Hello, forum. I have recently started drying my herbs when able.
I had a batch of plectranthus amboinicus hanging and recently
laid it out to see how it would fare in the sun. A few of the leaves
have started to brown. Is this normal in the drying process? I
dried another batch in the oven and they turned out dark-green.
What do you think?
~ Regards, Zhan
From what I understand, this does best when it is dried in a warm, dark place.
I see; do you suppose the browning of the leaves is fine? Thanks in advance.
That I do not know for sure.
Anytime I've dried any herbs, Hydrangea flowers or Grasses for the house, larder or cooking,
I have always cut the stems down early morning, tied them into bunches, (NOT large bunches, just maybe 6 - 8 stems per bunch depending on the plant, things like Rosemary or Lavender I would tie up around 8-10 stems, but larger things like Hydrangea or other larger type shrubby plants I would tie these about 4-6 per bunch, The idea is to dry the hanging stems, foliage on the stems and flowers required for spraying for indoor decorations however, the secret is to allow
cool air to circulate around the bunches of cut plants, hung UPSIDE down in a light (NOT bright) cool area like a basement, kitchen, but NOT where there is humidity to cause mould or disease to take hold of the hanging plants, For best results with flowering plants, cut them from the plants when the colour of the flowers is only JUST available but the flowers are still tightly closed, IF picked when the flower buds are open too much, in the drying stage the flowers will wither and drop leaving you stems of bare flowerless blooms.
Depending on what you are drying, it will take anything from a couple of weeks to a month IF thick stems are selected.
There are books and leaflets re drying plants / herbs and storing afterwards, go to library, book store or look here on Dave's Garden site, I'm sure I noticed a thread covering this subject.
Best of luck. WeeNel.
I have also read about drying things in the oven.
If it is a constant pilot, so is slightly warm, then just make sure there is a little air flow.
Electric oven or not a constant pilot light: turn it on lowest, or turn it on to warm the oven then turn it off before adding the herbs.
Laying the plants on a mesh that allows air flow, such as window screen is good.
And they dry quickly and easily in a microwave but some people seem to have an aversion to drying things that way.
Thank you guys; I really appreciate all the input. I may stick to oven
drying with plectranthus amboinicus, but try hanging other herbs. : )
While I have you all here, may I ask another question?
I tend to plant herbs straight into my pots in lines; are
these herbs too close together? Should they be thinned?
Thanks again!
- Zhan
They are too close together to get nice large busy plants as they mature. I would thin them.
Thanks, Cville. I will do a bit of thinning today. : )
I appreciate the advice.
