Rosemary: propagation by cuttings. How to Grow Rosemary in a Pot at Home and Get the Most Benefits
Seasoning, natural freshener air, antidepressant and just handsome, especially during the flowering period. Did you know which plant in question? This is rosemary - a favorite of culinary experts and aesthetes, an amazing Mediterranean guest who has taken root with us. And now we are not talking about a purchased twig or dried leaves packaged in bags - growing rosemary in an apartment is a topic of interest to many fans of this plant, who have noticed that it is quite difficult to find rosemary even in nurseries.
Where to get planting material and how to grow a quality bush from it?
To begin with, only one type of rosemary lends itself to reproduction at home - medicinal (fragrant). And then - in a few years to get a self-sufficient plant, you have to work hard.
Growing rosemary in an apartment is an activity for those who are not used to giving up and know how to translate theory into practice as correctly as possible. Rosemary is a rather spoiled “guy”, he loves attention and proper (!) care. A step to the left, a step to the right of the rules leads to the degeneration of the plant or to an ugly extension of the branches. Professional gardeners consider winter garden conditions to be ideal for rosemary, but if you try, then the plant will feel very comfortable on the windowsill at home. Since rosemary is an alien from the Mediterranean coast, the main criteria for comfort for it are light, moisture and warmth. In the summer, keep a pot of rosemary in the places most exposed to the sun: a window sill is also suitable for this purpose, but dislocation of the plant on the balcony will be more correct, and in open space even more correct. It is absolutely not necessary to pull rosemary out of the pot and transplant it to the garden - it is enough to place it, along with the container, somewhere in the garden, on the veranda, on the patio, near the flower bed, so that it receives the necessary portion of light. Gardeners with experience say that the more sun that gets on rosemary, the more fragrant it becomes. In winter, place rosemary in the room closer to the window - it cannot live without light. Rosemary thrives in dry calcareous soils, the most suitable soil for it is permeable. Although the climate of the marine subtropics suggests high air humidity, rosemary can normally endure a certain period of drought and it will be much more preferable for the plant than an excess of moisture and stagnant water in a pot. Growing conditions for rosemary will be close to ideal in case of strict adherence to the irrigation regime. Like most southern plants, rosemary is very “respectful” of balance - there should not be much moisture, but it should be enough. Pay special attention to the moisture received by rosemary in a too dry hot period. If the plant is deficient in moisture, it will definitely notify you of this by yellowing the leaves. In the case when moisture is in excess, rosemary can shed its leaves. In winter, rosemary should be removed away from radiators, prevent overdrying of the soil, reduce watering, but make sure that it is not too scarce - this can lead to drying out of the root system and death of the plant. If you follow the usual logic, then this southern plant can be attributed to strange representatives of the flora: when growing rosemary from seeds, the containers must be kept in a cool room for the first few days after sowing. Some flower growers manage to shove the boxes into the refrigerator - to ensure stratification. And after three weeks of keeping in the cold, rosemary is placed in warmth and light, choosing a well-heated, sun-drenched room. If the “embryos” of rosemary feel great at a temperature of 5-6 degrees Celsius, then an adult plant can hardly tolerate + 10. The warmer the climate, the more luxurious the rosemary bush. You can grow rosemary at home on the windowsill in two ways: growing from seeds and cuttings. The second one is more popular among flower growers because of its simplicity. For the successful implementation of the cutting method, it is necessary to provide yourself with planting material since autumn, in October-November, cutting off a young shoot about 5 cm long from a developed bush. Having eliminated the lower tier of leaves, the shoot is placed in a special solution that stimulates growth and at the same time disinfects the cut site. After this simple procedure, the shoot must be stuck in a sand-peat mixture for rooting. Those gardeners who have a “light hand” claim that the rosemary stalk takes root without problems, being in ordinary water. But this does not happen to everyone and not always, so it is more correct to follow the standard instructions. During the rooting period, it is better to keep rosemary away from direct sunlight - at this time, the light can be aggressive and destructive for the plant. You will notice young roots in 2.5-3 weeks, then transplant rosemary into “real” soil. The vast majority of flower growers do not like to propagate rosemary by sowing seeds, since they do not have high germination. In order to raise it at least by some percentage, it is necessary to resort to a number of manipulations during preparation for sowing:
What is comfort?
Light
Moisture
Temperature
Reproduction methods: which is more effective?
Successful cuttings
Seeds. Preparatory stage
An evergreen perennial with fragrant leaves, in wildlife has long grown on the Mediterranean coast, irrigated with splashes of foam. believing in magical properties rosemary, with its sprigs the inhabitants of Hellas decorated houses, outfits of newlyweds, wreaths of flowers - cemetery graves. "Sea dew", as the name of the bush sounds in Latin, symbolized fidelity and memory. The Romans used it to slow down the approach of old age, to achieve success. exotic perennial drove away bad dreams brought back youth. To start growing rosemary in an apartment, you need to study what conditions it needs for growth and development.
The bush of the Mediterranean perennial has a different height, some specimens reach 2 meters. The leathery leaves, which smell like pine needles, grow in length from 15 to 35 mm. Short shoots are hidden in their axils, on each of which, under favorable conditions, up to 10 flowers of a blue-violet color are formed.
Rosemary is rich in trace elements in the form of:
- sodium and potassium;
- iron and copper;
- calcium and manganese;
- zinc and phosphorus.
Vitamin A and ascorbic acid help strengthen teeth and cleanse the skin. Due to its composition, the culture acts as an antiseptic, kills microbes, and has a negative effect on viruses and fungi. The antibacterial properties of grass leaves and flowers have been used in seasonings for meat dishes, in which Escherichia coli and staphylococcus are often detected.
Manganese renders beneficial effect on nervous system, calcium strengthens bones and blood vessels, iron increases hemoglobin.
In the green parts of the Mediterranean culture found:
- lipids;
- amino acids;
- flavonoids;
- tannins.
Drinking rosemary water relieves the pain of gout. Essential oil perennial relieves cramps, with certain conditions inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
What varieties are suitable for growing in an apartment
It happens that even with the creation of favorable conditions, a culture from the Mediterranean does not take root in an apartment. In nature, there are 2 types of this culture. Gardens and parks are decorated by planting prostrate rosemary, the bushes look very attractive, but they are not suitable for growing at home.
The common perennial species has not one name, but several, is divided into varieties that have only minor differences, and is used as indoor plant. Fragrant rosemary, which is planted in pots, freshens the air, kills germs, fills the room with a bright aroma.
For growing in an apartment, it is better to purchase undersized varieties perennial. These include Severn Sea, Tenderness. Under favorable conditions, shrubs delight with small flowers of blue or purple color.
Tall varieties Salem, Roseus can also be planted in an apartment or in a house. In nature, their height reaches one and a half meters. The plant will look great, the only condition for growing it on a balcony or windowsill is the need for frequent pruning.
Choosing a place for rosemary
There are practically no frosts in the Mediterranean countries, the fragrant shrub is accustomed to warmth, in conditions middle lane V cold period he won't survive the year. Rosemary is cozy in the greenhouse, in winter garden but not everyone can afford it. Perennial will decorate the room, fill it with aroma. But not everyone knows how to grow this shrub, where it should be planted.
Rosemary loves the sun, so that the flower grows well, you need to find a place for it on a glazed and insulated loggia, balcony or on a windowsill, which is located with south side. If this condition is not observed, rosemary will stretch upwards and lose its decorative properties.
We select the optimal soil and pot
A guest from the Mediterranean has a branched root that needs a lot of oxygen. To make rosemary comfortable, it must be planted in a spacious container. A clay pot for flowers is best suited for this purpose. It is necessary to make holes for drainage in it, pour expanded clay on the bottom. The perennial will also grow in a wooden tub, but it attracts moisture.
Under natural conditions, the stem of the shrub reaches 2 meters, and if you take good care of it, then rosemary will turn into a tree. A pot for a young perennial should be at least 20 cm in diameter.
To prepare the soil for planting, the following is taken in the same volume:
- Earth;
- compost:
- humus;
- river sand.
A mixture suitable for rosemary can be purchased at a flower shop. He loves loose soil with low acidity and slightly alkaline.
Planting a plant
It is easiest to purchase a rosemary bush at a retail outlet, and then carefully move it into a prepared pot with soil and drainage. You can grow a shrub from seeds. Before planting, they are soaked for a day in ordinary water, a growth stimulator helps to speed up the emergence of shoots.
After finishing preparation:
- Sowing material is laid out on moist soil.
- Substrate is poured on top. Its layer should not exceed 5 mm.
- The container is covered with plastic wrap and left in a room where it is not lower than 25 ° C.
Seedlings, which usually sprout after 3 weeks, need to be watered, but in such a way that there is no stagnant water, and aired regularly. When 3 leaves form on the seedlings, they should be carefully planted one at a time in separate pots.
It is possible at home. They need to be deepened at an angle into the ground, which is prepared by mixing sand and moss. IN polyethylene film you need to pierce the holes and cover the box with it. The container is transferred to a warm, well-lit place. After three weeks, rosemary can be transplanted into a pot.
Petioles are sold in flower shops, but if one shrub is already growing at home, you can cut off a twig from the top, cut off the lower leaves and put it in water or in the ground mixed with sand.
When roots appear, rosemary should be planted in a pot. To form a beautiful bush, the top of the fragrant culture is simply pinched.
Rules for caring for a plant at home
After transplanting seedlings or cuttings, new worries will be added. If rosemary is not properly cared for, it blooms poorly, loses leaves, gets very sick and eventually dies.
If the shrub grows in a pot, in the summer it needs to be taken out to the terrace, outdoor balcony or even plant in the yard. Rosemary loves Fresh air. This is one of the main conditions for the growth and development of southern culture.
Temperature, humidity and lighting
In summer, when buds form on rosemary, the plant needs warmth. Ideal Temperature for this period in the development of culture - 25 °C. The deviation should not exceed 2 degrees. In the winter months, the shrub is at rest, the heat prevents rest. One of the main conditions for lush flowering and the development of Mediterranean culture is served by a large amount of fresh air.
In a room with central heating, it is difficult to provide conditions for lowering the temperature below 15 °C. To cool the air, you can place a bowl of ice or snow next to the rosemary.
Insufficient moisture negatively affects the condition of the shrub. The leaves of the flower turn yellow and wither. To bring this indicator back to normal, a pot of rosemary is placed on a pallet, into which expanded clay is poured and water is poured so that it does not penetrate into the drainage holes, otherwise the flower roots will rot.
In summer, the bush gets enough light. In the heat, the leaves can burn, so the plant has to be shaded a little. In order for the sun's rays to fall on the crown from all sides, the pot must be rotated every day.
Rosemary needs an additionally lit place in winter, when the days are short. The flower responds well to the spectrum emitted by the phytolamp. It must be turned on daily for at least 5 hours.
Watering the plant
Although under natural conditions the shrub grew where the summer is hot, but when the soil dries up, it feels uncomfortable and reminds of this with yellowed leaves. Potted soil should be watered regularly.
Excess moisture is even more dangerous for rosemary than dry soil. In the heat, flower growers recommend spraying the culture from a spray bottle. It is advisable to do this both in the morning and in the evening.
When rosemary is at rest, it should be watered no more than 2 times a week. Humidification is less often resorted to when flowers appear. Be sure to ensure that water, and it should only be warm, does not fall on the leaves, as this is fraught with the development of a fungal disease.
Top dressing and fertilizer
In order for rosemary to please with its appearance, bloom well and for a long time, it must be provided nutrients. The shrub reacts positively to organic fertilizing. A couple of times during the summer, the plant is watered with bird droppings, but the composition is prepared in a ratio of 1 to 30.
Rosemary is fed with a complex mineral fertilizer every month. In the dormant period, the indoor flower does not need additional substances, the soil is moistened much less frequently than in summer. In winter, fertilizer is applied only when rosemary did not have time to transplant on time.
plant pruning
To form a beautiful and lush bush, even when the stems of rosemary become stiff, they cut it, and this is done regularly. The first time such a procedure is performed when the plant has a height of about 15 cm. Only young shoots are cut, it is necessary to cut it so that a third of the length remains of them. Such manipulations with rosemary are carried out in early spring and after flowering.
Subject to the conditions of pruning for 5 years, the shrub will delight with aroma and decorative appearance.
Transfer
The roots of rosemary grow strongly, and the pot for them quickly becomes cramped. Young petioles interfere with each other. To make the bush feel comfortable, please delicate flowers, it must be transplanted once a year. It's not hard to do this:
- First you need to choose a container of a larger diameter.
- Poke holes in it.
- Fill the bottom with a layer of expanded clay.
- Pour the soil substrate.
- Carefully remove rosemary from the pot along with a clod of earth.
- Separate the shoots from the bush and transplant each separately.
It is better to start the procedure in spring or summer. At home, the fragrant perennial blooms no worse than in the garden, if it is constantly taken care of.
Winter plant care
After the growing season, rosemary should rest. During the dormant period, it is important to find a place in the room where the air temperature will constantly be kept within 6–14 degrees. Unlike some flowering plants Rosemary leaves do not need to be torn off. In winter, the shrub practically does not need top dressing either. mineral fertilizers, nor organic. You still need to water the rosemary to keep the potting soil from drying out, but you can do this once or twice a week.
Be sure to provide the bush with additional lighting.
It depends on how the wintering went, whether the plant will bloom well in the new season. Best time for bush rest - from December to February.
Rosemary Propagation Methods
There are 3 options, using each of them, it is easy to plant perennial bushes in the apartment, which will purify the air, delight with flowering and aroma. You can plant a culture by preparing your own petioles. They are also sold in a specialized store.
The second method is more laborious and is produced using seed, which is more difficult to collect on your own. If you can't do it, you should look for it in outlets and plant in prepared soil.
The third breeding option is layering from the lower shoot.
seeds
Breeding rosemary from seed allows you to grow several new bushes at once, but you can’t plant it deep into the ground, you just need to scatter it on the surface and cover it with moist soil.
Seeds may not sprout for various reasons, including:
- acidic soil;
- excessive watering;
- lack of moisture or heat.
Under favorable conditions, seedlings should appear no later than 20 days later. It is better to spray them with a spray bottle, and not water them. If a lot of seeds are planted, grown sprouts with three leaves dive.
cuttings
It is easier to propagate rosemary in the second way. When forming the crown, young stems are always cut off. They sprout roots in water, in loose soil, and in sand.
Before the petioles are planted, the lower leaves are necessarily cut off, the top is plucked off.
Diseases and pests
In case of non-compliance with the conditions of agricultural technology, improper care appearance rosemary deteriorates, the bush withers and gradually dies. The plant suffers from the invasion of pests, the leaves and stems of the culture are affected by fungal and bacterial diseases.
You can cope with the insect by spraying rosemary with Actellik and Tanrek insecticides, but after processing, the shrub should not be used as a seasoning.
Aphid
downy mildew
In the absence of ventilation and excess moisture in the soil and air, other unfavorable conditions, rosemary leaves become covered with whitish dots. Their number is rapidly increasing, such a disease develops as false powdery mildew. You can cure an indoor flower only by spraying the shrub with chemical fungicides.
plant application
Rosemary, planted in an apartment on the windowsill, not only radiates aroma, but also phytoncides, which destroy microbes, absorb other odors. The green parts of the plant are seasoned with dishes:
- from pork and lamb;
- from eggplant and tomatoes;
- potatoes and zucchini;
- cabbage and eggs;
- mushrooms and spinach.
Medicinal rosemary, this is the plant that can be used to eliminate pain, runny nose, cramps. In some states, the shrub is officially used in the treatment of hypertension, digestive disorders, rheumatism and arthritis.
Leaves and flowers of rosemary are added to herbal mixtures, to alcoholic cocktails. When dried, they retain their aroma, and at home they do not lose their important properties for a long time.
(No ratings yet)
Nature never ceases to amaze with its diversity of flora.
And among the representatives of the flora there are such generalists that it seems as if the whole world is embodied in one unusual plant, such as, for example, Rosemary.
This small, ethereal-smelling shrub grows in the Mediterranean countries.
But Rosemary is also a frequent guest on the windowsills of indoor plant lovers. And it is valued not only for its decorative effect, but for its useful properties.
Rosemary is used both in cosmetology and in cooking. And this plant is able at home only by its presence to clear the surrounding air of microbes.
Rosemary - home care
Location and lighting
This plant loves free space around you and direct sunlight.
Therefore, it is best to place fairly spacious pots with light deciduous-chalky soil (you can add fine gravel, expanded clay and sand) in open, well-lit spaces.
And so that each sprig of rosemary at home can “bathe” in the gentle rays of the sun, the bush needs to be turned from time to time one side or the other.
Particular attention should be paid to lighting in winter time. Since rosemary needs light for at least 8 hours a day for life, daylight hours for this plant will have to be increased using fluorescent lamps.
Temperature
As for the temperature, rosemary is enough capricious plant. He does not like sudden changes in temperature.
Therefore, it will be necessary to maintain stable heat in the room for him. And the higher the temperature, the more active rosemary is fragrant.
But in winter, you should keep the Celsius degree within 12-15, so that the plant stops its growth a little. Otherwise, all the power will go into the leaves, not giving the bush then the opportunity to bloom.
Watering rosemary and air humidity
By watering, the plant is relatively tolerant - the soil can be irrigated with ordinary tap water. The main thing is to do it regularly, but in moderation.
Otherwise, the roots of rosemary may rot, and the bush will “die” overnight. In winter, water rosemary as the soil dries.
AND high humidity air for the plant is detrimental - the foliage is covered with mold.
fertilizers
Rosemary at home grows well without additional feeding. But during the period of active growth, it still does not hurt to feed the plant once or twice a month.
You can use conventional complex fertilizers or apply phosphorus fertilizers to the soil at the beginning of the growing season, and nitrogen fertilizers at the time of entry into the dormant phase.
For the whole winter period top dressing is applied no more than 2 times and in small quantities.
To spring bloom was abundant, before this phase, rosemary needs complete rest. And fertilizers, on the contrary, can involuntarily stimulate the active vital activity of the plant in winter.
Rosemary transplant and reproduction
Rosemary at home is not a fan of "changing" the place of residence. Therefore, it should be transplanted carefully (and this must be done as the root system grows).
best time to change flower pot for a large capacity - spring. At the same time, the earth mixture is completely changed to fresh (with mandatory drainage).
The root shoots that have died during the winter are cut off, and the bush is transplanted into moist soil.
You should also shorten the rosemary branches to make it easier for the plant to take root in a new place.
Cut cuttings can be planted together in one spacious flower pot (or box) for propagation. But first, the lower leaves are cut off, and the stem is treated with a rooting agent.
The soil for seedlings should contain peat and sand. While the root system is being formed on the cuttings, they should be sprayed daily with warm water.
In this case, it is necessary to avoid getting direct sun rays. After 3 weeks, rooted cuttings can be planted in different flower pots.
Rosemary pests and diseases
Despite the fact that rosemary has good antibacterial properties, he himself is able to get sick.
If the plant is not cared for properly, its leaves may wilt (excess sun) or even turn yellow (lack of moisture).
If the aroma is gone, this is a symptom of excessive moisture. Setting the desired mode 
lighting, air humidity and watering, the plant can be cured.
The situation will be more difficult with pests: aphids, whiteflies. Here you will have to resort to disinfectants.
But the plant itself is resilient, and Rosemary's immunity at home weakens only in winter.
On the coast of such Mediterranean countries as France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, wild rosemary can be found quite often, but it garden variety fell in love with flower growers and gardeners in many European and not only countries.
This plant got its name, sea dew or Rosmarinum, because, according to the ancient Romans and Greeks, its light blue flowers look like splashes. sea foam, flying to the bushes growing on the coast. Now a lot of people are passionate about Mediterranean cooking. Buy this herb in powder form or as part of seasonings, but nothing can compare with the aroma and taste of a freshly plucked green leaf! Today, each of us, the inhabitants modern apartments, it is quite possible to grow rosemary at home. How to do this and what is required, we will tell in more detail.
What it is
As well as sage, monarda, lavender and coleus, it belongs to (Lamiaceae). In warm climates, this evergreen shrub growing in the garden or on the street, the height of which can reach two meters. Its bark is brownish-gray, and the tetrahedral branches are covered with needle-like, wrapped around the edges, shiny above and soft, fluffy below the leaves. This plant is a good honey plant, blooming from March to May with small, pale blue flowers that are clustered at the top of the branches. Its root system is well developed and can go as deep as 3-4 meters, which should be taken into account when transplanting.
A bit of history
Even in ancient times, the ancient Greeks and Romans knew about and used it and the oil from it in cooking and perfumery. In the 13th century, this plant was used as an element medicines, for example, The Queen of Hungary Water.
According to the surviving evidence, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, who took this remedy, at the age of 72 was able to capture the Polish king, who offered her a hand and a heart. Inhabitants medieval Europe knew how to grow rosemary, and planted it in pastures and meadows, as well as cultivated it in their homes and associated many different signs and customs with it. Sprigs of this plant were woven into brides' bouquets and hairstyles, used in magical love spells and to protect homes from nightmares. Rosemary branches were thrown into the grave of the deceased in memory of him. Documentary evidence has been preserved that the branches of this plant were fumigated at home during the plague epidemic of the 14th-15th centuries.
Rosemary began to be used as a spice in the 16th century and was added not only to meat and game dishes, but also to wine.
Where is it used
Today, rosemary is widely used in cooking, medicine and in the production of cosmetics and perfumes. Many European housewives not only know how to grow rosemary at home, but also keep pots of rosemary in their kitchens. This spice is widely used in English, French, Italian, Indian and Chinese cuisines. As an independent seasoning, rosemary is rarely used, as a rule, it is part of various flavored salts and spices, spice mixtures. Those who grow rosemary at home add it when preparing various vegetable and meat soups, salads, season fish, meat, poultry and game with it when frying or baking. IN Food Industry Rosmarinum is used in the production of semi-finished products from fish or meat, pasta, in a variety of preservatives and marinades. In addition, this spice is used for flavoring alcoholic beverages and beer.
Rosemary has long been used in folk medicine in organ diseases gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and urinary systems, rheumatic lesions of the joints. Research by modern scientists has confirmed most of the claims attributed to this plant. useful properties. Today, rosemary is part of medicines aimed at normalizing the work of the digestive organs, means to increase blood pressure and improvement of blood microcirculation.
This plant, which came to us from the warm Mediterranean countries, can hardly endure the conditions of our unpredictable winters. If you plant it in the garden and do not cover it before a cold snap, it will die. Experienced gardeners it is recommended at home in winter, summer, if possible, to transplant it for a warm period in a garden or vegetable garden, and with the onset of cold weather, return it to a warm room again.
It is quite unpretentious and usually the difficulties associated with germinating it from seeds. For normal growth and development of a rosemary bush, moisture-permeable poor soil and the sun are needed. This plant is drought tolerant.
In order to grow rosemary at home, you can use one of the following methods:
- buy rooted young seedlings in specialized garden centers or stores;
- stock up on seeds and patience;
- in cold weather from young plant take an air layer for rooting;
- take several cuttings from a strong plant.
Trying to grow from seeds
After that, it is necessary to cover the landing containers with glass or a dense film and put them in a refrigerator or any room with a constant temperature of +5 0 С +7 0 С for two to three weeks, and then transfer them to warm room. After about two to three weeks, shoots should appear, if this did not happen after a month, then it is better to repeat the sowing. It is important not to overmoisten the soil and try to maintain the temperature in the room around +10 0 С +12 0 С.
We propagate by cuttings
Someone tries to grow rosemary at home from seeds, but the most common way is to propagate this plant using cuttings. To do this, in late autumn, young shoots about 7-10 cm long are cut from an old rosemary bush. lower leaves removed, and the cuttings are dipped with a “leg” into any powder or solution to stimulate root formation, and then they can be placed in a dark glass container filled with water and wait until young roots form. After that, the seedlings are planted in separate pots and grown on a warm sunny window. Some gardeners skip the rooting stage and immediately root freshly cut cuttings in a peat-sand mixture. After 10-14 days, subject to fairly frequent spraying of rooted cuttings from a spray bottle, they are transplanted into large pots with loose soil.
Features of home content
In order to please you with rosemary grown by you, care at home is as follows:
1. Since the plant is thermophilic, it needs a warm and well-lit place in your home. In summer, this spice will be happy to “live” on the south window, but in winter it is better to put it on a cool windowsill, where the temperature will be in the range of +10 0 С +15 0 С.
2. In order for the plant not to lose its leaves in the autumn-winter period, it needs to artificially extend the daylight hours up to 7-8 hours, using additional lighting.
3. Water this plant should be moderate in summer, and in winter only as the soil dries.
4. If you grow rosemary at home, in the warm season, twice a month, you can feed it with complex fertilizers. In winter, you can fertilize the plant once every two months.
Even our ancestors grew rosemary in a pot in houses or on household plots. It refers to evergreens. Previously, it was used as a spice and for the treatment of many diseases.
Nowadays, rosemary is not as popular as it used to be. It is rare for anyone to find this plant at home. Perhaps because it is not as beautiful as other indoor flowers, or because it is difficult to grow it. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to solve the question, how to grow rosemary yourself?
homemade rosemary
Only 1 species of this plant reproduces at home, which is called fragrant rosemary. But even in this case, it will take time and some effort to grow it.
If you have enough willpower and desire, then you should get down to business. This is a very spoiled flower, it requires constant attention and careful care. If you deviate even a little from the rules, then the plant will disappear, or its branches will stretch ugly. Professional gardeners advise growing rosemary in winter gardens. But if you really want to grow it at home, then you can proceed.
Growing features
Start by studying the characteristics of this culture. Thus, it will be easier to find out what has a beneficial effect on the plant, and what can harm it. Homemade rosemary develops quickly, as well as its root system. Therefore, planting small plant, take big pot. In this case, the soil is either updated or completely replaced. A new drainage is laid out at the bottom of the pot.
The next step is to establish correct mode temperature. You may have to constantly move the rosemary pot from one place to another. For example, in winter, the culture is best moved to a cool place, for example, to a balcony, where there is no central heating. In this case, rosemary will need additional artificial light.
IN summer period the plant is also better to keep on the balcony. It is there that the flower will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight and air currents. It is recommended, if possible, to take rosemary to country cottage area.
At home, the plant must be systematically watered. In winter, soil moisture is carried out only when necessary.
Take care of the neighbors of rosemary, remove from its environment those that do not tolerate a strong smell.
Rosemary itself can get along with any indoor flower. Tomatoes planted nearby, sage and even any greens will be an excellent addition to it. Caring for rosemary is a painstaking task.
Planting rosemary in a pot
At home, rosemary can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Doing so better in spring, in April or May. In winter, the likelihood that the plant will take root is extremely small. It is worth considering each method of planting rosemary.
Growing rosemary at home from seeds.
This process is laborious, but you can try, the more joy there will be when the plant takes root. You can buy seeds in specialized stores. Because of small size you must first prepare them for landing:
- 3-4 days before planting the seeds, lay them out in wet gauze, which you fold several times beforehand. Moisten the gauze daily with a spray bottle.
- Then the seeds are sown in the ground at a uniform distance. A thin layer of earth is sprinkled on top.
- Watering is not desirable, so as not to wash off upper layer soil. Use the same sprayer. After that, the soil is covered with a film in which small holes have been previously made for air ventilation.
- The pots are placed in a warm room where the temperature is +16-20°C. The soil is moistened moderately daily.
- After a month, you will notice sprouts, now you can remove the film and rearrange the pots to a lighted place.
After the sprouts get stronger, transplant them into separate pots. Do not plant more than 2 seedlings in 1 pot, otherwise, as the rosemary grows, they will suffocate each other with their root system.
Growing a crop from seeds is a very laborious task and does not always give positive result. Sometimes there are too few shoots. This happens for several reasons:
- due to poor soil;
- due to excessive watering or, conversely, lack of moisture;
- at room temperature air above +20ºС;
- if poor quality seeds.
Do not worry about this, you have several attempts to grow rosemary. Otherwise, you can use another method of plant propagation.
Rosemary: propagation by cuttings.
They are also purchased at the store, or harvested independently. Propagation of rosemary cuttings is carried out as follows:
- To do this, stiff branches are cut from an adult plant, up to 10 cm in size.
- Disembarkation takes place at spring time, and in warm climates, you can do this in the fall.
- Remove the leaves from the cutting and place it in soil that has been previously moistened.
This method of planting has a major drawback: the cutting may die before roots appear in it. Most often this happens if you overdo it with watering.
The advantage of this method is that several cuttings can be planted at a time and, perhaps, at least 1 of them will take root.
Diseases and pests
Usually the plant is almost not exposed to diseases and pests. This is due to the fact that rosemary can germinate both indoors and outdoors. But in unprotected soil, the culture may die. The exceptions are warm countries where rosemary can grow without any additional conditions.
If you find a thin cobweb on the leaves of a plant, you should know that it has been attacked spider mite. In this case, all the leaves of the plant are washed soapy water and then dried. For severe infections, apply chemicals.
If powdery mildew attacked the plant, then at first glance it is not so easy to detect it, this is due to the fact that rosemary leaves are covered with small hairs. For this reason, culture often dies. Inspect the houseplant, if you notice darkened or dried leaves, then powdery mildew is most likely the cause.
Thus, rosemary can be both a house flower and it is suitable for planting in open areas. Despite the cost and effort spent, you will eventually be able to enjoy the sight of this plant. In addition, rosemary is used as a spice, and in some cases it will help to cope with a number of diseases. But remember that in order for the plant to serve you for a long time, you need to constantly care for rosemary.
