Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 04:02 pm
Watering is a crucial issue when growing your oregano. It is most important to know the right amount or quantity of water that is best suitable for your oregano.
Is my oregano getting the right amount of water? Will too much watering kill my oregano? Why is my oregano dying even after watering? All these are questions we ask ourselves when our oregano isn’t giving us that comprehensive, beautiful plant we desire.
How Much Water Does Oregano Need?
Oregano only needs as much water to leave its soil moist. Therefore, you should consider watering your plant to leave the top 5 inches slightly wet when watering oregano. Because oregano does not need a consumable amount of water, it is not advised to water oregano in the rainy season.
Does Oregano Like Lots Of Water?
Oregano does not need a lot of watering. Pouring much water on your oregano plant without proper draining will only amount to a root rot-prone plant. Water only when the soil your oregano is planted in feels dry.
Oregano is not well acquainted with overwatering.
Therefore if you want to water your plant, leave it moist enough for healthy growth. Notwithstanding, growing oregano means thorough watering but less frequently.
If your oregano is planted in containers, you want to ensure no water residue is left in the container, which implies that thoroughly draining is beyond mandatory.
You want to ensure you’re not planting oregano in swampy areas, in seasons where the rainfall is tense, or even in high humid temperatures.
Too much water in these scenarios is bad for your oregano. But, on the other hand, your oregano will grow well in partially dry soil.
How Much Water Should I Give My Oregano?
There is no specific amount of water you should give to your oregano plant. Timing and keen observation are what are more paramount in this case.
When watering your oregano, what you should consider is when you last watered your oregano and if the soil your oregano is planted on is dry.
If, from your observation, your oregano is dry, then water thoroughly leaving it when it gives you a moist feeling. Again, water at intervals to discourage overwatering.
You might be wondering how to water thoroughly when it is best not to overwater. You don’t have to be confused. Before watering, massage the soil to feel its texture.
If it feels too dry, then you can go ahead and water it. Then, feel the ground again to make sure it is moist.
What Does Overwatered Oregano Look Like?
- Receding growth.
- The color of leaves turns black or yellow.
- Soft roots and stems result in breakage.
- Mildew substances appear on the leaves.
- The leaves begin to fall off.
- Presence of edema.
1. Receding Growth
Oregano cuts back a great deal when it is overwatered. Instead of frequent watering, which might lead to this, monitor your plant and look out for the slightest greenlight that it needs watering.
2. Color Of Leaves Turn To Black Or Yellow
This situation is influenced mainly by a fungal infection which in turn is triggered by overwatering.
In addition, Fungi are usually present in damp soil, And this accounts for the change in color of your oregano leaves.
Furthermore, if oregano roots fail to find expression easily and cannot spread as they should, this might change the leaves’ color.
In addition, dominating nitrogen available in the soil can escalate to black or yellow leaves as time goes on. Excess nitrogen is usually caused by the frequent use of fertilizers on the soil.
It is best to regulate the soil for a better condition for oregano to grow, and applying horticulture will go a long way to assist growth.
3. Presence Of Edema
Edema is your plant leaves swelling as a result of excess water. When the water present in the soil is more than it can do, edema will show signs like imprints, bruises, or swelling on the leaves.
Generosity to your oregano is necessary but does your plant need all that excess love?
You’ve identified the symptoms of overwatering; what then is next? Troubleshooting overwatering is the next step.
You want to have your oregano back on its feet, and being the beautiful plant, it was meant to be, below are ways to have your oregano back to life.
- Having stressed the importance of draining your soil correctly if you have planted your oregano in a container or pot, it is evident that this is the first step to prevention and having your wilted or infected oregano up and running.
If planted directly on the soil, ensure to avoid over watering.
1. You can also apply the method of gently and carefully removing the plant from its roots, observing it closely while looking out for soft parts or places that have gone brown, then cutting it off.
2. Pruning your oregano by removing leaves that have shown signs of infection or have been infected already before they go on to affect the healthy leaves.
3. Turn your back on gathering the leaves you have removed close to the plants. Make sure you take them far away from the healthy plants as they may grow in a pile and become a host to other diseases that can affect your oregano.
4. It goes beyond essential to transfer your oregano to new pots with improved drainage allowance to assist quicker and more healthy growth.
5. Sunlight is essential in growing your oregano. Sunlight not only aids the drainage process but gives your plant the required nutrients it needs to survive and blossom.
Oregano has a good relationship with sunlight as its native environment is one of sunlight.
Recreating its immediate environment (Mediterranean) will make for a comfortable plant. Place your plant in a place where it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight.
- Regularly add sand to the soil in the pot as this assists in drainage of water, help the soil in the pot, and helps oregano get acquainted with growing in pots as its natural habitat.
Place your pot a little above the ground, so it does not collect backwater that has been drained from it.
1. Trimming your plant back to about 5 inches will assist in the growth of your oregano.
2. You don’t plant oregano in just any type of pot. Instead, it would be best to plant oregano in large pots, which will serve as a shield against harsh weather conditions.
3. Once you detect symptoms of overwatering, you should take a break from watering the soil until it’s completely drained and dry to the touch.
Then you can go back to watering the plant but make sure to take breaks while watering.
After you water, wait for a while before you water again, allowing the plant to receive air to aid it dry properly.
Conclusion
Oregano does not need a lot of effort to grow. With the proper application of growing tips, you will be proud of your output.
But if you have made mistakes with your oregano, don’t panic. With the knowledge above, you can be sure to handle the problem of overwatering.