Like so many Mediterranean herbs, thyme needs light to germinate. This means that you must never cover the fine seeds with soil, just press them down.

Choosing the right soil

The chances of plants germinating are all the better if they are sown in the right soil. Above all, make sure that the very fine seeds of the thyme have good contact with the ground. Special seed soil is very fine and therefore meets these requirements. It also stores moisture well and is low in nutrients - this is important because salt in particular can damage seedlings.

sow thyme

  • Fill a seed tray with good quality seed soil.
  • Press the soil down with a piece of wood (a board or similar) to about two centimeters below the top edge of the box.
  • Water them with the help of a spray bottle and let them sit for about half an hour.
  • Scatter the seeds evenly over the soil.
  • Press them down gently with the help of the board.
  • Cover the box with glass or a transparent plastic.
  • The cover must not touch the seeds.
  • Place the box in a warm and bright location.
  • If direct sunlight falls on the crate, provide shade with a fine mesh.

Pay attention to hygiene

The humid conditions in the nursery are just as ideal for the development of fungal diseases as they are for the development of healthy plants. If the seedlings are too dense, what is known as damping-off, which is caused by fungi in the air or in the soil, occurs in particular. Therefore, to reduce this risk, it is important to use sterilized containers and tools. In addition to cleanliness, timely pricking out of the seedlings is important to avoid overcrowding in the planter.

Proper care of seedlings

Seedlings must have adequate breathing space. As soon as shoots are visible, remove the cover of the seed tray. Protect the seedlings from drafts and direct sunlight, but keep them in a light spot. Keep watering them to keep the roots from drying out. Also, seedlings should be thinned out as soon as they become visible. This is also known as pricking. Furthermore, seedlings should be gently acclimated to conditions outside of the sheltered environment of the seed tray. This works best in a cold frame.

tips and tricks

If you mix the fine thyme seeds with the same amount of fine sand before sowing, the seeds will be distributed more evenly.

IJA

Category:

Herbs