i bought this plant(origanum-purple maiden) through a mail order company. and its first growth after it got here was fine, and leafy-- but since its started to be really leggy with tiny little leaves, but mostly stem. i know that this can happen to some plants when they dont get enough light-- but i've had this one under a lamp about 6 hours a day. is there something i dont know about these that causes this to happen? thanks!
not enough light and/or wind.
plant it outside or pinch it back.
i agree with deeproots, pinch it back and plant outside. all my oregeno is in the ground and it grows best in our texas winters than the summers.
hm interesting--thank you!
You may never have to buy oregano again ! hehe :)
Whenever I notice mine (in the garden) becoming leggy, sometimes because other plants are shading it too much, I ruthlessly pinch it back, put those shoots into water to root, and soon I have more ! Once those shoots get a good start in soil, keep it pinched back, as well. If I keep close watch on mine, I can harvest leaves and stems before they get too tiny and stretched, but sometimes I forget. I've discovered that oregano is a GREAT draw for ladybugs, too. That was a delightful surprise, but now I make sure to keep plenty of it in my garden.
Good luck, Pambi
I'm so sad! I was home(gone from my apt in Lubbock) for 3 weeks over the holidays, and mr. leggy oregano couldn't fit in my car. And now he's DEAD! And so is my echinacea, which I thought was supposed to be drought tolerant. Maybe when it gets warmer, I could get one of those rooted cuttings Pambi :)
Cut that oregano way back (almost to the ground) water and wait... Don't count it out as dead...it just may come back with a little tlc
Good luck!
thank you for the advice! i wasn't sure if i could revive it after it died from dehydration. but, i will try.
