember to cut the chives back a bit harder after flowering; absolutely loved the chive flowers this spring.
Just re-read the thread and now not so sure after reading Italophile's reply. They're really young plants so may be best for them to concentrate on growing good roots than flowers.
Then they have indeed bolted. It's best to sow basil every couple of weeks, even if you don't need to, as insurance. I sow little and often from this time of year through to the end of summer.
To those who've mentioned chives - yes I too have to cut mine back after flowering, otherwise they go "rusty". I wonder why that is? This year, mine have been cut back and are now putting on a second flush. I can't recall that having happened before.
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Tuesday, 28th June 2011
With my marjoram and oregano I let them flower for the bees and once they are turning to seed I cut the flower shoots off and tie them in bunches for drying. They crumble nicely onto pizzas etc.
Bogus - thanks for a really good idea. I love homemade pizza.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Wednesday, 29th June 2011
My pleasure.
The bunches usually get covered in dust and spider webs but if you turn a blind eye the flavour is not diminished.
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