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Denninmi

(6,581 posts)
Fri Jun 1, 2012, 03:53 PM Jun 2012

Cuban Thyme/Cuban Oregano. The will to live is strong.

Last year, I bought one of these, and at the end of the season, I just didn't want to try to winter it over, not enough space in the house and they're cheap.

So, I cut it off at the soil line, and hung the entire thing to dry for cooking.

Which was a mistake. Being so succulent, it didn't dry. It sat there and slowly grew new growth from the terminal ends, and slowly shriveled a bit as it used stored water from its tissue.

Finally, I felt sorry enough for it that I took a couple of cuttings and threw them in water. One grew roots, the rest rotted. I'm going to plant the new one out this weekend.

The rest, to dry it, I had to finally strip the leaves and put on a cookie sheet in a 170 degree oven for about 6 hours. I've been using that all winter to cook with, wonderful flavor.

If you haven't tried this herb, give it a whirl. It's fun and easy to grow, and a good ornamental in combo planters for the summer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plectranthus_amboinicus

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Cuban Thyme/Cuban Oregano. The will to live is strong. (Original Post) Denninmi Jun 2012 OP
Now that's tough. I have grown Mexican Oregano which is really good in Texas. Blooms all summer. northoftheborder Jun 2012 #1
Any oregano... Ruby Reason Jun 2012 #2
I have an orgeano plant going on its fourth year in a small pot. It overwinters beac Jun 2012 #3
Haven't heard of it before. I am growing Cuban Basil this year-- billed as a beac Jun 2012 #4
The Cuban Oregano is actually a Plectranthus Denninmi Jun 2012 #5

Ruby Reason

(242 posts)
2. Any oregano...
Fri Jun 1, 2012, 09:20 PM
Jun 2012

wow, it just grows and grows and grows. I have regular oregano and "spicy" oregano. I keep giving it away. I clip it, hang it, dry it, use it fresh. It still stands many inches above its "this is a ground creeping vine" description. Buried amongst other herbs it reaches taller.

I hack it, throw it into the compost, hack it some more, trade it for eggs, hack it and toss it into the crock pot, hack it....you get the idea.

Love the flavor, but it is hardy and keeps you on your toes.

beac

(9,992 posts)
3. I have an orgeano plant going on its fourth year in a small pot. It overwinters
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 09:03 AM
Jun 2012

outside without fuss and comes back hearty every Spring. Amazing little plant.

beac

(9,992 posts)
4. Haven't heard of it before. I am growing Cuban Basil this year-- billed as a
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 09:08 AM
Jun 2012

"tender perennial" so it will come inside for the winter. It's a little spicier than regular basil with much smaller leaves. So far, it's a winner.

Denninmi

(6,581 posts)
5. The Cuban Oregano is actually a Plectranthus
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 11:38 AM
Jun 2012

One of the "creeping charlies" and related pretty closely to Coleus.

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