This guy spent the morning on my oregano...it co-operated nicely and I got some great shots.
For anyone wanting to attract a large, diverse group of insects, oregano is cheap, spreads like wildfire and the only thing tht seems to kill it is Roundup. It has a long bloom season and nothing seems to eat it...they just love the flowers.
Side view. The scales came out really clear in this one.
One more.
fantastic pics Melody
Nice! I don't have oregano but I am interested in anything that butterflies love!
Great pic, Melody--
And thanks for the tip about Oregano. I'll have to get some right away!
Melody, those are super pictures! I was going to put in some oregano next year. So...appreciate the tip, but I'm sure most of the credit goes to the photographer.
gram
Oregano must be like crack cocaine for bugs...they love the blooms...nothing else...just the blooms. It has an extremely long bloom period, and at any time, there's 15-20 species of insects feverishly attacking the blossoms. Bees love it, lightning bugs, wasps, bumblebees,tons of butterfiles, hoverflies and even several species of flies. Mine has been blooming since late April and as you can see, it's past it's peak, but has a few more weeks of blooming.
Anyone who gardens for insects should have a patch of this stuff. It's also nice because you can harvest it just before blooming and dry it for kitcen use. It also stays green pretty much all winter here in south west KY.
Melody,
Do you plant it in a container or in the ground? If you plant it in the ground, what kind of soil are you growing it in? What kind of plant spread are you getting? I'm thinking about getting some next year for the Butterflies.
Thanks!
Marilyn
This message was edited Jul 16, 2006 9:01 PM
Strangely, my oregano rarely blooms. Maybe the cooler climate where you are encourages it more.
It's in the ground. I started with one little plant about 10 years ago and now I use Roundup to keep it contained in about a 5' spread. It's in basic dirt...no amendments whatsoever...and does not get any. It's in my 'Grow or Die' bed...no special attention.
We're pretty hot and humid here too...pretty much the same all summer as the rest of the South...been in the mid 90's all week with heat index over 100....we just get cooler in the winter than TX...snow on occasion, but ice mostly.
Mine is basic Greek Oregano and has never failed to bloom. Absolutely without a doubt the best bug magnet around..
Wow, now I'm really sold on it! Maybe I can get a little start of some at a swap we are having soon.
Fantastic photos . . . since I've discovered this section . . . my paint brushes are starting to twitch again . . . lol :D
I've always enjoyed painting wildlife, but I've never tried to paint any butterflies. Maybe I'll give them a try soon :)
Melody,
Thanks for the growing info. Do you think it will be ok in a 20" or 16" container? I don't want and don't have the space to let it get 5' and don't use chemicals in garden (just organic).
Where are you in KY? I thought the whole state was zone 6 and not zone 7 in sections. I'm in the top northern section just below Cincinnati, OH.
Marilyn
I'm in extreme south west KY..about 20 miles from the TN line...and we're on the 6b/7a line...but I'm higher than some of the surrounding counties, thus a bit warmer.
Yes, oregano will grow in pots...it will grow in the cracks in pavement..lt would probably grow in a garbage bag. It's pretty much foolproof.
Here's a lightning bug that was enjoying him/her self...they swarm the stuff.
Thanks! I'll just have to grow some Greek Oregano next year. Do you think it will do in a 16" pot or should I grow it in 20" (all plastic for both). Since you say it spreads, I'm just wondering.
Never thought of growing it before for the butterflies. Great idea!
Marilyn
Depends on how much water you want to give it....it loves full sun and will drink alot. A 20" pot may give you a bit of a breather when it comes to water.
Here's a honeybee getting ready for a snack..
Melody, could I make a request, please? Would you mind starting me a nice sized pot of oregano and I will get it from you at the KYRU? I don't know how I have failed to start such a fail proof plant!
Thanks for all the info Melody! You got me hooked on it! Yes, I think it will be much better in the larger pot.
Marilyn
Hmmm...good idea Ellen...Duh!....Who wants oregano???? I need to thin this patch back a bit. I'll start some for anyone who wants some for postage...and will have a big pot for Ellen at the Roundup.
Great information, Melody! Thank you for sharing about the oregano. I shall plan on adding it to the butterfly garden next spring because I don't know if I could find any plants started right now. I'd be thrilled to try to draw in some lightning bugs. We only see very few here (read as two or three bugs) every year in early June, then I guess they go into hiding the rest of the summer.
BTW, lovely pics too.
That's what got me excited too, the lightning bugs! I've only seen a few in the last few years and I've been ecstatic when I did! When I do I run and get my son to make sure he enjoys it with me. It's sad that it's so rare and unusual now.
Thank you, Melody. I will be delighted to get it this fall.
We have a great number of lightning bugs every year. Maybe it's because there's a supply of plants that they like. you can see them in the fields and all over..still got a few, but their main season is from May through June.
I'll divide some of this off for anyone who wants some...it's a proven bug magnet...they like this particular flavor alot.
