How to grow rosemary at home

Rosemary lovers often complain that in the middle latitudes this spice does not survive in winter. What to do? Plant in the pot and on the windowsill!

How to grow rosemary at home? From seed or cuttings. Each method has its own difficulties, but they are completely surmountable.

We grow rosemary seeds

Seeds are easy to find. They are sold in almost every specialty store. But that's the problem - they sprout very badly. Sometimes sprouts have to wait for a month, or even more. The secret of 100% germination is the landing method. Most people who want to have rosemary on the windowsill come in as standard. Planted in the ground, covered with a thick film, then wait a long time for germination. The sad picture, given the fact that this Makar have to re-seed the rosemary several times.

We discover the secret - it is necessary to germinate seeds in the "snail". It is a loosely folded roll of thick film, kitchen oilcloth or laminate backing. How to sow the seeds in the "snail"? Roll out a strip of material with a width of 10-12 cm on a flat surface. The length can be any, depending on the number of seeds.

Three strips of loose paper are put on top, sprinkled gently from the spray bottle with clean water. Then, at a distance of 0.8-1.2 cm from the top edge, the seeds are laid out. Then carefully fold the resulting structure into a roll. Not tight for the seeds to breathe, but not too loose for the snail to keep its shape. Now we need to put all this interesting business in a glass, pour about 1.5 cm of water at the bottom. Cover with a transparent bag on top to make a mini-teplichka, put on germination in a dark warm place.

Shoots appear in 10-14 days. Immediately after this, the shelter is removed, and the “snail” itself, together with a glass, is transferred to a well-lit place. As soon as the first true leaf appears, it is necessary to unfold the roll. Straight on the roots carefully pour fertile land mixed with sand in half. Layer should be no more than 0.5 cm.Now it is necessary to carefully roll back the entire structure. Do not forget to monitor the level of liquid in the cup, if necessary, topped up with water.

After the appearance of the third true leaf, you can sip a rosemary. Better yet, immediately plant it in a permanent place. At the same time wet paper is very well torn or cut with scissors along with the soil. It is also transplanted, along with earth and paper, so as not to damage the roots.

We grow rosemary from cuttings

Finding rosemary cuttings will not be difficult for those who live near a large chain supermarket. On the shelves with greens you can always find some fresh twigs. They are great for planting. If there is no such store nearby, it will be necessary to extract the stalk in other ways: beg for a gift, buy from friends, steal in the end. By the way, they say that stolen processes grow best.

So, you - the happy owner of the twigs. We cut off the bottom about 6-7 cm long stem. These leaves you can safely throw in tea or other dishes. The stalk itself is carefully scratched to a depth of no more than 1 mm.This can be done with the tip of a needle, pin or sharp blade. Now you need a quick motion to dip the cuts into any root stimulator and you can plant the cutting in the ground.

For the first week you need to arrange a greenhouse above it, then you can remove it. As soon as you notice that the cutting has taken root and has gone to growth, then immediately pinch the top of the central stem. This will cause the plant to throw out side shoots, which also need to be pinned. Thanks to this molding, you get a bushy bush, and not a long single stalk.

Some argue that rooted rosemary cuttings in a glass of water, and they all turned out fine. Well, the method is taking place. Try in the water, if you do not want to mess around with cuts and all the rest. The twig forms the roots and it can be planted in a permanent place.

Plant rosemary correctly

Adult rosemary has a very powerful wide root system. Therefore, the size of the pot is required appropriate. A depth of not more than 15 cm, but with a diameter of at least 20 cm. That is, low and wide. The composition of the soil for the plant is the most common: fertile land, clean sand and peat. Proportions 2 to 1 to 1.Drainage must be poured at the bottom of the tank, because the roots do not like stagnant fluids.

Rosemary is not necessary to repot every year. It will be enough in the spring to replace the top 3 cm of soil with a new one. Such technology will be suitable if a clay or ceramic pot was chosen. When choosing a plastic container, you will need to replant rosemary every year. By the way, the plant does not like this process, so it is better to plant it immediately in ceramics.

Rosemary Care

This spice does not require any extraordinary attitude to itself, but it cannot do without care at all. Rosemary is poured over water at room temperature. It is desirable to prevent complete drying of the earthy coma. It is fraught with death. However, fluid retention may cause foliage to drop. Therefore, it is closely monitored that there is no water left in the pan after watering. If in 15 minutes the liquid is not completely absorbed, then it must be drained.

Rosemary likes light. It is absolutely not afraid of direct sunlight. Light day for it should be at least 7 hours. Therefore, on the north windows or in the winter time will need additional lighting.

Temperature should be slightly cool. The most optimal temperature is from 14 to 18 ° C. At a higher level, a container with clean water is placed next to the bush to maintain the level of humidity. Or more often they spray it from a sprayer, rosemary perfectly carries such a light shower. If it is necessary for rosemary to bloom, then in winter it is kept at a temperature not higher than 12 ° C. Then by the spring buds will appear on it, and a little later, bluish flowers. Only lower the temperature gradually, otherwise all the leaves will be dropped.

Feeding. Absolutely any mineral fertilizer is perfectly perceived by rosemary. Do not give up on a certain amount of organic matter. Only without fanaticism, overfeeding threatens the death of the plant. From February to November, strictly on wet soil fertilizer is added once a month. December and January rosemary should sit on a starvation diet. Do not worry, nothing will happen to him. Two months without fertilizers, this spicy grass perfectly survive.

Airing. Rosemary likes fresh air, but not a draft. Ventilate the plant more often; it will thank you for it. And even better after the disappearance of the threat of return frost to take the pot to the balcony or garden. There he will grow fine all season.

Just be sure to bring the pot into the house long before the autumn cold. At + 5 ° C, shoot growth stops; at 0 ° C, rosemary dies.

Pests and diseases

Before you return the pot to the windowsill, carefully check the rosemary for pests. There is practically no rosemary lovers in the climate of the middle lane, but here is the ubiquitous aphid! She would not have to burst, she will be any plant, even the most unusual. Therefore, the soil in a pot is covered with food wrap, and the bush itself is thoroughly washed under running water. Then put in quarantine. And only then return to their native place by the window.

Try to do without insecticides and get rid of aphids by hand. Because after using the poison, you can forget about the culinary purpose of rosemary. However, this does not detract from its decorative value and ability to disinfect the air in the room.

Of all diseases, only one thing threatens rosemary - powdery mildew. And even then, it occurs only with a sharp change in temperature. How to deal with it? For a start, provide the plant with a constant temperature without sudden drops.And you have to remove all damaged shoots. Spraying fungicides will help a little, because the leaves of rosemary are too dense. They are covered with strong scales that simply do not let the drug inside the sheet.

If you miss, most of the plants are affected, then it makes sense to cut off the remaining healthy shoots and root them. The remaining sick bush will have to be thrown away. By the way, the soil from under it is also no good. It is already infected with pathogenic bacteria and must also be thrown out.

Useful tips

1. For a uniform regrowth of shoots, you should turn the rosemary pot 40–45 ° every week. After all, each side of the plant should receive its portion of the sun's rays to the full.
2. Before planting, the soil must be disinfected, even if it was purchased in a specialized store. The required amount of land is poured into a tight bag, then placed in the freezer for 3 days. Then take out, give completely thawed. Next, pour a very strong solution of potassium permanganate, and after 12 hours, calcined in an oven at 105-110 ° С. After complete cooling, the soil is ready for planting.In it there are no more larvae of pests and pathogens.
3. Before sowing seeds in the "snail" they are not soaked! It will be enough of the liquid that is in the impregnated paper and at the bottom of the cup. For additional heat, you can put a container with a roll on the foam plate or wool cloth. A wooden or cork stand is also suitable.
4. Try to avoid picking the plants. Rosemary tolerates planting more easily than transplanting to another soil. It is better to immediately put it in a permanent place in order not to disturb the root system anymore.
5. If the tips of the leaves began to turn yellow in rosemary, then he asks to drink. Do not forget, earthy earth should not dry out completely.
6. Pinching shoots can be carried out from spring to autumn. In winter, the plant is better not to touch. Even if rosemary began to be stretched to a height due to a lack of light, in winter it is advisable to use additional lighting. And pinching up to a more opportune moment.
7. Rosemary is very responsive to regular soil loosening. His roots love to breathe. Only carry out this procedure very carefully so as not to damage them.You can use a short-pronged fork, a wooden stick. If there is no possibility or desire to constantly loosen the earth in a pot, then when planting it add fine gravel, broken brick or pieces of limestone. This will increase the air permeability of the soil.

How to grow rosemary at home? Not so difficult. With the most standard agricultural technology, it is quite possible to get a fragrant bush up to 60 cm high on the windowsill. It can grow up to one and a half meters, only you need it? Form rosemary correctly and you can constantly enjoy the fragrant seasoning of its own production. Or use it for cosmetic purposes.

Video: how to plant rosemary seed