How to Grow Rosemary from Seed

 

Rosemary plant is an aromatic herb that derives its name from the Latin word Rosmarinus, which means “mist of the sea”. Rosemary plant has been grown for ages. According to history this herb is native to the Mediterranean. Rosemary plant is believed to have magical properties that can strengthen memory. In the 14th century and 16th century Rosemary plant was used as a symbol of fidelity, love and friendship where brides will give it to grooms during their wedding ceremony. The bride will also wear the rosemary wreaths to their wedding. Some couples that are rich also give each wedding guest a rosemary twig.

Furthermore, rosemary plants are also used for toothaches, gas relief, headaches and baldness in traditional medicine. The flowers of this plant are small and they are pale blue to deep blue in color. Rosemary plant branches bear opposite, leathery thick leaves that are lustrous, linear, dark green above and downy white below. Rosemary plant has a lot of health benefits.

Benefits of Rosemary Plant Indoors

The following are some of the health benefits of rosemary plants;

- Rosemary oil can help to promote hair growth, treats dandruff, prevents baldness, slows graying, and dry scalp.

- Rosemary plants can also be used to prevent Alzheimer’s.

- Rosemary plant can also be used reduce liver damage.

- This particular herb has a calming effect on those who suffer from chronic anxiety and depression.

- The carnosol in rosemary can help to improve prostate health and enhance hair growth.

- The extract from rosemary is very helpful in treating cancer.

- Rosemary essential oil contains antioxidants which can help to improve the quality of the skin.

- Rosemary leaves can actually remove the phlegm and mucus from the respiratory system, providing relief from a cough, flu, cold, and even asthma.

- Rosemary contains some active components which can boost immunity.

- This herb can also prevent blood clot.

There are a lot of health benefits of rosemary plant. The parts of this plant that are used are the stem, the leaves and the flowers. This plant is really medicinal. Starting commercial rosemary farming can be very profitable if it is done in a proper way. There are a lot of the demands on rosemary both in the international and the local market. A lot of rosemary farmers are really making a lot of profits from there rosemary farm. On this book we are going to discuss everything about rosemary cultivation.  

Rosemary Varieties

There are different varieties of rosemary plant. The following are some of the different varieties of rosemary plant.

-         The Salem Rosemary variety: This particular variety is one of the upright varieties of rosemary. The Salem Rosemary variety offers delicate blue flowers, this variety is a fast growing variety and it works well as both a hedge and an ornamental plant. The Salem Rosemary variety can grow between 1 and 3 feet tall and it has a 1 to 3 foot spread.

-         The Blue Boy Rosemary variety: The Blue Boy Rosemary variety is one of the smaller varieties of rosemary and they can only grow a couple of inches tall. The Blue Boy Rosemary are perfect for ground cover or for containers. The Blue Boy Rosemary variety has a blue flower which is edible and very fragrant evergreen leaves. This particular variety of rosemary is a perennial shrub and it has a healthy lifespan of multiple decades if they are cared for properly.

-         The Spice Island Rosemary variety: The Spice Island Rosemary variety can grow to about 24 and 30 inches tall and it is easy to train into a specific shape for your topiary garden. The Spice Island Rosemary variety offers the signature blue flower, the fragment evergreen leaves, it is also an edible plant and it is also great for cooking.

-         The Prostrate Rosemary variety: This particular variety of rosemary is a variety that works well for hanging basket gardens. The Prostrate Rosemary variety is one of the creeping varieties that also work well for ground cover as well. The Prostrate Rosemary variety generally grows to be about three feet tall and can have a spread of between four and eight feet.

-         The Common Rosemary variety: This particular variety is another upright variety. The Common Rosemary variety can grow between 2 and 4 feet tall. This particular variety prefers dry soil that has good drainage and that has full sun exposure. There flowers are light blue and it really works well as a cooking herb.   

How to Grow Rosemary Plant

The land preparation

 The rosemary plants need to be grown in full sun. Make sure you add aged compost to the planting bed. From my little experience rosemary plant grows best in light, well-drained soil.

The Planting Time

 Make sure you sow the seeds in spring. You can also start cuttings from new growth in spring or late summer. Also you can start new rosemary plants by layering stems during the summer.

Planting And Spacing

The rosemary seed need to be sow ¼ inch deep. The rosemary seed can take up to 21 days to germinate at 65°F. This plant can also be grown from cuttings. Make sure you space the plant 18 to 36 inches apart in all directions.

Watering and Feeding

 Immediately the plant is established, make sure you water the plant infrequently. Also make sure you feed the planting beds with aged compost. This plant is a light feeder, try and apply foliar spray of liquid seaweed or kelp extract 2 or 3 times during the growing season.

Rosemary companion plants:  Rosemary companion plants include all members of the cabbage family, carrots, beans, sage.

How to Care for Rosemary

In other to encourage fresh growth, make sure you trim rosemary back several inches twice each season. You can protect the rosemary plant from harsh, cold winters by actually moving it into a cold frame or greenhouse when the freezing weather threatens.

Rosemary Propagation

 One thing about this plant is that the seed is very difficult to germinate. You can start cutting in spring or late summer or layer stems in early summer. If you want to start rosemary from cuttings you can snip a 3-inch cutting from the top of a branch and then remove the leaves on the lower third and set it firmly in seed starting mix.

Weed Control

In Rosemary cultivation hand-weeding and hoeing are very important as weeds can affect the yield and quality of the oil. Under normal condition two to three weedings are really necessary during the year. Also an inter-row cultivation can be done by a tractor-drawn cultivator or hand hoe. Be very careful not to damage the roots as this plant is very sensitive to this and it could cause the parts of the plant to die back. Also, an effective plant density and canopy can eliminate weeds.

How to Grow Rosemary in Container

Rosemary plant can be container grown as an annual or as a perennial. Make sure you protect the rosemary plants from freezing weather. Also make sure you choose a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter and at least 8 inches deep. 

Pest and Disease Control in Rosemary

Rosemary plant is like any other plants that also face some pest and disease challenges. The following are some of the pest and disease that attack rosemary plant.

-         The spittlebugs on rosemary: The spittlebug is a brown insect that suck sap the rosemary plant and they surround themselves with a white, foamy excretion. This particular insect rarely causes a severe problem but a heavy infestation can weaken the rosemary plant. To control this insect you can use a strong jet of water to wash away the foamy excretion and the insects hiding inside.

-         Aphids and Whiteflies on Rosemary: These two particular insects attack rosemary plant most especially if the plant is grown in a greenhouse or indoors. Aphids are green in color but there are other aphids’ species that are white, yellow, black, brown and pink in color. The whitefly is actually a tiny, white-colored winged insect. To control these insects you can use a strong jet of water to wash off their colonies. For aphids they also respond well to insecticidal soaps. You can use ready-mixed spray and apply it directly on the insects. Although if you actually want to eat your rosemary you can only use insecticides suitable for edible plants or just stick to manual, water control methods.

-         Rosemary root rot: There is no much you can do once your rosemary plant develop root rot problem. This is actually caused by fungi. The rosemary leaves will become wilted, once you discover it just discard the damaged plant. You can also prevent root rot by growing the rosemary plant in a spot that drains well. If your garden is naturally wet, you can grow the rosemary plant in a raised bed.

-         Powdery mildew on rosemary: Research has actually shown that the fungus that causes powdery mildew thrives in humid 60- to 80-degree Fahrenheit weather and shady areas. One of the ways to get rid of powdery mildew is to apply a fungicide spray. Make sure you mix the fungicide with water at a rate of two to four teaspoons per gallon then spray it on the affected area of the plant. Try as much as possible to read the package labels and follow the manufacturer recommended instructions.

How to Harvest Rosemary

Harvesting the rosemary is the final stage. You can begin to harvest as soon as the plant is established in the ground and when it has reached a suitable size. The branches of the rosemary plant are harvested by cutting the terminal growth (25–30 cm/9.8–11.8 in) before they become woody. One thing about rosemary plant is that they can be harvested several times in one season, although it is very important to allow them to recover and replace their growth before the next harvest season.

The rosemary essential oil can be obtain in the highest quality when the plant is in bloom and it is only the flowering tops should be harvested for distillation.