How to take cuttings from rosemary?
Rosemary Pennsylvania, USA
I ask because not only am I scared that I may be killing a plant I recently transplanted and would really like to save it but also because I think that this is something lots of others may like to know and reference in the future. So, how do I take a good cutting from an established plant and get it to grow into a new one? Thanks!
Posted
by: Lindsay McMenemy
(4 points)
Posted: August 20, 2013
Answers
Super easy to propagate herbs from cuttings- take some new, green growth, pieces 4-6 inches long, strip some of the foliage off the end, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in potting medium with a little plastic on top to keep humidity in while it roots.
Posted
by: Bradley Cahill
(1 point)
Posted: August 21, 2013
Lindsay McMenemy commented,
Thanks Bradley. Very helpful. Need to get some rooting hormone and give it a shot. over 10 years ago.
Thanks Bradley. Very helpful. Need to get some rooting hormone and give it a shot. over 10 years ago.
Tanya in the Garden commented,
I've never used rooting hormone! Or plastic on top. Those are good things to do, but I've had enough success without using them. But I do mist my cuttings occasionally, and I keep them in a shaded location.
I strip all the foliage off the part that will be in the soil -- generally the bottom half of the cutting. It should be woody enough so that it's easy to stick into the soil, but not so woody that leaves are sparse. I also cut off any flowers or seeds in the top part, so that the plant will concentrate on growing roots rather than trying to make seed.
I strike as many cuttings as I can if I'm pruning back a plant that I'd like to propagate. Instead of composting the prunings, I propagate them. To maximize the rooting area, I insert them into the potting medium at an angle rather than vertically (I will add a photo the next time I do this). This way, I can use a shallower container (or a whole flat) and less soil.
When new growth appears, that means roots have grown. I then pot up the successful starts individually.
over 10 years ago.
I've never used rooting hormone! Or plastic on top. Those are good things to do, but I've had enough success without using them. But I do mist my cuttings occasionally, and I keep them in a shaded location.
I strip all the foliage off the part that will be in the soil -- generally the bottom half of the cutting. It should be woody enough so that it's easy to stick into the soil, but not so woody that leaves are sparse. I also cut off any flowers or seeds in the top part, so that the plant will concentrate on growing roots rather than trying to make seed.
I strike as many cuttings as I can if I'm pruning back a plant that I'd like to propagate. Instead of composting the prunings, I propagate them. To maximize the rooting area, I insert them into the potting medium at an angle rather than vertically (I will add a photo the next time I do this). This way, I can use a shallower container (or a whole flat) and less soil.
When new growth appears, that means roots have grown. I then pot up the successful starts individually.
over 10 years ago.
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