Rosemary Propagation - Four Weeks Later

Compared to propagating impatiens, propagating rosemary takes a long time! I have been waiting for so long now. Every week or so, I check on their progress. In actual fact, it has only been 4 weeks, which is how long they take to develop roots, but I am impatient :)Every week, the leaves look wilted, but this week they started to look more sprightly. I was hopeful.
I noticed this cutting was also less droopy.
I gently eased them out of the soil with my "fake" dibber (a thin spoon handle) and plopped them into a bowl of water. I always transfer cuttings into a bowl of water. I like to keep them fresh while I work or examine them, and the water gives them a good drink.
After a quick rinse, I noticed something new sprouting from the bottom of the cuttings.
Yes, they were roots! They are still very little, but it was enough to give the leaves a more lively look. I hated seeing them looking droopy. I always worried that I didn't water them enough and that they would dry up. However, it looks like they are okay after all.
These two little cuttings have a new beginning as their very own plant. I am really delighted. I'm going to give them away to my friends since fresh rosemary is a lovely thing for cooking. These pictures were actually taken a week ago, so they have grown more roots since then and the bent over rosemary has straightened up more and is even more fresh looking now. Hurray!
New roots on cuttings make me happy. Once I have success with a new variety, I make lots of them. I think I'll make some more rosemary. They take an awful long time at 4 weeks compared with 2 or less for the impatiens, but they are perennials and can probably last the winter. They're also useful, and that's a plus! Perhaps my co-workers will like some.

Happy gardening!

How To Propagate Rosemary Herb Plant From Cuttings

As you've seen from my past few tutorials on propagating plants, it's really easy! This tutorial will show you how to propagate rosemary plants. Rosemary is a wonderful herb used in many savoury recipes, so it is handy to have more available in the garden and it also makes a nice gift to give someone. This is the rosemary plant that I have in my garden. I will be using it as a starting point for making more plants.
First, find a long shoot about 3-5 inches long. Choose young stems that are still green. The woodier stems are harder to propagate from. Keep the cuttings fresh in water while you work.
Next, snip off all of the lower leaves, being careful not to damage the stem. Optional: dip the bottom inch into rooting powder and tap off any excess. Avoid inhaling or touching the rooting powder and use gloves if necessary. (I did not use any rooting powder for mine, but the rooting powder will encourage the cutting to grow roots faster.)
Fill a pot with sterile potting soil to the brim, and firm down the soil. Make a deep hole with a dibber or a pencil, and place your cutting into it. Gently push soil towards the cutting to fill the hole.
Water your new cutting well and keep it in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist and mist the plant on dry days. Wait for the cutting to take root and to grow new leaves. It will take about 4 weeks.
Happy Gardening!

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