Satureja Montana

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Satureja

Species

montana

Description

Aromatic herbaceous perennial with a bushy habit and abundant branching. Versatile in use, thanks to its foliage with its characteristic intense aroma, it is used in a variety of fields, from agri-food to medicinal and therapeutic. It can be grown in flowerbeds, pots, planters or in the open field and is highly hardy, tolerating dry summer heat and winter cold in soil free of waterlogging. The summer flowering, with its typical top inflorescences, gives it added ornamental value.

Variety description

It is a plant of easy cultivation and great adaptability to different soil and climate conditions. In the early part of the summer period, it is also possible to observe the flowering of the plant itself. Highly appreciated for both its aroma and flavour. It also adapts to particularly dry environments and is not afraid of low and cold temperatures. The crop, if the various cultivation cares are carried out correctly, can last up to 5-6 years. It has various therapeutic properties and for these reasons has various uses from an officinal point of view and in liqueurs. Savory does not tend to grow excessively tall and has a typically bushy habit.

Curiosities and special features

Savory leaves are widely used not only in the culinary world to add an intensely flavoured accent to meat and fish dishes, or to flavour cured meats during the preparation process, but also in the phytotherapeutic field as the extracted oil, with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, is used to treat skin problems such as acne, eczema, fungal infections, scars and burns.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the mountainous regions of southern Europe and North Africa; used by the Romans, who spread it throughout Europe, to flavour dishes and drinks.

Flower size

Flower individually is Medium in size.

Leaf

The leaf has a lamina shape.

Fruit

The leaf contains no seeds and has a weight of a: G with a medium consistency. The skin is not edible, while the colouring is uniform. From a sensory point of view, the aroma is intense, the taste strong and the flavour delicate. Ripening takes place throughout the year. The variety is characterised by good organoleptic characteristics and has an overall good quality appearance.

Flowering period

It flowers from early to mid-summer for a duration of 40 to 70 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence top.

Leaf colour

Unicoloured leaf blade.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 0.6 m; also ideal for flowerbed compositions with other aromatic species.

Lifespan

Perennial plant.

Where to plant

Widely versatile in use, it is cultivated as a bedding plant , balcony plant , large pot plant , open field, terrace plant, outdoor pool plant

Stem

The stem is semi-woody, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has medium size and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized top inflorescences. It flowers from early to mid-summer, with a flowering period of between 40 and 70 days. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The plant has a typical bushy habit.

Branching

Abundant branching gives a well-tended appearance with high foliage density.

PH

It grows well with a soil pH ranging from slightly acidic to alkaline, between 6.5 and 8.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in early spring or late winter, dig the soil 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues from previous crops, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the nutrients needed in the plant's early stages of development. In order to improve the drainage of excess water, thus preventing harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised flowerbed by slightly bouldering the soil, and finally carefully level the surface.

During the vegetative period we suggest working the first 2/3 cm of soil by hoeing to eliminate weeds adjacent to the crop and break up any surface crust.

Sun exposure

Expose the plant to full sun, afternoon sun for best results in vegetative growth and final productivity.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 20 and 30 °C; it also adapts to particularly dry environments and tolerates low and cold winter temperatures.

Use

Due to the properties of its foliage, it is widely used in different sectors such as:
Agribusiness Officinal / phytotherapeutic Aromatics

Hardiness

A variety of medium-high rusticity, it adapts to different soil and climatic conditions and tolerates periods of relative drought.

Soil

It tolerates different soil conditions; in general terms the ideal soil is medium-textured and well draining. For use in pots or tubs, a horticultural soil containing blond and brown peat is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy, the level of management effort required to achieve the best results in vegetative growth is low by taking care to perform the necessary cultivation care correctly.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation tips to ensure the plant expresses the best growth vigour:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Intercropping/combination

Crop intercropping with French beans is recommended.

Planting

At the time of transplanting, apply a suitable planting pattern in order to ensure correct spacing between each individual specimen, thus enabling optimum growth vigour to be achieved; to this end we recommend an average density of 7 plants per square metre. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the vegetative apex outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Pruning

Remove dry or damaged branches and perform harvest pruning with a precise cut to the desired height.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed, by cuttings or by division of the head.

Repotting

Repot in spring in a larger container if the plant shows stunted growth with roots completely enveloping the substrate.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts or canals with an optimal sub-alkaline pH, either manually or by sprinkler, drip-wing or sub-irrigation irrigation. During transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure it takes root properly in the new site without, however, overdoing the water supply. Afterwards, as it is a plant with low water requirements, allow the soil to dry slightly between one watering and the next, keeping it slightly damp but preventing dryness and stagnation. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon or evening, and also to water after each mowing to encourage re-sprouting and to have continuity in production for the following periods. Take extra care during the summer period as it is hotter and drier.

In the case of sowing, it is advisable, after completely burying the seed and covering it with substrate and non-woven fabric, to keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Fertilising

In the pre-transplant phase, bury an organo-mineral fertiliser to provide the nutrients the seedling needs in the early stages of growth. Then add a specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticulture to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in water and distributed by fertigation according to the plant's demand without exceeding the doses.

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known; consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

Species with edible leaves.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion in excessive doses and consider the specific case.

Tip

It is advisable not to overdo the irrigation as it is a species with low water requirements; if there is a need, pay attention to proper wetting especially at pre-flowering time.