Oregano

I saw a beautiful oregano plant yesterday and was wondering how easily they are propagated via cuttings. I read something about rooting them in sand, but any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I use perlite or soil less mix but Oregano is easy to root. But many gardeners use sand, but gardeners sand, now sea or playground sand. Good Luck.

Thank you. I think the plant I saw was called Kent Beauty.

I have a varigated oregano. I forgot the actual name, but I propagate mine in water. They will have roots in no time. See my have list for a picture. I grow this as an ornamental and not for cooking.

Peg ~ I looked in your "have" list and found no oregano.

Kent Beauty is one of my favorite plants. They are gorgeous but I have never been able to carry one over the winter. There is another one kind of like it that is also a beautiful plant. Would love to get both. Can't remember where I saw them. Looking thru the spring seed catalogs I remember. Just don't remember which one.

Also, I have never tried to take cuttings of Kent Beauty, I don't think it would be as easy as other Oregano plants. They are a very thin woody stem. Don't know.

Where did you see the plant Echie? Is it possible to get a piece of it? I think you would almost need a piece of the root for this one. Let me check a little.

Found this site where they say it is easy to propagate them and also seeds!! They have the plants, but could not get anything on their seed site. Here is their address.

http://www.pantrygardenherbs.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/herbs.main/show/seedpackets/index.htm

I found this on Gardenweb:


Wow this is such an old post of mine... But I had a few responses so I thought I would post what I found.
Last year, right before a frost, I collected all of the bracts off the plant. I wintersowed them in a milkjug, not worrying about what was chaff or seed. ....
I GOT SEVERAL PLANTS THAT RESEMBLE THE PARENT PLANT!!! WHOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!

Soooooo, LOL, I would say, if you can find that plant to snip a few of the stems that are blooming and dry the bracts then sow them like seeds??? Got nothing to lose. Let us know how you do.

I just was looking through this forum for tips on building a cloner. Anyway, I have rooted 'Kent Beauty' . It is not that hard. However mine are in a greenhouse when rooting. I just use a nice seed soil, take the cuttings, dip in root tone and don't keep to wet. They are slow to start. I also have one other that looks like 'kent Beauty but larger and more hardy. These plants need a free draining soil when in the garden. If they have wet feed they die.
I got it mail order. They have water wise plants. Just can't recall the name. I will look for the cataloge name and the plant name in AM.

Am very curious about the other one also. If you can get the name I would love to have it. Have you tried starting it from the bracts like seed as the woman said in the last post? Very interesting. Thanks for any info.

Jnette, what do you do with this Oregano??????

The other plant is Origanum Libanoticum. You can buy it at High Country Gardens.

It is very lovely and much like Kent beauty. I have it in a large pot and has come back for me several years.

They are beautiful in containers Sharon. I can see where they would come back in Lake Stevens area as they are about a zone 7 or 8. I am Zone 5 or closer to 4. I have tried bringing them in in the winter but they just do not like a dry house. I tried dormancy in a dark basement and they didn't like that either. Might make it if they were to start out in my house and I didn't take it outside in the summer. Just left it in the house?

But, do they need the dormancy? If I were to keep it as a house plant would it work year round like say coleus?

In areas such as yours Sharon, you could probably use them as ground covers? Or as fillers in baskets or containers. In my short season I would want it by itself or with just a few others maybe.

I will have to look thru my books. That might have been where I saw it. If not, I will go to their web site. Thanks.

Jeanette

In my have list, it is listed as varigated cuban oregano. You can propagate it by leaves as well as stem cuttings. The stem cuttings are faster.

Wow. Thanks for the tips. This plant is beautiful here. I have seen it here recently. They still have pink bracts on them right now. There are some green stems too. I'll be asking for a cutting Monday. I saw the plant tag. It is Kent Beauty. I was surprised how beautiful they are in January. They remind me of the color of dried pink Hydrangeas.

Peg, I have a Cuban Oregano. I don't think it is near the same as the ones they are talking about here. Actually it is hard to believe they are both called Oregano, or from the same family.

To describe the Cuban Oregano so you would know what it is, would be like a hairy coleus only light green and white colors. And grows a lot like coleus.

Where did you get your information?

I will try to get a picture of mine and you can tell me if it is what you are looking at.

Ok, this is my Cuban Oregano. Is this the same as you are looking at? These should be easy to start. I have never tried.

Looks similar to variegated sage.

Jnette, you are right. That would be very pretty in a pot or basket.

Jnette, Yes, that is exactly what I have. Are they talking about plain green oregano that is used for seasonings?

I thought I had a catalog from High Country. Will find them on line. Thanks.

Sharon you asked what you do with them. I have the feeling that only the one is for culinary purposes. Don't know why these others are in the Oregano family.

I got Territorial Seed Co. catalog today. They have Kent Beauty plants. No Cuban.

Got mine too. Will look.