How fast can herbs bought in a supermarket grow?

If you are an herb lover, you have probably been tempted by the succulent leaves in the fruit and vegetable section displayed in your supermarket. Well, these potted herbs certainly look nice but you may be disappointed if you buy them because the taste and aroma may not be what you have expected.

Why is that? These herbs look fresh and all, right? It all comes down to growing conditions and how quickly these greens were “forced” to grow. They literally grow like there is no tomorrow.

Rapid growth may not be beneficial

Herbs can grow one or two centimetres per day – that is how fast they grow. “Six to seven weeks is enough for most plants, that is if you grow from seed,” says Miloslav Souček, the production manager of a company that grows herbs in a huge greenhouse. Everything is controlled by a computer. And how it actually works?First, the machine counts five to eight seeds per one pot – depending on the type of herb. There is one exception. Mint cannot be sown. Mint cuttings are planted manually.

Photo: Pixabay

A custom-mixed substrate is used for growing. The actual “birth” of herbs takes place in a dark and damp room with conditions that you cannot create at home. It is a pleasant partial shade, just like in a rainforest, constantly sprayed with water mist. After about a week, germinated seeds go to a “nursery” and into pots where they take root. If all is done correctly, you will get a fragrant and tasty herb and an affordable one too, because it only took a short time. Should you skip any step in this process you will deprive young plants of valuable essential oils and thereby of taste and aroma.

Quick trip to store

Tiny sprouts do not like the dark environment of the nursery and are transferred to the sunniest part in the greenhouse. This is where they grow and mature and when they do, they are shipped to stores.

Preview photo: Pixabay

Source: Čerstvá vůně do kuchyně | Protext – PR služby ČTK