Rosemary (Rosmarinus) is an evergreen subshrub plant of the Lamiaceae family.
In the natural environment, rosemary lives in North Africa (Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Morocco), Cyprus, Turkey and European countries (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, France, in the former Yugoslavia).
History of the name and useful properties
WITH Latin language The name of the plant translates as sea freshness. But the aroma of rosemary combines the smell of pine and camphor, so the Greek name is closer to the truth, meaning balsam bush.
It is the aroma that makes rosemary famous. It is included in a bunch of spices (a bunch of fragrant herbs or a bouquet of garni), as well as in a collection of Provençal herbs. It is added to drinks and marinades. The tops of fresh shoots become a seasoning for soups, meat dishes, eggplants, legumes. Rosemary is a close relative of hyssop, basil, lavender, mint, thyme, oregano, lemon balm, and mint.
Signs and superstitions about rosemary
Students Ancient Greece They wore rosemary wreaths on their heads because they believed it improved memory. It was also considered a symbol of marital fidelity. Used in rituals: weddings, burials, church decoration, seances and other magical acts. Due to their disinfectant properties, plants were used to purify the air in medical institutions.
The plant is thermophilic - it overwinters in open ground only in regions with a mild climate. Container and pot growing is suitable for cold areas.
Growing rosemary from seeds
Possibly seed and vegetative propagation(cuttings, layering, dividing the bush).
- Plant rosemary for seedlings in late February-early March.
- Pre-soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours.
- At the bottom of the container for planting, place a drainage layer consisting of expanded clay and pieces of polystyrene foam (it should occupy 1/3 of the container).
- The soil needs to be nutritious, moisture-permeable, and loose. This can be a universal peat-based substrate or a mixture of sand and vermiculite or peat with leaf compost.
Distribute the seeds over the surface (you can first air dry them a little until they flow), sprinkle with soil, and moisten by spraying with a fine spray. Cover the crops with film or glass. Germinate at a temperature of 25-30 ºC.
Ventilate the greenhouse and periodically moisten the soil. Shoots will appear in 1.5-2 months. Remove the cover and provide bright, indirect lighting. When young plants reach a height of 7-8 cm, they can be planted in separate containers or in open ground.
Propagation of rosemary by cuttings
Rosemary cuttings photo of cuttings rooted in water
- spend in September-October.
- From annual shoots, cut pieces 8-10 cm long. They should contain 3-4 internodes.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom and keep the cuttings in a growth stimulator.
- Root in light, loose soil with good drainage or water.
- Provide warmth and bright light without direct sunlight sun rays, maintain soil moisture. After new leaves appear, you can plant them.
Reproduction by layering
Reproduction is a fairly simple method. Tilt the shoot towards the ground, secure it with staples, cover it with earth, leaving the top above the soil surface. Water along with the main plant. When the top begins to grow, you can separate it from the bush and replant it.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Indoor rosemary is most often propagated. Remove the bush from the soil, divide it into several parts: each section should contain a developed rhizome and shoots. Treat the cut areas with a fungicide and plant the cuttings.
How to grow rosemary at home
Landing
How to grow rosemary on a windowsill? Nothing could be simpler! Plant rosemary in a pot (preferably clay) 9-11 cm in diameter with good drainage holes. Place a drainage layer of pebbles on the bottom.
Priming
The soil must be water- and breathable. You can mix a universal substrate with sand and vermiculite. The following mixture is suitable: 2 parts each of leaf soil, turf soil, humus with the addition of 1 part sand. Moisten the soil, make a hole in it the size of the seedling's root system, place it in a pot, add soil, compact it a little.
Where to put
The best place for the plant will be a southern windowsill. Rotate the rosemary pot 180º weekly to ensure even light.
Air temperature and watering
Ventilate the room regularly, but keep it away from drafts.
In spring and summer, place it on the balcony, terrace, or in the garden. Return to the room with the air temperature reduced to - 1 ºC. IN winter time Maintain the air temperature no higher than 16 ºC.
Maintain constant soil moisture, but without stagnant water. A lack of water is indicated by yellowing of the leaves along the lower part of the plant, and excess moisture causes the leaves to drop. Water with settled water at room temperature. Water should not get on the leaves - they can become moldy.
What and how to feed
During active growth(March-September) apply mineral fertilizers, focusing on calcium. Feed every 2 weeks. You can fertilize in winter, but only once every 1-1.5 months.
How to form a rosemary bonsai
The plant tolerates formative pruning well and can be changed in shape, which is actively used by lovers of the bonsai style. Therefore, you, too, can create an unusual tree that attracts attention with its special charm.
- Take a thick wire and wrap it around the central shoot of the plant, creating bends and slopes.
- Form the plant into one shoot to create a mini-tree.
- Trim and bend as you see fit as you grow.
- When the trunk reaches the desired height, the tops are cut off, stimulating the forcing of side shoots. This results in a dense crown on the side branches of the central shoot.
- When the branches become woody, the wires can be removed and care can continue only by pruning, giving the plant a compact appearance.
Planting and caring for rosemary in open ground
When and how to plant
- Plant in open ground in the second half of May.
- Choose an area with bright sunlight and protection from strong winds.
- The soil needs to be loose, light, well-drained.
Dig holes according to the size of the root system, place the seedlings, add soil, and compact them a little. The seedling should be at the same depth as before. Maintain a distance of 10 cm between plants, about 50 cm for large bushes. A week after planting, pinch the tops of the shoots to stimulate tillering.
Watering and loosening the soil
Water sparingly, avoiding water getting on the leaves. Lack or excess of moisture manifests itself in the same way as at home.
After watering, loosen the soil. Remove weeds.
Feeding
The plant requires feeding. Apply nitrogen fertilizer in the spring. During the growing season, apply complex fertilizers monthly mineral fertilizers. In the fall, eliminate the nitrogen component by increasing the dose of phosphorus.
Trimming
How to prune rosemary photo
Pruning begins at the age of 2 years.
- In April, prune upright growing bushes at a height of 3-4 internodes of last year's growth.
- Prostrate rosemary is not pruned.
- Every 7 years, rejuvenation should be carried out: cut off all shoots, leaving a short stump.
- Formative pruning is carried out in the spring. Can be given to the bush various shapes: cube, ball, broom-shaped, mini-tree.
Wintering in the Moscow region and the middle zone
In northern regions and areas with a temperate climate, transplant into a container for wintering and keep in a room with an air temperature no higher than 16 ºC. If the climate is mild or a warm winter is expected (rosemary's frost resistance is up to -15°C), cut the bush at the level of the soil surface, cover it with leaves, dry sawdust, cover it with spruce branches, building something like a tent.
If you decide to free the area from rosemary, onions, garlic, and carrots will grow in this place instead.
Diseases and pests
The plant is extremely resistant to diseases and pests, both in room conditions, and the garden.
From high humidity air may be affected by downy mildew - remove the affected areas and treat with a fungicide.
Possible damage from aphids, spider mites, and whitewings - treat with an insecticide.
Types and varieties of rosemary with photos and names
In the natural environment, there are only 3-4 types of rosemary. Two are cultivated with several varieties.
Common rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis or rosemary officinalis
The height of the bush is 0.5-2 m. The root system is powerful, penetrating 3-4 m deep. The shoots are tetrahedral, pubescent at a young age, light gray in color, and over time they become woody, acquire a dark gray tint, and the bark peels off. The leaf blades are leathery, sessile, linear, the edges are curved down. The leaf length is 3.5 cm, width is about 4 mm. Rosemary blooms in summer. Flowers of light purple, dark purple, and white colors are collected in dense paniculate inflorescences.
Varieties:
Miss Jessopp’s Upright (Fastiguatus) – flowers have a soft blue color;
Benenden Blue – rosemary with arched shoots, flowers of a bluish tint;
Albiflorus – has white flowers;
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Roseus’
Roseus – pink flowers;
Severn Sea and Tuscan Blue - plant height is about 50 cm.
Prostrate rosemary Rosmarinus prostratus
The evergreen subshrub grows up to 0.5 m tall and grows 1.5 m wide. The leaves look like pine needles. The flowers are blue or lilac. Grown as a ground cover.
Medicinal properties
Rosemary oil is a valuable drug used to treat skin diseases (furunculosis and acne, eczema), and wound healing.
Infusions, tinctures, and decoctions of rosemary are taken as an antioxidant, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, and tonic. Rosemary is used to treat some heart diseases, colds, and obesity. Taking rosemary preparations helps strengthen and rejuvenate the body.
Contraindications: pregnancy, children under 9 years of age, epilepsy, hypertension, tendency to seizures, increased skin sensitivity.
Every 2 years In summer 20-25, in winter 8-10 When upper layer the soil has dried out by 3-4 cm, during the dormant period no more than once a week Does not need Bright sunlight, at least 4 hours a day
Lighting
Let's look at how to grow rosemary at home.
The plant is very demanding on lighting. For its active growth and flowering, direct sunlight is required for at least 4 hours a day. The rest of the time, intense diffused light will do.
Lighting for rosemary should be intense both during the growing season and flowering, and during the cold wintering.
With insufficient winter light, the plant's shoots become elongated, the density of its leaves decreases, and in the spring it does not lay buds. You can read about the use of artificial lighting.
Temperature
In summer, the plant is kept at 20-25ºС. It is advisable to avoid sudden changes in temperature. In the warm season, rosemary can withstand temperatures down to 15ºC without harm. Therefore, as soon as warm weather sets in, it can be taken out into the air or planted in open ground.
With the onset of autumn, you need to monitor the temperature regime of rosemary.
If night cold snaps become more significant, and the temperature often drops below 5ºC, the plant must be brought indoors. Rosemary does not like frost; at a temperature of -5ºC it freezes. In winter it is kept at a low temperature of 8-10ºС.
Watering
This plant loves moderate but regular watering. Do not allow the earthen ball to dry out completely. Between waterings, only its upper part should dry out by 3-4 cm.
Excess moisture should not stagnate in the soil This requires good drainage. Usually, in hot summers, rosemary is watered 2 times a week, and in spring and autumn - once a week.
During the winter dormant period, plants are watered much less frequently. At low air temperatures, stagnation of moisture in the pot is very dangerous. The soil must be kept moist. Water the bush no more than once every 2 weeks, and sometimes less often.
The soil for growing rosemary should be rich in humus and minerals, but very loose.
For rosemary, choose slightly acidic or neutral soil. The plant does not tolerate very acidic soils with a high peat content.
It is best to mix the soil for the plant yourself. To do this, peat, sand, humus, leaf and turf soil are mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1:2:2.
Fertilizer
The plant is fed from the beginning of March to the end of September. During this period, the soil is fertilized 2 times a month.
To feed rosemary at home, use liquid complex fertilizers. In winter, during the dormant period, fertilizing is not carried out.
Using liquid fertilizers for indoor plants, they need to be diluted with water according to the instructions on the package.
The solution is applied only to moist soil a few hours after watering. Once a season, the plant can be fed with organic fertilizers - mullein solution.
Humidity
The shrub tolerates lack of moisture in the soil and air well. There is no need to specially humidify the air when growing it indoors.
There is no need for procedures such as spraying or washing the plant in the shower. This can be done very occasionally to remove dust from the leaves of the plant.
The flower grows well when low humidity. Spraying for him can only be a hygienic procedure. The plant does not need air humidification in this way.
Sometimes in very hot summers rosemary is sprayed, which has a beneficial effect on its appearance.. To do this, take settled water for irrigation; it should be 2-3 degrees warmer than the surrounding air.
Trimming / Support / Garter
When growing rosemary indoors, it is important to prune the plant.
To form beautiful plant A rosemary bush is necessary annually. Pruning is done in February or early March.
All branches that grew last year are pruned by 2/3 so that they begin to actively grow side shoots. It is advisable to thin out very overgrown dense bushes by cutting out branches that greatly thicken the crown.
In addition to formative pruning, old bushes are rejuvenated by cutting out all the old branches, leaving only the young ones growing from the lower part of the trunk. This pruning is carried out if there are a lot of old branches on the bush that are losing their leaves and becoming bare.
Anti-aging pruning of rosemary is carried out no more than once every 7 years in early spring.
Large dense bushes are pruned during flowering to obtain medicinal raw materials. In this case, young flowering shoots with leaves are cut, which are then dried and used for medicinal purposes.
Diseases
Let's look at rosemary diseases indoors and how to care for a sick plant.
The most common rosemary is false powdery mildew. This fungus covers the leaves and shoots of the plant with a white coating. The disease develops only with high humidity.
To cure it, it is enough to follow the correct watering regime, keep the plant in a dry atmosphere and periodically ventilate the room.
Of all the pests of indoor and garden plants Only spider mites and scale insects can live on rosemary. These insects arrive on the bush in the summer and overwinter indoors. They feed on the sap, weakening the plant and spoiling its appearance. Timely treatment with insecticides will help completely destroy pests.
Problems
Growing rosemary at home in a pot can be problematic. When caring for rosemary indoors, problems rarely arise. Sometimes yellowing and falling of the lower leaves are observed. Also, in some cases, the leaves of the plant lose color.
Reproduction
Rosemary in apartment conditions can be grown by sowing seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. Propagation by seeds is the most difficult and time-consuming method. Therefore, in indoor culture, vegetative methods of propagation are used.
Let's study the propagation of rosemary by cuttings at home.
Rosemary cuttings are cut in April-May from the youngest shoots. Their length should be at least 5 cm. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings and their moistened lower part is dipped in a root formation stimulator. Then they are planted in a container with moistened soil.
The cuttings are periodically sprayed and moistened the soil in the container. After 2-3 weeks they develop roots.
After this, the young plants are transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of no more than 9 cm.
Divide very large rosemary bushes during transplantation. Their root system is divided so that several growth points remain on each part. The delenki are planted in separate pots and cared for as usual.
Growing from seeds at home
At home, rosemary can be grown from seeds quite easily. The seeds of this plant are often sold in specialized flower shops. It is necessary to buy them with a reserve, since a significant part of them may not germinate at all. Sowing is carried out in early spring at the end of March or beginning of April.
Before sowing, the seeds need to be soaked for 1-2 days in a warm, but not hot water . While they are absorbing water, you can start purchasing a soil mixture and a container for growing seedlings.
Typically, rosemary seeds are sown in a container about 15 cm high.
It is advisable that it have drainage holes, since seedlings do not tolerate stagnant water.
Before planting rosemary in a pot, you need to prepare the container and soil.
You can also sow the seeds in small flower pots. A drainage layer of pieces of foam plastic is placed on their bottom.
The soil for sowing should be very loose and light. A mixture of peat and leaf soil in equal parts or coniferous soil is suitable.
The container is filled with substrate and moistened with a sprayer. Seeds are placed on the surface of the soil and sprinkled with a thin layer of earth or coarse sand. Then the container is covered with film or glass and placed in a warm place with an air temperature of 25-30°C.
Rosemary seeds germinate within a few weeks. Before emergence, the crops are ventilated daily for 10-15 minutes. With the appearance of sprouts, the film is removed for more long time. 2-3 weeks after germination, the container can already be opened completely.
Rosemary sprouts require good indirect lighting and regular moderate watering. It is recommended to transplant them into separate pots only in the second year of life.
Transfer
Indoor rosemary every 2 years. This plant has a powerful root system that grows quickly. To make the plant look compact and not need a very large pot, it is recommended to trim its root system when replanting.
For rosemary, the best is a ceramic pot, in which the soil dries evenly. Its depth and width should be the same.
A drainage layer 3-4 cm thick is laid on the bottom from broken shards. The pot size is chosen 1-2 cm wider than the previous one.
The plant is removed from the old pot and some of the soil is shaken off the roots so that the length of the root system becomes visible. After this, the roots are trimmed so that they fit freely in the new pot.
The plant is placed in a new pot and the roots are sprinkled with new soil, and then it is pressed down a little. After transplantation, the plant is not watered for 2 days.
Now you know everything about planting, caring for and growing rosemary from seeds at home.
Fans of apothecary gardens and natural culinary seasonings should turn their attention to rosemary. Growing at home in a pot will require knowledge of the characteristics of this plant, but as a result you will be provided with valuable herbs all year round. Rosemary leaves, shoots and flowers contain essential oils that have unique beneficial properties. Rosemary infusion and decoction are used for headaches, stomach problems, colds, women's diseases, as a tonic for low energy.
Fresh and dried leaves are widely used for flavoring confectionery products, olive oil, vinegar, alcoholic beverages. The unique coniferous aroma of rosemary with bitter citrus notes will turn any dish of vegetables, meat or fish into a culinary masterpiece. And all this can easily be provided by one rosemary bush in a pot on your windowsill. It remains to learn more about this ancient culture.
Description of the plant
Rosemary is native to the arid mountainous regions of North Africa and southern Europe. It is not found in the wild in Russia; it is widely cultivated in Crimea to obtain valuable essential oil. belongs to the long-lived shrubs of the Lamiaceae family. Narrow evergreen leaves, similar to conifer needles, are located on tetrahedral branches, the ends of which are crowned with blue-violet flowers.
This plant is not an indoor plant, so to grow rosemary at home in a pot, it is better to purchase a young seedling from a specialized store.
What conditions does rosemary need?
To successfully breed this crop, you need to know its growing conditions and try to recreate them at home. This:
- strong lighting;
- low temperature without sudden changes;
- fresh air;
- absence of drafts;
- moderate humidity.
In conditions central heating the plant needs regular spraying, as in dry air it begins to shed its leaves.
Planting rosemary
Rosemary has an extensive root system. A large clay pot is suitable for it. Ceramics does not heat up in the sun and retains optimal temperature root system. Drainage from small fractions of expanded clay, broken shards, and pebbles is placed at the bottom of the pot. The drainage height can reach up to a quarter of the height of the pot. On top of it, a small layer of vermiculite will be useful, which perfectly regulates the moisture of the earthen clod.
The soil for growing rosemary in a pot should be light, well structured and contain a large number of coarse sand, fine gravel; neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. It is prepared from the following ingredients:
- 1 part of turf land;
- 1 part ;
- 1 part coarse sand or vermiculite.
Since peat is acidic, ash is added to alkalize the soil.
A little soil is poured over the drainage so that the root collar is slightly below the sides. The plant is placed on the ground, the roots are straightened and carefully sprinkled with soil along the edges of the container. The soil is lightly compacted and watered until it settles.
A few days after planting, you should add a little more soil so that the roots are not exposed.
Young plants are replanted annually in early spring, then once every two years.
Caring for rosemary in a pot
In order for rosemary at home in a pot to bloom in the spring, it is important to provide it with a period of rest. In winter, the most suitable temperature for it is 10-13°C. The bush is watered moderately with settled water, do not forget to spray it and keep it on a sunny windowsill. In the spring, after transplantation, when the seedling begins to grow, the watering rate is increased and they begin to feed it once every two weeks with complex mineral fertilizers.
During the growing season, a pot of rosemary is taken out to the balcony, loggia, or transported to the dacha. On cold nights, it is advisable to bring it into the house, since rosemary does not like sudden temperature changes.
Pests and diseases of rosemary
This plant is quite resistant to various diseases and pests. However, when the air is very dry, subtle cobwebs may appear on the stems and leaves - these are spider mites. For minor damage, soapy water can be used to moisten the entire above-ground part of the bush. If the tick has managed to multiply greatly, any insecticide - Fitoverm or Actellik - will help.
If there is insufficient watering, the lower leaves of rosemary begin to turn yellow, and if too much, they fall off. Bringing your watering schedule back to normal will eliminate these symptoms.
Subject to these simple rules growing rosemary at home in a pot will turn into exciting activity, and the caring owner will be rewarded with a large number of aromatic spicy leaves for cooking delicious dishes and maintaining health without pills.
Growing rosemary - video
Our ancestors also grew rosemary in a pot in their homes or on personal plots. It belongs to evergreen plants. It was previously used as a spice and to treat many diseases.
Currently, rosemary is not as popular as in the old days. It is rare to find this plant at home. Perhaps because it is not as beautiful as other indoor flowers, or because it is difficult to grow. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to solve the question of how to grow rosemary yourself?
Homemade rosemary
Only one species of this plant can be propagated at home, which is called aromatic rosemary. But even in this case, it will take time and some effort to grow it.
If you have enough willpower and desire, then you should get down to business. This is a very pampered flower; it requires constant attention and careful care. If you deviate even slightly from the rules, the plant will disappear, or its branches will stretch out ugly. Professional gardeners advise growing rosemary in conditions winter gardens. But if you really want to grow it at home, then you can get started.
Features of cultivation
Start by studying the characteristics of this culture. This way, it will be easier to find out what has a beneficial effect on the plant and what can harm it. Homemade rosemary develops quickly, as does its root system. Therefore, when planting a small plant, take a large pot. In this case, the soil is either renewed or completely replaced. A new drainage is laid out at the bottom of the pot.
The next step is to establish correct mode temperature. You may have to constantly move the pot of rosemary from one place to another. For example, in winter it is best to move the crop to a cool place, for example, to a balcony, where there is no central heating. In this case, rosemary will need additional artificial light.
In summer, it is also better to keep the plant on the balcony. It is there that the flower will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight and air currents. It is recommended, if possible, to export rosemary to country cottage area.
At home, the plant must be watered systematically. In winter, the soil is moistened only when necessary.
Take care of the rosemary’s neighbors, remove those from its environment that cannot tolerate the pungent odor.
Rosemary itself can get along with anyone indoor flower. An excellent addition to it would be tomatoes, sage and even any greens planted nearby. Caring for rosemary is a painstaking task.
Planting rosemary in a pot
At home, rosemary can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Doing so better in spring, in April or May. In winter, the likelihood that the plant will take root is extremely low. It is worth considering each method of planting rosemary.
Growing rosemary at home from seeds.
This process is labor-intensive, but you can try, the more joy you will have when the plant takes root. You can buy seeds in specialized stores. Due to their small size, they must first be prepared for planting:
- 3-4 days before planting the seeds, place them in damp gauze, which you have previously folded several times. Moisten the gauze daily using a spray bottle.
- Then the seeds are sown in the ground evenly spaced. A thin layer of earth is sprinkled on top.
- It is not advisable to water so as not to wash away the top layer of soil. Use the same spray bottle. After this, the soil is covered with a film in which small holes have been previously made for air ventilation.
- Pots are placed in warm room, where the temperature is +16-20°C. The soil is moistened moderately daily.
- In a month you will notice sprouts; now you can remove the film and move the pots to a lighted place.
After the sprouts have grown stronger, transplant them into separate pots. Do not plant more than 2 seedlings in 1 pot, otherwise as the rosemary grows, they will strangle each other with their root system.
Growing a crop with seeds is a very labor-intensive task and does not always give a positive result. Sometimes there are too few shoots. This happens for several reasons:
- due to poor soil;
- due to excessive watering or, conversely, lack of moisture;
- at room temperature air above +20ºС;
- if the seeds are of poor quality.
Don't worry about this, you have several attempts to grow rosemary. Otherwise, you can use another method of propagating the plant.
Rosemary: propagation by cuttings.
They can also be purchased at the store or prepared independently. Rosemary is propagated by cuttings as follows:
- To do this, woody branches up to 10 cm in size are cut from an adult plant.
- Planting is carried out in the spring, and in warm climates it can be done in the fall.
- Remove the leaves from the cutting and place it in soil that has been previously moistened.
This method of planting has a main drawback: the cutting may die even before roots appear in it. Most often this happens if you overdo it with watering.
The advantage of this method is that you can plant several cuttings at a time and, perhaps, at least 1 of them will take root.
Diseases and pests
Usually the plant is almost not exposed to diseases and pests. This is due to the fact that rosemary can germinate both in an apartment and in an open space. But in unprotected soil, the crop may die. The exception is warm countries where rosemary can grow without any additional conditions.
If you find thin cobwebs on the leaves of a plant, you should know that it has been attacked spider mite. In this case, all the leaves of the plant are washed soap solution and then dried. In case of severe infection, use chemicals.
If a plant is attacked by powdery mildew, it is not so easy to detect it at first glance, this is due to the fact that rosemary leaves are covered with small hairs. For this reason, the culture often dies. Inspect indoor plant If you notice darkened or dried leaves, then the cause is most likely powdery mildew.
Thus, rosemary can be both a house flower and it is suitable for planting in open areas. Despite the expense and effort, you will eventually be able to enjoy the look of this plant. In addition, rosemary is used as a spice, and in some cases it will help cope with a number of diseases. But remember that in order for the plant to serve you for a long time, you need to constantly care for your rosemary.
Rosemary is a houseplant especially for lovers of living medicines grown at home. Why did this modest building become so famous? appearance plant and why is it necessary to grow rosemary at home in a pot? Probably, the synonyms of its name will slightly lift the veil of mystery of this plant.
This shrub has been known since biblical times and is popularly called:
- pharmaceutical rosemary;
- rosemary;
- wedding color;
- incense herb.
The last name of rosemary is associated with a very pleasant aroma that comes from the bush, significantly intensifying during the flowering period. The smell of rosemary not only aromatizes the air with a mixture of its essential oils, but is also an excellent medicine used in the state pharmacopoeia, the cosmetic industry and in everyday life as a medicinal and culinary remedy.
Rosemary - home psychotherapist
Aromatherapists believe that rosemary essential oils have unique properties of influencing the human psyche:
- help people with loss of smell;
- improve/sharpen/restore memory (to better remember the oral lectures of their mentors, students of Ancient Greece wore rosemary wreaths);
- influence the improvement of concentration and mental acuity;
- balance the nervous system;
- relieve psychological problems.
According to popular belief, rosemary essential oils:
- protected from the plague;
- drove away evil spirits;
- protected from infectious epidemics (they always had a bouquet of rosemary with them);
- brought back youth;
- developed extrasensory abilities.
Rosemary in medical practice
Rosemary oil
Medicinal dried rosemary
Rosemary leaves chemical composition contain 2.5% essential oils, 7% camphor, flavonoids, tannins (8%), alkaloids (0.5%), choline, betulin, verbenone, nicotinamide and whole line organic acids, including:
- ursol;
- glycolic;
- nicotine;
- coffee;
- caprylic;
- myristic;
- palmitic
- rosemary
A significant part of the listed acids have antifungal and antibacterial activity.
The beneficial components of rosemary include more than 9 vitamins and about 11 micro and macroelements.
Of particular value to doctors are essential oils, which contain:
- Camphor component is part of drugs that relieve muscle pain and muscle tension during intense sports training. Helps eliminate cramps. Used as a rub for rheumatism. A good choleretic agent.
- Cineol component is an integral part of many inhalation medications for catarrh. It has good antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
- Verbenone component– is included in antitussive drugs as an expectorant. It thins mucus well. Used for sluggish and insufficient digestion. Regenerates liver cells, has a positive effect on sexual problems. One of best oils in cosmetology.
Useful and medicinal properties can't be counted. Rosemary is used in formulations medicines in the treatment of more than 80 diseases. The above properties of rosemary should influence your decision to supplement your indoor flower garden with this valuable plant.
Growing rosemary at home in a pot
- Only one type of rosemary, known as rosemary officinalis or fragrant.
- Rosemary is not a houseplant, so initially it is better to buy a potted specimen at a specialty store rather than asking for a small cutting from neighbors and friends.
Environment Requirement
The plant belongs to the group of light-loving plants. For successful cultivation maximum lighting is required and it is better to place the plant on the south side. The more sun, the stronger the aroma of the flower. With insufficient lighting, rosemary stops growing, the shoots become thin, break easily, and the foliage falls off.
He is not demanding high temperatures, therefore, it can be placed on window sills, special stands near windows, on the balcony, in winter garden. It continues its development and flowering painlessly when the temperature drops to +12°C. Does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations.
Rosemary is a big fan of clean air. He needs frequent ventilation of the room, but without drafts
To get abundant flowering the next winter, rosemary should be kept in a cool, but very bright (if necessary, backlit) room.
Under natural conditions, rosemary is a coastal plant, so at home it reacts sharply to the level of humidity in the room. To preserve the decorative appearance of the plant when placed near hot radiators, you need a flower spray systematically, sometimes 2-3 times a day. Constantly refresh the air around the plant by spraying it with a spray bottle and install air humidifiers near the radiators.
Indoor temperature requirements
Rosemary grows well, develops, blooms and forms fruits and seeds at moderate temperatures. In summer +12..+20°С, in winter more moderate temperatures are required temperature conditions.
With the onset of the cold period, the air temperature is maintained within +10..+15°C. If the plants are illuminated during this period, they will begin to form young shoots, which will allow harvesting all year round.
Dishes for rosemary
When planting a purchased rosemary bush or replanting a grown one, you must carefully select the appropriate containers. It is best to use terracotta pots.
Rosemary also feels normal in other pots from natural materials– clay, ceramic. They do not heat up in the sun and maintain a cool temperature inside well.
- The pot must be high, as rosemary develops a large root system.
- Place drainage at the bottom (1/4 of the height of the pot) made of pebbles, expanded clay, and other materials.
- It is good to add agrovermiculite to the drainage layer, which will take away excess moisture and gradually give it to the plant.
Soil composition
The soil for rosemary should be light, water- and breathable, well-structured, with a high content of sand and fine gravel, which can be replaced with perlite or agrovermiculite. Rosemary does not tolerate acidity. For him perfect option– neutral or slightly alkaline soil with pH = 6-7.5 units. The soil substrate can be purchased ready-made or prepared independently from the following components:
- turf soil - 1 part;
- sand or agrovermiculite – 1 part;
- peat - 1 part.
Some gardeners use 0.5 peat and 0.5 humus soil. Compositions can also be made from other components, if the basic requirements for their properties are met.
Planting or replanting is carried out according to the same rules as other indoor decorative foliage crops with a large root system.
Caring for rosemary in pots
When growing rosemary at home in a pot, you must follow certain care rules, which consist of watering, fertilizing, providing conditions for flowering and winter “vacations” and other concerns.
Watering
Translated into Russian, rosemary has several names: “sea dew”, “freshness of the sea”, “bush balm”. The largest natural plantings of rosemary grow on the seashore, constantly washed by spray sea foam.
The names of the flower associated with the sea come from the ancient Greeks, who dedicated rosemary, born from sea foam to the blue-eyed Aphrodite. And today there is a popular belief that rosemary brings happiness to the house, its aroma eliminates nightmares and evil dreams, preserves youth and health.
In potted plants, rosemary needs abundant watering, but without stagnation of water. It can easily tolerate some soil aridity, but during prolonged drought it can die irrevocably.
The main signs of violation of the irrigation regime are:
- yellowing of leaves due to lack of moisture;
- dropping leaves due to overwatering.
The next watering is carried out if the top layer of soil has dried out by 2 phalanges index finger. The soil should be normally moist (not wet or dry). Watering is best done 3-4 times a month at moderate rates in the summer and once a month in the winter.
Feeding
To form a large leaf mass and abundant flowering There are not enough soil reserves in the pot, so Rosemary needs to be fertilized systematically using mineral and organic fertilizers. Fertilizers are applied in the form of solutions 2 times a month along with watering. After water is absorbed, the soil is mulched.
For fertilizing, it is best to purchase ready-made solutions in the store. complex fertilizers and use them according to recommendations.
- Recommended doses should be halved. Rosemary does not like overfeeding.
- In winter, rosemary is not fed.
Rosemary needs a higher calcium content in the soil, so you can add it to the water for irrigation once a month. baking soda at the rate of 1/3 teaspoon per 1 liter of water.
Since the leaves and young twigs are used in seasonings for meat and vegetables, and added to salads, there is no need to fertilize with mineral fertilizers or self-prepared mixtures. At home, it is more practical to fertilize rosemary with organic solutions, dissolving dessert spoon bird droppings without top for 1 liter of water.
The result of proper and timely feeding is the appearance in spring and summer of blue, blue, violet, lilac, pale crimson, and less often white zygomorphic flowers.
- During the flowering period, rosemary becomes very beautiful, all its decorative charm is revealed, complemented by a magical aroma.
- If, with the onset of spring and after fertilizing, rosemary does not form flowers, it is best to transplant it into another substrate, which will certainly contain turf, leaf soil, humus and a little peat with sand.
- In order not to guess whether it will bloom or not, it is better to replant it annually in spring into fresh, disinfected soil in compliance with all replanting requirements.
Rosemary propagation
Rosemary at home growing You can propagate it yourself in a pot seeds or, more simply, vegetatively young cuttings. Cuttings are carried out at the end of June, when the shoots at the base become woody. They are ready to take root.
Rules for preparing and rooting cuttings:
- cuttings are cut 8-10 cm long;
- they must have 3 internodes;
- the lower end of the cutting is cut obliquely at an angle of 45 degrees;
- the cuttings are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place in the solution for 10-15 minutes;
- after disinfection, the lower part, devoid of leaves, is treated with root, dipping into powder to 3-4 mm. You can use another stimulator for the development of the root system;
- planted in a mixture of humus with perlite or agrovermiculite at a distance of 8-10 cm from each other at an angle of 10 degrees.
- cuttings are sprayed 2-3 times a day;
- the soil must be constantly moist.
Rooting takes 3 weeks. A sign that rooting was successful is the formation of young leaves. To prevent rosemary from forming a single-stemmed shoot, pinch out the top bud. This technique promotes the growth of side shoots. Over time, a decorative bush is formed. The rooted cuttings are planted in a prepared container as an adult plant.
Rosemary practically does not get sick when grown at home.
Rosemary varieties for growing at home in a pot
For potted culture, one type is usually used - rosemary officinalis. He is called fragrant or ordinary. In terms of varieties, from popular domestic varieties we can recommend:
- Tenderness;
- Veshnyakovsky Semko;
- Dewdrop;
- Lavender;
From foreign selections grow well in indoor conditions:
- Roseus;
- Albiflorus;
- Severn Sea.
Rosemary with white flowers
