HS003 Purple Creeping Thyme Seed (200 seeds/bag)

·     Seeds of Purple Creeping Thyme, with 200 seeds in each pack. The seeds are small and dark brown. Purple Creeping Thyme is a perennial herb. The plant is low - growing, with slender and creeping stems that can quickly spread to form a dense ground - cover layer. Its leaves are small, oval - shaped, opposite, with a fresh green color. Under sufficient sunlight, the edges of the leaves will show a charming purple hue. The flowers are small, light purple or pink - purple, blooming in summer. The flowers grow densely at the top of the stems, forming beautiful flower clusters and emitting a rich and unique aromatic smell. This plant not only has high ornamental value and is often used as a ground - cover plant in garden landscapes to create a romantic and vibrant landscape effect, but also can be used for cooking and seasoning, adding a unique flavor to dishes. At the same time, the volatile aroma has a certain insect - repelling effect, which can bring fresh air to the surrounding environment.

1. Soil preparation: Select loose, fertile, well - drained and slightly alkaline soil. Mix leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand in a ratio of 2:2:1, and then add an appropriate amount of lime powder to adjust the soil pH to about 7.0 - 7.5. Put the mixed soil into a seed - raising pot or planting container. Before filling the soil, lay a layer of broken tiles or ceramsite at the bottom of the container to enhance drainage. Then water it thoroughly to make the soil in a moist but not waterlogged state.

2. Seed treatment: No complicated treatment is required. To improve the germination rate, soak the seeds in warm water for 3 - 4 hours. After soaking, take them out and dry the surface moisture with a paper towel.

3. Sowing operation: Since the seeds are small, mix the seeds evenly with an appropriate amount of fine sand and then evenly sprinkle them on the soil surface. Try to make the seeds evenly distributed to avoid overcrowding. After sowing, gently cover a thin layer of soil about 0.1 - 0.2 cm thick. The thickness should not be too thick to avoid affecting seed germination. Then use a sprayer to gently spray water to make the seeds fully contact the soil.

4. Moisture and light preservation: After sowing, cover a layer of plastic film or plastic wrap on the seed - raising pot or planting container to maintain humidity. Place it in a brightly lit place but avoid direct sunlight. The suitable germination temperature is 18 - 22 degrees Celsius. Open the film for ventilation for 1 - 2 hours every day to prevent the seeds from mildewing due to excessive humidity.

5. Management after emergence: Generally, the seeds begin to emerge about 7 - 10 days after sowing. After emergence, remove the covered film in time and gradually increase the light duration, but avoid direct strong light to prevent burning the seedlings. Keep the soil moist, following the principle of "watering when the soil is dry". That is, when the soil surface is dry, water it, and water thoroughly each time. When the seedlings have 2 - 3 true leaves, thin out the seedlings, remove the weak and over - dense seedlings, and keep the strong seedlings to provide sufficient growth space for them. When the seedlings have 4 - 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted into a larger flowerpot or planting area. Try to transplant with soil clumps to protect the roots of the seedlings.

a. Temperature requirements: The germination of Purple Creeping Thyme seeds and the growth of seedlings are relatively sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is too low, the seeds germinate slowly or do not germinate at all; if the temperature is too high, the seedlings are prone to spindly growth and weakness. When sowing in early spring or late autumn, take heat - preservation measures, such as covering with plastic film; in high - temperature summer, pay attention to shading and cooling to avoid the excessive temperature from affecting seed germination and seedling growth.

b. Light management: This plant needs sufficient light for photosynthesis, but in the initial stage of seed germination and the seedling stage, too strong direct light will damage the seedlings. After emergence, gradually increase the light duration, but in the high - temperature period of summer, especially at noon, appropriate shading is required to avoid direct strong light. As the plant grows, the light intensity can be gradually increased to promote the robust growth of the plant and the spread of creeping stems.

c. Water control: From sowing to emergence, keep the soil moist, but there should be no waterlogging, otherwise the seeds are easy to rot. After emergence, water the plants reasonably according to the dry - wet condition of the soil. Avoid over - watering, which may cause root hypoxia and rot, and also prevent the soil from being too dry, which will affect the growth of the plants. Generally, water when the soil surface is dry 2 - 3 cm, and water thoroughly.

d. Fertilization points: In the initial stage of Purple Creeping Thyme seedling growth, a small amount of thin nitrogen fertilizer can be applied appropriately to promote the growth of the plant's stems and leaves. When the plant grows to a certain stage and enters the vigorous growth period, the application amount of phosphorus - potassium fertilizer, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, should be increased to promote the branching of the plant and the growth of creeping stems, and enhance the stress resistance of the plant. When fertilizing, pay attention to applying thin fertilizers frequently to avoid burning the roots with concentrated fertilizers.

e. Pest and disease control: Common pests and diseases of Purple Creeping Thyme include powdery mildew, leaf spot, aphids, red spiders, etc. Keep the planting environment well - ventilated, regularly clean up diseased leaves and plants, and reduce the breeding environment of pests and diseases. Regularly check the plants. Once pests and diseases are found, take corresponding control measures in a timely manner. For powdery mildew and leaf spot, fungicides such as carbendazim and chlorothalonil can be used for spray control; for aphids and red spiders, insecticides such as imidacloprid and abamectin can be used for control.