Thyme: planting, care, breeding

A small fragrant grass - thyme, covering dry and stony solar patches of flowering carpet, has long attracted the attention of man. The ancient Egyptians used thyme for ritual purposes.

Ancient scientists (Avicenna, Dioscorides, Theophrastus) wrote about the wonderful properties of thyme (antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial). The Greeks called this plant the "breath of life."

In ancient Rome, it was believed that thyme gave a man strength, masculinity and potency. The Slavs believed that by burning the sprigs of thyme and breathing in smoke, they would be able to meet the gods and the spirits of their ancestors.

Thyme, as it is also called thyme, continues to amaze today - modern scientists state that the disease-causing microbes have not developed resistance to thyme.

Thyme: plant description

Thyme (lat. "Thymus") has many different names: Swan, Bogorodskaya grass, lemon scent, thyme, Chavor, creeping thyme, incense, borage pepper, etc.

Thyme genus unites about 400 species, which are widely represented in Eurasia, America and North Africa. Most of its representatives have similar features:

• undersized perennial shrub (height varies depending on the type and variety from 5 to 35 cm);
• lignified lying (or creeping) stems with adventitious roots, covered with brown bark;
• peduncle branches with villi, grassy and erect;
• rigid leaves are located opposite, color from yellow to dark green;
• the shape and size of the leaves depends on the species (oblong, round, etc);
• small flowers in the inflorescences (basic shades - pink, white, purple, in hybrid varieties more rich colors);
• pleasant spicy (warm) flavor.

Thyme blooms in June and ends in August.

The main types of thyme

Unpretentious plant mastered the space of Eurasia, America, North Africa. The extensive genus Thyme is represented by a large number of species (among them there are those that are difficult to classify even for specialists). Main types:

• thyme ordinary (Thymus vulgaris);
• creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) or thyme;
• lemon-scented thyme (Thymus vulgaris var. citriodora).

Thyme (Thyme) - an attractive culture, and growing and caring for him will not bring any problems.

Common Thyme

The homeland of this species is Spain and southern France (here it is found in the wild and here it was domesticated). It is distinguished by its small dark green leaves (0.5-1 cm) of lanceolate form and light purple flowers. Includes various subspecies. On its basis several varieties were bred (Alba - white, Splendens - maroon, dwarf variety - Elfin, etc.)

Creeping thyme

Homeland species (thyme creeping and thyme are one and the same) - southern Mediterranean. Known more than 2000 years. It has been cultivated since the 16th century. Spread across Europe - from Greece to Sweden, Asia.

The leaves are leathery, their edges are not wrapped (as in thyme). Flowers - purple with a pink tinge. Many varieties with different flower color and variegated leaves have been developed. Differs drought and frost. Great honey plant.

Lemon Smelling Thyme

The area of ​​origin is Southern France. Natural hybrid with pink flowers. Differs in spicy tart aroma of lemon. Young leaves (yellow) green with age.

Thyme lemon is afraid of cold weather, it is necessary to shelter for the winter. Needs regular pruning. A large number of varieties have been developed (Silver Queen - with leaves edging, Golden Duarf, Bertram Anderson - leaves with yellow spots, etc.)

How to plant and grow thyme, planting rules

Thyme does not require special conditions, and this greatly simplifies the cultivation and care of it in garden plots. It is only necessary to observe several conditions and provide the plant:

• the right place to land;
• correct landing times;
• correct watering and feeding.

The choice of location and soil

Thyme loves the sun (in the shade the stalks are pulled out, the bush becomes less frequent, it blooms worse) and light (with good drainage) neutral soils. When selecting a site should take this into account. Place for planting should not be constantly blown by the winds (thyme is afraid of drafts).

When and how to plant thyme

In the garden, thyme seeds are planted in spring and autumn. The best time for planting thyme saplings is spring (when the frosts end). Planting day should be warm and sunny. The landing process includes the following actions:

• dig a hole (its size should be twice the size of a seedling pot);
• Prepare a planting mix - mix earth and sand in equal proportions. Part of the mixture poured into the pit;
• remove the seedling from the pot and straighten the rhizomes;
• plant thyme in the pit (planting depth should be like in a pot);
• pour the remaining mixture into the pit, trample and pour.

For keeping under room conditions, thyme can be propagated by seeds and seedlings at any time of the year. It is better to plant the cutting at the end of summer. It is necessary to pick up a pot so that the roots of a plant could cover a lump of earth.

Thyme Care Rules

Thyme is unpretentious, care is simple, and growing in the garden of thyme is reduced to periodic watering, weeding, loosening the soil.

Features of watering and feeding plants

To properly water, you need to monitor the condition of the soil. Watering should not be abundant (from dampness the plant will begin to hurt). Water is needed more in case of drought, during the growing season and before flowering.

With frequent rains, the soil can be mulched with small pebbles. Periodically, for better aeration of the roots, it is necessary to loosen the soil with a hoe, get rid of weeds. Thyme does not need special dressings.

The soil can be fertilized before planting humus or horn flour (this will be enough for a year). The following year, in early summer, you should feed the liquid mineral fertilizer.

How to do pruning thyme

Regular pruning of thyme will ensure the density of the bush, its compactness.

Pruning is carried out in early spring (pruning frozen, weak, sick shoots) or after flowering (thinning). Before you cut the thyme in the spring, you need to carefully examine the dead shoots - they can still come to life.

The appearance of brown spots on the leaves may indicate a lack of air and light - you need to thin the bush. The shoots are cut to its lignified part (2/3 of the stem) with a sharp shear.

Thyme Breeding Basics

Thyme propagates in two ways - by seed and vegetatively.

Seed method

First of all, it is necessary to free the planting area from all weeds (thyme seeds are very small, it takes a month to germinate, sprouted plants are very weak). The best way out would be the preliminary germination of seeds in the greenhouse:

• From March to early May, seeds are planted (sowing depth - 0.5-1 cm) in a container with a planting substance (a mixture of sand and peat in the same proportion). Before emergence, the container should be closed with a transparent film or glass. Normally (at a temperature of 25-30 ° C) shoots will germinate in a week;
• the first month to maintain a moderate soil moisture, thinning seedlings. After a couple of months, seedlings are already suitable for planting on the site.

Vegetative reproduction

There are two ways of vegetative reproduction of thyme:

1. The division of the bush. For normal growth, thyme bush must be divided once every three years.

   To do this, you need to dig up the plant, shake the soil off the rhizomes, at the base divide it into pieces and untangle the small processes of the roots.

   After that, land. For better rooting, the planted parts of the bush should be covered with a glass jar.

   

2. Cuttings. In this way, small varieties breed better. Shoots cut in spring are rooted in a container of sand.

   The container is covered with a film; cuttings must be periodically refreshed with water from a spray bottle. Rooting occurs on the 15-20 day.

   Disembarkation takes place one month after rooting.