Rosemary

[berksmike]

I have an established Rosemary plant and fancy taking some cuttings...
Anyone got any advice?

Mike

[TPeers]

Hi Mike,

According to my book (RHS Propogating Plants), you can take heeled cuttings in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in summer or try for a mound layer in summer.

Mound layering is the easiest in my view, simply bend a branch down so that some of last years growth is touching the ground, weight it with something and cover with soil. Leave until next spring, dig up, should have roots and be a baby plant.

Have fun!

Terry

[Earthbabe]

Hi Mike I've usually found that taking a cutting and putting it straight in some compost works fine. Just choose a healthy looking fairly new piece of growth.

This technique has also served me well with lavender and helichrysum italicum (curry plant) and hyssop.

[berksmike]

Thanks everyone..

Will give it a go...

[Birdie Wife]

Don't let the cuttings or the plants that strike get cold and damp, they hate it. Keep the compost free draining and plant out in late spring. I had som cuttings that took really well, I planted them out in autumn and they're looking rather sickly now - I think they'll recover, but it'll be a while yet.

[yoanbob]

so whats semi ripe?
would like to take some cuttings from a rosemary asap, cant do the bending branch thing because of where it is.
thanks

[has-bean]

Wish I had known this yesterday. I use loads of Rosemary in cooking drinks and even in bath so had to buy some new plants as my supply is looking a bit bare will try the cuttings and branch bending techniques i think

[Earthbabe]

so whats semi ripe?
would like to take some cuttings from a rosemary asap, cant do the bending branch thing because of where it is.
thanks

Something to do with last years late wood I think. I generally take cuttings of quite young bits about 3-4" long, strip back the bottom few leaves and shove in a pot of compost. It generally seems to work for rosemary, lavender, sage and hyssop. I have asked PW for a growing techniques thingy on cuttings but I expect he has been busy. (Hint! Hint!)

[Flummery]

If you take them in July on soft but bendy wood it'll be semi-ripe. I've done this with 5 or 6 round a 3" pot - general purpose compost with a bit of extra grit - I got 4 rooting. Easy-peasy - I have brown fingers usually when it comes to cuttings! My plants in the garden came from cuttings of a cutting our friend's late dad gave us about 25 years ago.

[johnty greentoes]

Yep - I've been ending the life of a large woody plant this week by taking cuttings and I usually find that they take fine at this time of the year in a good quality compost.

Rosemary is such a beautiful herb isn't it.

[Raised Beds]

Rosemary is indeed a beautiful herb.

To get a new seedling going I bend down a branch and pinned it down with a wooden peg. In no rush and after awhile cut it off from the main branch.The cutting is growing well.

[blue-and-green]

i have a lovely rosemary plant in full sun and last year i took loads of cuttings successfully, id say 8/10. its in full bloom at them moment and been used loads in summer and winter for meat dishes. i shall plant the cuttings from last year soon and looking forward to several more of these plants. happy days!!