Taking a cutting from Rosemary

[smallfrog]

Mums been round and looked at my Rosemary plant and said " You need to get some cutting off that soon as its going woody"

Like a fool i just said yes ok.

So how do....... not done cuttings of any kind before and was wondering is there a knack. Rooting powder, plastic bags, water, hormone stuff its all greek to me. :O)

[sarraceniac]

There are all sorts of theories on this smallfrog. People take classic cuttings and strip off the lower leaves but at this time of year I prefer spur cuttings. Just find a nice healthy, hardwood but not too old twig. Tear it off where it meets the main plant leaving a spur on it (that's a bit of barky looking wood from the boss plant). Stick it in a mix of sharp sand and compost (rooting hormone is optional, some say it works, some say not) pot up several of these round the edge of a plant pot, water a bit but don't drown, cover with a nice clear plastic bag, wait just checking every couple of weeks to make sure it doesn't need a drop of water.

That should do it in about 6 to 8 weeks.

[Bren In Pots]

I've just done some using the 'how too' from the Gardeners world website :-

rosemary-cuttings

[sarraceniac]

Yup. That probably works too.

[Jeanied]

Sarra seems to be in one of 'those' moods today, smallfrog!

IMHO You are too near your due date to worry about spur cuttings just now. Wait till the shoots have ripened a bit later in the summer and do a little light dibbing round the edge of a pot! Hopefully while the new little 'un is having a nap!

[smallfrog]

Read through Sarra and got alot confused and thought better of the whole thing. :O) But will give Bren and the Beeb ago. You get pictures and everything!!!!

Should i wait till it stops flowering? Its covered this year but is starting to get bits of die back on some on the stems. I put it down to the cold but it might be age its about 9yrs old. 1 of my 1st plants here and its been one of the best as well.

Getting loads done with this not working marky would get more down as well if i wasn't on here all the time. Going to give dividing up primulars ago as well so i've got a few more in the garden next year.

Watch out Carol Klein!!!

[Bren In Pots]

But will give Bren and the Beeb ago. You get pictures and everything!!!!

Should i wait till it stops flowering? Its covered this year but is starting to get bits of die back on some on the stems.

I find it easier following pictures as well Smallfrog least you get to see what you're supposed to be doing

Have you got any shoots on without flowers because I think they're the best ones to use.

[sarraceniac]

Sarra seems to be in one of 'those' moods today, smallfrog!

Just got reminded it's time to take some cuttings off my Rosemary.

So I've torn some twigs off.................

[binley100]

I stick 'em in a jar of water till they root. Never had a problem yet.

[ohbeary]

All the above makes sense,(just been bitten by the cat!), personally I just cut back to good growth and rip the cut off bit into single stalks, strip the lower 3/4 and poke into a pot of plain soil, neglect for up to a year and separate for planting

[smallfrog]

It seems i can't got wrong. Just watch me its a big bush so i'm going to try just water (i'm lazy) and the beeb method will keep you posted.

[chilliking]

i took some cuttings off my Rosemary plant a few weeks ago. i just snipped off a few twig with some scissors, pulled a few of the leaves off the bottom half and put about 5 of these twigs around the edges of a pot pill with just regular potting compost. covered with a plastic bag for a couple of weeks. now about 4 weeks on there is definite signs fof growth! can't believe how easy it was!

[Two_Sheds]

I prefer spur cuttings.

I tried that - didn't work for me.

I stick 'em in a jar of water till they root. Never had a problem yet.

That doesn't work for me either. I can do lavender, no probs

[Rhona]

Water never works for me. I stick rosemary in potting compost and keep well watered. I've got a couple on the go at the moment. They started producing new white roots after about two weeks.

[kirsty b]

I cut a load of sprigs about 6" long. Stick them in multi purpose compost in a pot. Stick pot in a bag and leave alone for a few weeks.

Am giving my pot to a colleague, so will be doing more soon.