Propagating Rosemary – 1 Plant and a Plethora of Babies

    Rosemary is the plant of remembrance and remembering how to propagate from it is something I hope you forget so you’ll buy more and more!!!!

     Actually at the HerbFest you find we have about 25 – 35 each, 5 or 10 gallon plants that cost about $24 - $30 each.  What most people do not realize is these are actually the “mother plants” of the $3.50 variety Rosemaries you see for sale.  In actuality you could take your own rosemary and from cuttings create thousands more as the grower does.

   Every year our grower releases to us some of the mother plants that are stored year round in one of the green houses on site that they use to propagate from.  Many of our customers actually buy them not so much to grow from but they want the immediate effect of age, shape, and “cut and eat” that night.  For many it may also be they have lost a rosemary they had nurtured and don’t want to wait around for a new 3 – 5” baby to grow and mature.  Our “American way” of “instant gratification”!!

    Rosemary is simple to propagate.  Here’s how:

1. Take a cutting from an existing plant,
2. Cut off a branch from the top that is 4 – 7” in length, avoid woody stems when you can,
3. Remove the bottom half of the leaves by simply putting fingers together and pulling down the branch,
4. Each leaf that is removed becomes an easy portal for the branch to grow roots from,
5. Place the branch in a potting mixture and cover with something like saran wrap to keep in the moisture,  Root Tone™ not necessary but can use if like,
6. For first 3-7 days keep cuttings in shaded area with possibly hint of morning sunlight and do not keep in very moist potting mix as rosemary does not like “wet feet”,
7. After 2-3 weeks remove from potting mixture and repot in separate container so roots can develop. 

Hints:

·        The potting mixture you choose will determine how often you have to water.  Some growers prefer to start the cuttings in a high moisture retention potting soil, others use simple top soil, impregnated with small rocks, or low moisture retention potting soil from the yard etc.,  but as you do more of these you will find what best suits you.

·        IF at anytime during the life of your rosemary, in pot at any stage, outside in container or heaven forbid somehow outside in ground during drought, the rosemary dries out then it’s dead.  No if’s, and’s, or but’s, it’s the way it is.  Dry then die. 

Now why would I tell you how to keep from buying from us?  Simple answer. 

    No herbanite is satisfied to have only one variety or rosemary knowing there are 100’s more so the typical HerbFest customer always looking for, and wanting to try, new varieties so nothing to worry about.

   Once you get your “Arps” variety 5 feet tall, 9 feet diameter, you’ll hear of the variety named after where it originated from, Winston Salem, N.C. and that of course is the “Salem” variety.  If you like to barbecue then why use your “Hardy Hill” rosemary but why not use the “BBQ” variety since it’s named for its woody stem which makes for a great skewer!!!

    The fun has only begun.

P.S. Did I tell you my favorite variety is “Blue Spire”?eHGer is