Since time immemorial, marjoram has been consumed by humans as an aromatic seasoning, making dishes more appetizing and healthy. This plant also has healing properties, bringing the nervous system of an overexcited person into a state of balance. Therefore, gardeners constantly grow marjoram from seeds on their plots.
Description of marjoram
Garden marjoram, or Origanum majorana, is a perennial in the places where it grows, but for industrial purposes it is cultivated as an annual plant. Marjoram grows as a bush, the branches of which reach 30-50 cm in length. The leaves on the branches are small, only 1-2 cm in diameter, and are oval in shape. The flowers of the plant are fleecy, resembling felt.
They form a small bunch and have an elongated, spatulate shape. Marjoram fruits are small, round, monocotyledonous “peas”. The Mediterranean and Asia Minor regions are considered to be the place where marjoram grows. But today this crop is grown far beyond its historical homeland.
Most scientists recognize marjoram as being close to a plant such as oregano (oregano). Due to the slight similarity, some confusion arises. Nevertheless, the grayish green leaves of marjoram have a much subtler and sweeter flavor bouquet than that of oregano.
What types and varieties are there?
Currently, only two types of marjoram are grown on a regular basis in the agricultural sector: multi-leaf and floral. The multileaf species is a bush with a large number of densely leafy stems. The flower species, on the contrary, is an underdeveloped shoot with a large number of inflorescences.
Gardeners most often use marjoram. This species is distinguished by reddish streaks on the stems and silver-green leaves.
In addition, the following species are also cultivated:
- Gourmand. It is considered the most productive species. The bush is more than half a meter high. A good harvest can be harvested in 120 days.
- Thermos. The stems are about forty centimeters high, distinguished by their silver color and small leaves.
- Crete.A low bush with velvety bluish leaves. We especially love it for its lemon aroma.
- Baikal. The height of an adult plant is 50 centimeters. Produces white buds and small smooth leaf blades.
- Tushinsky Semko. The plant is not very branchy. The trunk has silvery pubescence and is woody underneath. The leaf blades are oblong, with jagged edges.
- Thermos. Stems are straight, silvery. The leaves are small, pubescent. Blooms in small inflorescences.
- Scandi. It is distinguished by small, smooth, but very fragrant leaves. White flowers are not abundant.
It is advisable to plant marjoram in that part of the garden that is not shaded by trees or building walls, and is fully illuminated and heated by the sun in the morning, lunchtime and evening. In areas with great shade, the plant will not receive proper development - there will be a loss of green mass of foliage and, as a result, a lack of formation of volatile compounds, which are the basis of the aroma and taste characteristics of marjoram.
It is preferable to plant marjoram in well-loosened soil, with the addition of lime fluff. Soils with an admixture of sandy loam and clay are suitable, because soil with such a composition is subject to faster heating by the sun's rays.
Note! Marjoram takes root well in areas previously occupied by potato planting.
Growing marjoram from seeds
It is not easy to grow this fragrant plant on your own plot, because in our climate the plant needs to be created comfortable. And to do this, you need to scrupulously familiarize yourself with the agrotechnical methods of growing marjoram and follow them exactly.
Few people know that it is allowed to grow marjoram not only in open ground, but also at home. And it’s not difficult to do this. The bushes grow small, but no less fragrant.Caring for them is the same as for all indoor plants.
Features of planting marjoram
Young shoots, or seedlings, should be planted in well-moistened soil, flavored with organic matter. Take the sprout, keeping the soil near the root, and plant it in the hole. Next, sprinkle with soil and carry out compacting watering from a watering can at the root.
Plants are planted in open ground within 15-20 cm of each other. The recommended distance between rows is 50 cm. Rooting of seedlings lasts for a 2- to 3-week period.
Time for sowing seeds
It is possible to grow marjoram from seeds in open ground only in the south of the country. In all other regions, it is recommended to pre-grow seedlings. To do this, in April, the grains are placed in a special substrate in small containers (you can use plastic cups, after making holes in them). Water a little and cover with film.
After three weeks, shoots will appear. The film is removed, and the sprouts, after a pair of true leaves appear, are carefully plucked. They do this in May.
Soil preparation
A prerequisite for soil preparation is loosening and adding organic matter twice a day. For this purpose, rotted manure and compost material are used, to which mineral fertilizers, urea and potassium sulfate are added, 20 grams each and 30-40 grams of superphosphate.
Rules for caring for marjoram
In order for a plant to please with abundance and quality, it is necessary to create good conditions for it.
The main rules for obtaining a stable harvest are:
- regular loosening of the soil around seedlings and row spacing;
- destruction of weeds;
- systematic soil moisture;
- Mandatory systemic feeding of seedlings is carried out after their rooting, approximately on the 20th day.
Caring for this plant should begin at the seedling stage. The seedlings are watered as needed, and the soil is periodically lightly loosened. At least ten days before the intended transplant into open ground, containers with seedlings should be regularly taken outside, gradually increasing their time in the fresh air.
The amount of irrigation at this time will be less.
Top dressing
When preparing a fertilizing solution, you need to dilute 15 grams of ammonium nitrate in a 10-liter bucket of water and use the resulting volume per 1 square meter. m landings. In the future, after a week, you need to carry out a second feeding, using 10 g of urea, 10 g of potassium salt and 20 g of superphosphate.
Treatment
The plant needs to be treated when spots appear on its leaves and the bush itself stops growing. This indicates the presence of a disease such as Alternaria. This disease appears when there is damp weather outside for a long time. It can also develop due to thickening of plantings. The soil under the bushes does not dry out enough and as a result Alternaria appears. You can cope with it using fungicides.
Watering and loosening
Marjoram withstands drought well. After planting, it is recommended to water it regularly. In the future, irrigation should be carried out depending on the need. Regarding loosening, this must be done several times between rows. This will not only improve the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the roots, but will also prevent thickening by weeds.
How to collect and store marjoram?
The collection of ready-to-use raw materials must be carried out in the second half of summer when the flowers are in full bloom.But again, within a large country this period may vary. And in the southern regions, the harvest may already be over by this time, while to the north it can bloom at the end of summer.
When cutting stems, it is better to use an ordinary, sharply sharpened kitchen knife. The stem is cut at a height of 1.5-2 cm from the ground surface. For canned use, the stems are cut off in small sections.
If the raw material is intended for further drying, the entire plot is mowed. Freshly cut stems are placed in well-ventilated areas, allowed to dry for some time, after which they are tied into bunches and placed for further drying in attics, under canopies that create shade.
After final drying, the marjoram bunches are sorted out, the unnecessary is discarded, the rest is crushed and placed in jars, covered with lids, and stored in places with low lighting. The dried raw materials are placed in a tightly closed container, where they retain their nutritional properties for a long time.
