Rosemary is one of the most exotic plants. However, despite its origin, it is quite easy to grow it in its suburban area. This plant is distinguished by peculiar leaves that resemble conifer needles. In addition, rosemary is well known to all thanks to its aromatic and healing properties.
This spice is part of many Provencal herbs that are widely used in cooking today. In addition, rosemary is very often used in cosmetology, and in some cases, even in traditional medicine.
If we talk about planting and caring for rosemary in the open field, today many gardeners grow plants in the central part of Russia.
Spread
Rosemary is most often found in North America, Turkey, as well as in the southern parts of Europe and in Cyprus. In 1813, this unusual plant was first planted in the Crimea, or rather in the botanical garden. For a long time on the peninsula of it produced essential oils, which had healing properties and an unusual aroma.
Today, the maintenance and planting of rosemary in the open field in the middle zone of the Russian Federation does not cause difficulties. Although the plant is more like the Mediterranean climate, it tolerates the Russian winters well. The main thing is to plant the seeds correctly.
Care and planting rosemary in the open field in the Urals also do not cause problems. The fact is that very dry winters prevail in this region. Such conditions are considered favorable for this plant.
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub with needle leaves, which look very much like ordinary fir needles. During flowering on the bush appear light purple, white or pink buds.
The leaves of the plant are covered with a dark green border (as shown in the photo). Care and planting rosemary in the open field have their own characteristics. In our climate, on average, it grows up to 50-100 cm. However, there have been cases when gardeners grew this flower up to one and a half meters high. In a warm climate, the plant may even turn into a small tree. Of course, it grows best in the Mediterranean.
Beneficial features
Before you study the features of the care and planting of rosemary in the open field in the Moscow region and other regions of the central part of Russia, you should pay attention to the characteristics of the plant.
As you know, spice allocates a huge amount of essential oils, the aroma of which allows you to disinfect the air in the room. In ancient times it was believed that this plant is able to fight with nasty. In addition, rosemary is characterized by anti-inflammatory action. It also contributes to the rapid extraction of pus.
This plant has a huge amount of folate. Women will best understand these unusual properties of rosemary, since everyone knows that folic acid has a rejuvenating effect. In addition, pregnant women need it. The fact is that folic acid helps to prevent the formation of defects in the neural tube of the fetus, thereby carrying out DNA synthesis.
The plant has vitamin A. It contains much more rosemary than carrot. In addition, it contains about 40% of the daily intake of vitamin C. This means that it is much more beneficial to use rosemary than cabbage or even lemons. It contains magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, and iron. The latter component allows you to get rid of anemia. He also takes an active part in the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. Potassium is necessary for man to control the work of the heart. Magnesium has an antioxidant effect.
That is why the care and planting of rosemary in the open field are engaged not only in order to get an unusual seasoning, but also for healing.
If a person eats foods that contain this spice, he will notice that his digestive system has improved significantly. In folk medicine, rosemary is often recommended to take hypotensive, as this plant helps to increase blood pressure. In addition, it relieves tension and stress. It will also be useful to the growing body, as the spice helps to significantly improve memory, cerebral circulation and vision. If you cook it with lavender, the effect will increase.
Men will also be interested in this plant. The fact is that the annual shoots of rosemary are very often used in traditional medicine in the treatment of impotence, stomach cramps, rheumatism and other diseases that often afflict a strong half of humanity. Of course, do not forget about the amazing taste characteristics of spices, which is why it is very often used as a seasoning in the process of cooking vegetable soups, meat, fried, fish, poultry, and more. Also rosemary is added to marinades.
Today, this plant has received a huge spread in the territory of the Russian Federation. However, not every variety of rosemary is suitable for cultivation in our difficult weather conditions.
Those who want to independently plant and care for rosemary in the open field, it is recommended to pay attention to 2 species of this plant: medicinal and prostrate. These varieties perfectly take root in the climatic conditions of the central part of the country and regions where winters are not distinguished by high humidity.
Most often, gardeners prefer the prostrate variety, which is also divided into several categories. Among them, lavender, creeping and Corsican rosemary are the most popular. This plant is able to grow only up to 50-60 cm, but this is enough to get this beautiful and useful seasoning in your country plot or apartment.
What is sick plant
If you do the care and planting of rosemary in the open field, reviews of gardeners will be very helpful. According to experienced gardeners, spice can be badly affected only by inappropriate conditions. However, there are several signs that are worth paying attention to.
For example, if there are white spots on the foliage, this indicates that the spice is too much moisturized, respectively, you need to water it a little less. If rosemary suffers from an overabundance of moisture, it will also differ in less intense aromas. In this case, it is worth reducing the amount of water for irrigation.
Of the pests it is most often attacked by a spider mite. To prevent its occurrence, it is necessary to constantly humidify the air next to the plant. To do this, simply periodically spray his foliage. If the tick has already settled on the spice, then you can get rid of it only with the help of chemicals.
Since this plant does not attract a large number of parasites, it is not necessary to take into account useful neighborhoods when leaving and planting rosemary in the open field. In addition, because of its rather bright aroma, many insects are not “greedy” on it, so the spice can be planted anywhere in the country plot.
Before treating the spice with aggressive drugs, it is necessary to cover the ground with polyethylene or other material, in this case, dangerous poisons will not be able to penetrate into the ground and hit the root system.
Features of growing in the garden
Since spring frosts in the Russian Federation today are not marked by heightened aggressiveness, rosemary grows much better, but it should be borne in mind that the cold is fatal to it. That is why experts recommend not to plant it too early in open ground.
The soil for rosemary should be sufficiently loose and contain a large amount of limestone. It is also recommended to plant the plants in those places where there is less wind. Do not forget that rosemary most of all loves the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean. This means that the acidic and too wet soil will not suit him.
If the plant is in a too shaded place, the content of essential oil in its leaves will decrease significantly, but if this is not a fundamental problem, then you can plant it anywhere.
Rosemary grows best in central Russia, since it is just such conditions that are good for its well-being.
Seed germination
First of all, rosemary seeds need to soak, placing them between 2 cotton pads and moistened with water. After that, it is enough to wait 2-4 days.
Next is preparing the soil. To do this, mix leaf soil, peat and sand (or buy ready-made soil for seedlings). This composition must be poured into a prepared container and shed with water. After that, you need to spread the seeds on the ground and a little sprinkle them with soil. It is best to lay a piece of transparent cellophane on top and put the blank in a warm place.
As soon as the first shoots seem, you can move the pots to the window sill.
Planting in open ground
Considering the weather conditions in Russia, it is recommended to plant rosemary in the middle of May or when the first warm days come.
However, it is best to think in advance. To do this, it is necessary to prepare the soil for the care and planting of rosemary in the open field in the autumn. Before winter you need to loosen it and fertilize abundantly with humus.
After planting in open ground, the plant should be watered as the soil dries.
How does wintering
By mid-October, the air temperature drops to zero. During this period, it is recommended to transfer the plant to the house. In conditions of +5 degrees rosemary will feel great. However, for this, the plant must be very carefully excavated without damaging the tender root system.
For convenience, rosemary is usually planted in large pots that are buried in the ground at a country site. Due to this, it is much more convenient to transfer the plant to wintering.
Rosemary: plant description
So what is rosemary? This is a perennial shrub with leaves, needles, similar to pine needles. In the wild, rosemary is common in the Mediterranean. Under natural conditions, the shrub grows to two meters. The plant is thermophilic, does not tolerate frost, the temperature below 11 degrees is detrimental to it. During the flowering sprig of rosemary covered with flowers of blue, white, purple or violet. Rosemary has an interesting aroma: it is difficult to distinguish one smell from it. Here the aromas of eucalyptus, camphor, lemon and the smell of fresh pine needles are captured.
In official medicine, rosemary is used in the preparation of drugs that stimulate the immune system, the essential oil helps to cope with inflammatory processes, normalizes heart activity and blood pressure. In folk medicine, memory problems are treated with it, since Rosemary aroma activates brain cells responsible for human memory.
Did you know?Greek students wore rosemary branches during the exam period, believing that the scent of the plant would increase concentration and stimulate mental activity. The Greeks believed that rosemary helps memorize words, numbers, and even complex formulas.
In cooking, it is a spicy seasoning used in marinades, pickles, in the first and second dishes, in roasting meat products, in salads, sauces, desserts and for decorating dishes. Rosemary is an interesting plant, the mankind has been paying attention to it since the beginning of our civilization. The ancient Egyptians used it in the preparation of incense, the Chinese - in aromatherapy. The first perfume with rosemary aroma appeared in 2800 BC. e., and still this fragrance is successfully used in perfumery.
How to choose a place to plant a Mediterranean plant
If you are going to grow rosemary, note that the lack of light will affect the saturation of essential oils. With a low concentration of oils, its taste and smell will also be inexpressive. When planting, consider the location of groundwater, excess moisture will damage the plant.
Important!Rosemary-scented is more suitable for home conditions, it is less capricious and does not require careful care and attention.
Rosemary lighting and temperature
Since rosemary does not like temperature drops and cold weather, choose a place open to the sun protected from drafts for its planting. The most suitable for rosemary will be areas on the south or east side of the garden. In winter, you can transfer the plant to the balcony, but it will require good lighting and temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees. 
Selection of soil for the plant
The best soil for rosemary is light sandy, not acidic and drained. Such soils well pass water without delaying it. They are loose, which gives oxygen to the roots of the plant. If you have an acidic soil at the site, you need to lime it. To avoid excess moisture, lay drainage at the bottom of the landing hole (large pebbles, broken bricks).
How to plant rosemary cuttings
Rosemary cuttings are carried out in September-October. At this time, annual shoots are stronger. Cuttings cut to a length of 10 cm, while they must have at least three internodes, cut the cut with wood ash. In warmer regions, rooted in greenhouses, in temperate climates use containers. When grown at home, you can put in a container with water, previously dipped in "Kornevin." When there are white roots, transplant in the ground.
Attention!If you put the cutting in the water, it is desirable that the container was made of dark glass. To disinfect water dissolve three tablets of activated carbon in it.
How to plant rosemary in open ground: pit for planting should be half a meter deep and the same width. The soil, if the natural composition is not suitable, prepare yourself. To do this, take the following components: leaf soil, peat and coarse sand (2: 1: 2). On 1 kg of the finished mixture, add powdered chalk - 25 g. Planting in open ground is carried out in early May, when the weather is stable and warm.
Growing rosemary seed
In early spring, begin to sow the seeds of rosemary seedlings. Soil can be purchased at the store or cook yourself. Peat, sand, garden soil and humus will be needed for homemade substrates. The soil is moistened, seeds are laid at a depth of about four millimeters. The box or container is covered with foil. For three weeks, seedlings are transferred to a room with a temperature not higher than 5-7 ° C. Then - in a warmer place with a temperature of 10-12 ° C. The grown shoots are transplanted into pots, watered moderately and aired the room. Before planting in open ground (in May), the plant is hardened, leaving it in the air under the film.
Rosemary can be planted directly into the open ground when grown from seed in the country. This is done at the end of April, after sowing they are covered with a film stretched over supports. The emerged shoots thinned out, leaving a distance of 25 cm between them. The film is removed when there is no threat of night frost.Features dressing rosemary
Feeding rosemary should be no more than once a month. In the spring during growth he needs nitrogen. You can purchase mineral fertilizers or pour mullein infusion (1: 5 ratio). Nitrogen fertilizers stimulate plant rooting. In the autumn it is better to feed with phosphorus, it will strengthen the bush, and the plant will grow longer on your site.
Loosening and weeding, how to care for the soil
Rosemary after planting, like any plant, needs care. In order for the plant to be strong and healthy, you need to take care of the soil in which it grows. The supply of oxygen to the root system of rosemary provides soil loosening. With proper loosening, do not turn the layers of the soil, and break the crust on it. At the same time, weeds are harvested, which take food from rosemary. Even such corrosive weeds, such as wheatgrass or sow thistle, can be easily removed from the ground when loosening and weeding. The first procedure is carried out after the snow melts, when the soil begins to warm up. The loosening procedure is important, as rainfall is better absorbed by the loose, light soil, and there is more air. Soil loosening is carried out up to the winter period to a depth of 12 cm.
When the plant is pruned, the formation of rosemary bushes
Rosemary is not afraid of pruning. You can cut off the branches for use in food during the entire period of its development. To form a plant, remove the branches that hinder the growth of others, weak or damaged shoots growing inside the crown. You can give it any shape. The procedure is carried out in late March - early April. At the same time, bushes that have grown in all directions, old and dry branches, as well as growing too high, knocked out of the general form, are cut. If your rosemary has been growing for a long time, you can make a radical anti-aging pruning - to the level of the soil. Thus rejuvenate the bushes during production growth.
Rosemary Shelter for Winter
If your region has cold winters with temperatures below -12 ° C, you need to dig up the plant and maintain it at home. Можно сразу сажать в объемные горшки и прикапывать в почву в саду, а на зиму уносить в прохладное освещенное помещение. В этом случае вы можете пользоваться свежим розмарином и зимой. Весной, когда пройдет угроза ночных заморозков, вынесите снова в сад. The room in which the plant is located should be aired regularly, and if you grow rosemary at home, it should be turned towards the light from time to time to properly form the crown. For home cultivation is recommended to use pots from natural materials: clay, ceramics.
In the case of warm winters plant harbor. Pristvolny circle mulch and lay on sawdust, dry foliage and other improvised material.
Rosemary: Harvesting and Storage
Fresh green rosemary, you can cut the entire spring and summer. Also, fresh herbs can be pampered if the plant overwinters at home.
Harvesting takes place in the month of August. During this period, the leaves contain the maximum amount of oils. During the harvest, branches with leaves are cut off, tied in bunches and dried in limbo. The room should be ventilated and dark. The dried twigs are finely chopped and put in glass containers. When drying the plant, you can use the oven - it will save time, most importantly, glancing behind the leaves so as not to burn. Rosemary in this form can be stored for up to three years.
Interesting!In ancient Rome, rosemary was used in many ceremonies: at weddings, funerals, and at religious holidays. They were decorated with pagan temples, later Christian churches. Rosemary was a constant attribute in seance and magic sessions.
Rosemary can be used not only for culinary purposes, it blooms beautifully and will decorate any garden. Among the shrubs there are tall and miniature, blooming in different shades and with different size buds. To choose a suitable plant for yourself, it does not hurt to find out how rosemary of one sort or another looks. There are few varieties in the plant, and you can easily select the one that interests you.
Short description
Rosemary is a curious plant. It is possible to translate this beautiful name as “sea freshness”, but the aroma of its evergreen twigs carries the notes of citrus, needles and a little eucalyptus. From the Greek translation sounds like "balsamic shrub."
- Not only the original flavor, but also the healing properties of rosemary have long been known. Also, the sprigs of the plant are successfully used in cooking, they add it to a variety of dishes: Provence seasonings have this herb in it, soups and hot meat dishes are actively seasoned in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Spicy - spicy taste with a bitter bitterness liking us, too, so many gardeners began planting this plant in their backyards not only for the sake of a decorative look.
- This perennial plant belongs to the family Luminous and is evergreen.
- The main feature of rosemary can be considered thin leaves - needles on the stem, which resemble conifers. The upper part of them is dark - green, and the bottom has a white tint.
- Rosemary leaves contain essential oil, which has a number of healing properties and is actively used not only in cooking, but also for medical purposes and cosmetology.
- Blossoming is represented by small flowers of blue - blue tint.
Main species and varieties
- There are not very many types of species, and the varietal differences are simply not easy to determine. The only known and popular species in regions with a temperate climate is Rosemary Ordinary or Rosemary Medicinal.
- There are several varieties of domestic ones: Tenderness, Rosinka.
- Among the foreign varieties, there are several of the most interesting ones: “Severn Sea”, which is considered to be a low-growing plant (its height does not exceed half a meter), “Prostratus” - its shoots do not exceed 15 cm and have a creeping structure, “Roseus” - differs from other species light pink tones of flowers, “Albiflorus” has flowers of pure white hue.
Planting rules and care
To provide the plant with comfortable conditions for growth and development, you should know several features of care and planting it in the fresh air, for example, on the garden bed near the gazebo.
- Rosemary is a southern plant, so it loves the sun and warmth. It is recommended to plant it only in the case when the night frosts finally pass. Even a slight decrease in temperature can destroy it.
- Nutrient, light, loose and calcareous soils are suitable for southern shrubs. But heavy, sour, fatty and with a high content of moisture and dampness, rosemary is definitely not to their liking.
- Due to the essential oils that make up the leaves, and the specific aroma, pests and diseases bypass this plant side.
- Rosemary can multiply in several ways: by cutting or dividing a shrub, seeds that can be bought, and even layers.
- In our region, medicinal (or ordinary) rosemary is best reproduced.
- Drafts, gusts of wind, shadow and dampness absolutely do not suit this evergreen shrub.
- Experienced flower growers are not advised to plant rosemary near the rose bushes, since such a neighborhood can interfere with the flowering of the plant.
- Seedlings should be seated at a distance of at least 1.5 m from each other, so that later there is a necessary space between the bushes.
- In an area with severe winters, it is recommended to grow a potted plant, and in the warm spring and summer months to take it to fresh air. If you plant rosemary immediately in open soil, then there it has a more healthy appearance and grows well.
- When the growth of shoots ceases in the autumn, the root and the earthy clod are transferred to the pot. Then the pot is determined in the room, in a cool place, with an air temperature not exceeding +10 degrees. Watering at this time should be very moderate. Pre-recommended pruning.
How to choose a place
Can be planted only on the south side of the site, where there is a lot of sun and light. When the plant is taken out or transplanted into the open ground in spring, then after a short period of acclimatization, shade and cold can kill the rosemary bush. Therefore, make sure that the soil is warmed up and the planting area is well lit.
The bush tolerates dry weather fairly well. But in spring and summer, regular watering is recommended so that the plant actively grows and develops.
Over-wetting of the soil should also not be allowed - this can cause rotting of the root system and wilting of the bush.
Soil composition
It has already been said that the rosemary soil is loose, light, calcareous and well ventilated. For better plant growth, you can use the following soil mixture:
- 1 part of river sand.
- 2 pieces of sod land.
- 2 pieces of hardwood land.
- 2 pieces of humus.
Under natural conditions, it grows on dry soils with sand and rubble. Rosemary root is very powerful and well developed, can penetrate deep enough into the ground.
How to prune
Depending on the variety and place of growth, formative pruning is necessary to do. The best period for this is the very beginning of spring (March - April), before the beginning of the active growth phase.
Rejuvenating pruning do no more than once in 7 - 8 years. In this case, the plant is cut completely to ground level.
If you like to use rosemary in the preparation of dishes, then in summer you can trim the upper parts of the shoots. And in the fall, before you define a bush of rosemary in a warm house, it is also recommended to cut it strongly enough.
Fertilizer and dressing
Experts advise feeding plants that hibernate in the open field. Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers are needed for the full development and growth of the bush. It is enough only once in 30 days to fertilize rosemary.
If the plant is grown in a pot or container, then regular fertilizing complex fertilizers are required.
Planting and care: basic rules
Yes, growing this spicy plant will take time, patience and attentiveness from you. But we have already seen that our readers can handle any difficulties. Our tips will help you do everything right and prevent common mistakes.
Note! Rosemary has many varieties that breed well in nature under certain conditions. But rosemary is best for growing at home. It is less whimsical than the others, and is easy to clean.
Rosemary fragrant (medical) is valued in cooking, aromatherapy, and medicine
Now you need to remember a few basic rules for the content of rosemary.
Place the container with the plant on the windowsill on the south or east side. Rosemary likes a lot of fresh air and light, and if these conditions are met, it gives strong, juicy leaves. Therefore, provide him with plenty of sunlight and regular airing. In winter, with a short sunny day, it is desirable to provide illumination with special lamps.
For rosemary, good light with plenty of sunshine is important.
Temperature conditions
It is desirable to provide uniform heat with minor changes: this plant does not tolerate sudden temperature differences with large amplitudes. Keep this in mind if, in the winter, decide to transfer the rosemary to the loggia to ensure good lighting. Wintering rosemary can take place at a temperature of 5 to 15 degrees.
During the winter period, provide rosemary with a temperature of 5-15 degrees
Selection of pot and soil
Capacity for the plant should be spacious, because it has an extensive and powerful root system, quickly growing. The best pot material is clay, pottery or terracotta. At the bottom of the pot sure to lay the drainage of expanded clay or small pebbles.
As for the soil, it is good to use a slightly alkaline or neutral substrate in its quality. It can be purchased at specialty stores and supermarkets. You can also cook this soil yourself. For this you need to mix:
- 1 part of sand,
- 1 part peat,
- 1 part of humus,
- 2 pieces of turf land,
- 2 pieces of leafy ground.
The soil should be loose, with good moisture permeability.
The easiest way to buy a suitable substrate in the store
For rosemary, excessive watering is more harmful than lack of moisture. Drying the substrate will lead to yellowing of the leaves, which is very easy to fix with a glass of water. But the excess moisture in the soil and its stagnation will have a detrimental effect on the state of the root system, which will simply begin to rot.
Avoid excess moisture in a rosemary pot: this can kill the root system.
In the hot season, with plenty of sunshine, water the rosemary plenty, but control the soil moisture. Stagnant water should not be! Winter watering should be regular and moderate. In spring, the level of water consumption can be gradually increased as the air temperature rises.
Rosemary grows vigorously from March to September. At this time, the plant requires additional feeding. Do it twice a month, use organic and mineral fertilizers. In order not to be mistaken, buy full complex fertilizers. Do not forget about calcium - it is needed rosemary for good growth and development.
Some additional tips
The most valuable for us in rosemary is its aroma and taste. To obtain seasoning from a plant, young shoots are cut (they are covered with hairs) with leaves and flowers, dried and processed. This should be done when the bush is actively blooming.
In spring, the plant should be cut to form a thick and beautiful crown. At the same time, it is necessary to leave only a few internodes formed on the increase from last year.
Correct rosemary pruning will ensure the growth of a beautiful crown.
If an adult rosemary bare stems, spend rejuvenating pruning, removing shoots that grow above the ground surface. This should be done in the last decade of February or in early March. As a rule, such pruning is carried out every 7 years.
Rosemary reproduction
Surely you want to get yourself some rosemary bushes or provide your family and friends with this wonderful plant. For this you need to multiply. We will consider the most simple and popular ways.
You can buy ready-made cuttings in the local nursery nursery. But why do this when you have your own rosemary bush? Cut off from the top of several stiffened branches up to 10 cm in length. It is better to do this in late spring, but if you live closer to the south, then you can also at the beginning of autumn.
The stalk must be cleaned from the lower leaves and placed in a pot with the mixture:
- 1 piece of land
- 1 part of peat moss,
- 2 pieces of coarse sand.
This prepared primer should be wet. If you do not want to bother, then you can use a glass of water. But in this case, the stalk may die before sprouting. However, there is such a risk when growing the stem in the ground. Perhaps this is the only drawback of this method. It is easy to avoid if you do not overdo it with water.
Note! Experienced plant growers are advised to lower the cuttings into a container with water, provided that the walls of this container are made of dark glass. Also add 2-3 tablets of activated carbon: it will disinfect water from harmful impurities.
But the undoubted advantage is that you have a lot of branches cut into cuttings. Some of them will surely take root and become full-fledged bushes in the future.
Put the pot with the cutting into the soil in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight. Before the appearance of strong roots will take about 3 weeks.
Rosemary cuttings in pots with soil
To make the cuttings grow faster, help them: install a transparent cap or plastic bag, having made several holes in it. Keep the plant warm and maintain optimum moisture levels.
After the roots grow back and mature, feel free to transplant rosemary in a permanent pot.
This method is quite complicated. Its main disadvantage is poor germination. But there is an advantage: the quality of the mother plant is not inherited by future seedlings, in contrast to the method of propagation by cuttings.
Early spring or early fall is suitable for disembarkation. You can use the seeds of the mother plant or buy them in the store.
Wrap rosemary seeds in wet gauze and leave for 2-4 days. After sprinkle them on a well-moistened potted soil, but do not drop it. Top stretch the plastic film, make punctures in several places to ensure the seed flow of air.
Shoots should appear in 2 weeks, maximum a month. Constantly moisten the soil with seedlings in a pot. It is better to do this with a spray bottle: this will distribute the moisture evenly, and the seeds will not start to rot.
Rosemary shoots grown from seeds
If the seedlings never appear during this time, you will have to repeat the planting procedure again.
So your seeds have germinated. Wait until their length reaches 7–9 cm, and 3 leaflets will appear on the sprouts. Thin out crops by transplanting weaker ones into another container, where they can reach the desired size. Dive very carefully so as not to damage the plants. Strong sprouts can be transplanted into pots with drainage and soil mixture for constant growth.
Possible diseases
This plant is fairly resistant to disease and pest damage. It's no wonder that rosemary grows so well in the open field. However, this applies only to the southern climatic zones, where there is a lot of heat, sunlight, and the air is rather dry. In the apartment, and even in the middle band, a little more complicated.
For example, you may notice a thin, slightly visible cobweb on a rosemary bush. This spider mite left traces of its vital activity. Before it is too late, wash each leaf with a soap solution (50 g of boiled household soap should be dissolved in 1 liter of warm water). If time is missed, and the infection is strong enough, spray the plant with insecticide.
In addition, rosemary can "catch" powdery mildew, be attacked by the whitefly or aphids. Most often, these problems occur in winter. To prevent such diseases and lesions, do not allow too high humidity in the room where rosemary is found. Use air dryers.
Pay attention to any changes in rosemary appearance to prevent diseases.
In order for the aphid and whitefly not to settle on a flower, regularly arrange him a shower of soapy water. One - two times a month will be enough. Do not interfere with spraying and solutions of insecticidal soap.
Powdery mildew (it looks like white scurf) is difficult to see on rosemary leaves covered with thick thin light villus. That is why this disease most often becomes the cause of death. If the leaves of rosemary began to darken and dry, and you are sure that the plant is provided with the correct temperature conditions, watering and lighting, then the diagnosis is unequivocal - defeat by powdery mildew. At this stage only the treatment with insecticides will help you.
Video about growing rosemary at home
Of the harmful insects on the plant often attack:
Most pests appear on rosemary, if the flower is taken out on the street, or from other plants. If there are few scutes and mites, it is enough to wash the shrub with a solution of soap. In severe cases, use insecticides.
Rosemary varieties for home cultivation
In pots on the windowsill you can grow only rosemary, medicinal or fragrant. Его лучше приобретать в специализированном магазине, где он уже растет в вазоне. Черенок, взятый от экземпляра, растущего в открытом грунте на садовом участке, дома не приживется. 
Душистый розмарин может вырастать до одного метра. Если его регулярно прищипывать, кустик будет аккуратным и компактным. A characteristic feature of the plant is that the narrow leaves have a green color only on the upper part, and at the bottom it changes from light green to almost white. Blue-purple sessile inflorescences are collected in multicolored brushes.
Questions and answers
- Rosemary leaves are green, but fall off?
The reason for this is excessive watering. If the leaves become yellow, this indicates a lack of soil moisture. - Do rosemary leaves start to dry?
The reason for this is getting too cramped pot. Damaged green mass is better to remove, transplant and carefully monitor watering. - Green mass began to turn black?
It is necessary to carefully analyze the conditions, since the darkening of the leaves of rosemary can be caused by heat and stuffiness in the room, lack of lighting in the winter season, or depletion of the soil when not enough fertilizing is done. Often the plant turns black due to sudden changes in night and daytime temperatures.
How to grow rosemary - sowing and cutting
If among the neighbors you are the discoverer of rosemary, the most suitable way to get hold of it is to buy seeds. They can always be found in the store, unlike ready-made bushes or cuttings.
Like most garden crops, rosemary is sown in two ways:
- immediately to the open ground
- first for seedlings.
However, it should be borne in mind that for germination seeds need stable heat. In addition, the full lush bushes in the first case will be formed only in the fall. Thus, in order not to lose precious time, plant rosemary in a seedling manner better.
Seeds for seedlings are sown in early March. In early April, seedlings dive into separate containers. When the frosts are over, the seedlings are planted on the garden bed. At the same time, it is necessary to leave enough space between the bushes (about 40 cm), otherwise they will be cramped.
When the beginning of rosemary beds will be laid, it can be propagated by grafting. At the end of June, young twigs up to 10 cm long are cut and rooted in the soil. Such bushes grow quickly and already this season will be pleased with fragrant greens.
Some features of the cultivation and care of rosemary
Of course, strong and healthy seedlings are one of the main factors for producing a lush plant. But it will not be enough if you do not take into account the requirements of the culture to the soil and the place of planting. Coming from southern countries, rosemary prefers sunny warm areas not blown by the wind. In the shadows and in the draft even the most powerful seedlings turn into a miserable kind of bushes.
Rosemary will not grow in heavy clay soil, as well as in acidic soil. He needs a nourishing and loose substrate, preferably on the basis of black soil, sand and peat in equal shares. It would be nice to add a little lime to it.
With irrigation of rosemary bushes also need to be careful and find a middle ground. They will not forgive an excess of moisture and discard the foliage, and in dry land the leaves will remain, but turn yellow. In the spring, plants can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers - they will help build up a lush green mass. Then once a month to use mineral complexes.
And, perhaps, the most important nuance is the wintering of garden rosemary. By its nature, it is a perennial, and if winters in your region are warm, the bushes will be able to spend the winter. The only thing that the shelter will still help save most of the landings. In cold regions, rosemary is usually grown as an annual, sowing seeds annually. However, there is another option - to plant in pots and already with them to dig in the garden. For the winter, the pots will have to be picked up in a cool room, but next spring no seedlings are needed.
