ok.. i've had this same thymus vulgaris for like 3-4 years
it's just a common thyme...nothing special about it at all, really
but lately, i've noticed that every now and then.. a few variegated leaves are appearing on it
what's up with this? lol
it makes me think that it would be trying to revert to being variegated.. except, it's the other way around, normally.. variegated plants revert to being standard... and is there a variegated thymus vulgaris, anyway?
or do i just have some strange fluke type thing happening here?
the plant is in full sun, so it's not deprived of light, and losing color because of that, i wouldnt think.. it's been in the same spot it's whole life, and i've never noticed this before....
Kim
kind of variegated thyme?
You Thyme is showing varigation sporting (which is how you get a varigated strain). Your plant has the genes in it's make up for the variegated leaves. You can take cuttings from the variegated shoots and will probably get an almost fully variegated plant from each.
would that be a good thing?
and how does one successfully take a thyme cutting and make it grow? i've had no success in doing such as of yet..
Kim
Is it a good thing? It depends if you want a variegated Thyme :)
Take the cuttings in summer (not during the hottest part) from a stem that isn't flowering. Use sharp, clean scissors or knife and cut it to about 2-3 inches long, make the cut at an angle (this is so there is more surface area to make contact with the soil). Place the cutting in a very well drained potting medium, sand is good or a mix of potting soil and sand or gravel. Keep them moist but not wet and they should root within 4 weeks.
You could also layer the part of the plant you want to propagate by simply pegging the stem (still attached to the plant) into the soil in spring. By autumn it will have grown roots and you can remove it from the main plant.