Problems with growing Rosemary

[vixylix]

Hello all,

Does anyone else have trouble growing Rosemary?

I am trying for the first time this year and seriously struggling. Over the last few months I have sown circa 50 Rosemary seeds at different times and finally managed to get two to germinate (hard work!!). However, they are still miniscule, almost microscopic and dont seem to be growing! I moved them into a bigger pot and they seemed to grow a teeny bit but then stopped again and I fear they may now be starting to turn brown (think dead christmas tree)

Does anyone have any tips for what I'm doing wrong?!

For clarity I realise it is essentially a bush plant so didnt expect it to grow too fast, however its been nearly 4 months!

Thanks

[veggiechicken]

If you buy a plant from a supermarket you have a head start. Take cuttings from it and grow them on. Even the cut sprigs they sell will root easily in water. Much quicker than sowing seeds.

[Sharpy]

Totally agree. We purchased a plant last year, and although it initially struggled, this year it has gone from strength to strength. Also a tarragon one which i thought had died, was cut back to ground level in the Autumn and more the tripled its size.

[Ding Dang Doo]

Mine struggled for a couple of years, but this year it is doing really well.

It could be because I've started watering it at the same time as my strawberries, and there is tomato food in the water?

[Potstubsdustbins]

I too do not grow from seed. I bought a plant some time ago and when it got very woody I did a VC took a cutting rooted it in water and bob's your auntie new plant.

[Glutton4...]

You can always 'drop' your old Rosmary, Potty! Dig a deep hole and drop it in, so,only the nice bit remains above ground. Like Willow, it will put out roots up the stem, and just keep right on growing, unlike most other plants.

[Jay-ell]

Got a near death freebie rescue plant from a garden centre which is now thriving. I too have found in the past that cuttings take well.


There's an old idea that if the rosemary at a house is growing well then the husband is henpecked. I can imagine all these husbands trying to beat the rosemary bush to death in order to save their reputations.

[vixylix]

Thanks all - I just happened to discover a Rosemary plant 'by accident' in B&Q yesterday so it is currently sat waiting to be re-potted. My other half rolled his eyes at yet another plant pot taking up his decking space so I won't tell him that part Jay-ell!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

#6 Sounds like a good idea G4, I only have one problem to 'drop' the plant I would have to knock the bottom out of one of my few nice containers.

[danmow]

Hey Vix,

Can I just ask out of curiosity, what conditions are you germinating in? I know that rosemary seeds have a low germination rate and hate moist soil.

[Snadger]

I found 'heel' cuttings take best!

[Ms-T]

Could you tell me what a 'heel' cutting is,please ...thanks

[Martin H]

It's where instead of cutting the shoot off the parent plant, you pull it off so that it has a piece of older wood or bark at the base. With some plants this makes them root more easily, mostly for semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

What are you trying to take cuttings from?

[Ms-T]

Thank you .trying to take cutting from a rosemary.

[dru`s haven]

oh i wished this had been on here yesterday i threw my rosemary ,she looked dead to me i bought a few herbs from a supermarket ans the mint and rosemary were the only survivors but now rosemary has gone in the bin ,and i think i made a mistake oh well live and learn ... know for next time
good old mint thriving lost oregano, thyme ,rosemary