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» Willy World » Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2004 » Anyone growing chamomile?

Author Garden: Anyone growing chamomile? zelinda Great Gardener Member # 2999 posted                       Hello, This is my first time gardening. I have several herbs, but have a question about chamomile. I've just started harvesting the flowers for drying for tea. When I look on the underside of the flowers, sometimes I find a green aphid or a small green worm. I've just been picking them off. My question is, when the flowers have these types of critters, are they still ok for drying for tea? Do I need to toss them out or wash them before I dry them? Please answer me if you know. Thanks, Zelinda Plants: 84 | From: central texas | Registered: Jul 2004  |  Seeded: 67.116.140.117 Chrissy Garden Pro! Member # 2183 posted                       Hi , I am not sure if my answer is the right or only answer, but I will tell you what I do. I have been herb gardening for a few years now & I always rinse my plants before drying them. I have a dog, a ferret & several neighborhood cats that like to play in my gardens, so I feel it neccessary to rinse the plants just in case someone has peed on them lol:) As far a the aphids or insects...I just pinch them off & kill them. I get a few insects too since I don't use any chemical sprays in my gardens. Hope this helps, Chrissy * * * * z5b Plants: 1450 | From: Ohio | Registered: Apr 2004  |  Seeded: 12.218.222.220 plantlady19 Dream Gardener Member # 2782 posted                       Yep. I'm with Chrissy. I always rinse my herbs before drying them. If you want them cleaner than water can do, I'd suggest rinsing in that vegetible cleaner stuff and then rinsing with H2O. * * * * Rule like a Goddess. Command like a queen. Work like a slave. Plants: 193 | From: Morehead, Ky. | Registered: Jun 2004  |  Seeded: 147.133.37.124 weezie13 Compost Queen! Member # 772 posted                       Chrissy and Plantlady, Can you both post your method's of drying! (ie: like after you wash them and how do you let them dry??? Just curious!!) Weezie * * * * Weezie Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2 http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/ Plants: 29299 | From: N.Y. | Registered: Apr 2003  |  Seeded: 24.49.111.8 Phil and Laura guest posted                 I'll comment! I do drying of this type on an open screen, at room temp. Like that better for flowers,etc.. My Heavy duty Drying gets done in my Excalibar Dryer Yeah, you know those 2 hundred dollar machine,BUT, I went to a neighbors yard sale one morning and got mine for ...25 Bucks,With the Book!, needless to Say I was a HAPPY CAMPER!! Seeded: 170.215.46.72 Chrissy Garden Pro! Member # 2183 posted                       Wow, I wish I could find a deal like that on a dryer! Here is my method of drying that I posted in an earlier thread... I air dry my herbs. Some I lay on old window screens & let dry flat, then I package them in bottles, some crushed, some full leaves, depends on the herb. You can also put herbs in brown paper sacks with a few venilation holes poked in the bag for air circulation & they will dry over several days. You can hang herbs to dry by bundling the plants from the thickest stem, tying them with twine & using a clothespin to clip them to a line to dry or hang them from a herb rack or coat rack or any other place you can find that has good air circulation. The whole idea is to let the moisture evaporate slowly and naturally, leaving the precious herb oils behind. Sturdy herbs are best for air-drying. These are the less tender, low-moisture varieties such as sage, marjoram, thyme, summer savory, dill, oregano, bay leaves, and rosemary. Basil, tarragon, lemon balm and all mints have high moisture content and will get moldy if not dried pretty quickly. The best time to cut herbs for drying is just before they flower. Hope this helps:) Chrissy * * * * z5b Plants: 1450 | From: Ohio | Registered: Apr 2004  |  Seeded: 12.218.222.220 Jiffymouse guest posted                 that is awesome info (not sure how i missed it the first time) thanks chrissy Seeded: 12.77.200.180 zelinda Great Gardener Member # 2999 posted                       Hi Everyone, Thanks for your input about cleaning and drying chamomile. I also want to add my 2 cents about how I'm drying this herb. I lay papertowels on cookie sheets and put the chamomile flowers on top. I put these in an extra bathroom and turn on a space heater to a low setting. They dry within 10 hours or so. Plants: 84 | From: central texas | Registered: Jul 2004  |  Seeded: 67.116.140.117

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