Oregano Seedlings Dying
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Nancy
Posted on: March 28, 2002

I’ve tried to grow oregano from seed a few times but I can’t seem to get it to grow. I get it past the germination stage but then it dies off and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. What type of conditions does it need to grow?

Oregano is native in the Mediterranean and therefore likes sandy soil with excellent drainage, but with a deeply lodged water supply. It therefore may be rather susceptible to damping off, since it does not have to worry about this fungus in its native habitat. I would suggest that you give the seedlings plenty of light, water from below and never have them soggy wet. Strong light will result in sturdier stems.

Also, make sure you have fewer fungi in your soil to start with by using very clean pots, sterilizing the damp soil at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for one hour - before use. Also keep those seedlings away from other plants, because their soil might contain fungi that harm tender seedlings, but not tough mature plants.

If all fails, it might work best if you seed out of doors into the worked garden soil as soon in the spring as you can get into the soil. Healthy outdoor soil has a good mix of fungi that stop each other from taking over. You will get better survival.

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