How to propagate rosemary? A detailed explanation of common propagation methods
Rosemary is a shrub plant of the Lamiaceae family, native to Europe and Africa, but it was introduced into our country several thousand years ago and has a certain ornamental value. However, rosemary is mainly used in the daily chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry, because rosemary is the main raw material for making antioxidants and rosemary essential oil. At present, rosemary is planted over a relatively wide area, so how should rosemary be propagated? Below, the editor will introduce rosemary propagation methods to everyone.
1. Seed propagation
Seed propagation is the most common rosemary propagation method. Seedlings are generally raised in early spring each year, and the seedling-raising method depends on one's own habits. If using the traditional soil method for raising seedlings, seedbed management should be done well: prepare the seedbed properly, plow the seedbed deeply and level it, then apply sufficient base fertilizer and water it well. When sowing, pay attention to the density; it should not be too dense, and appropriate sparse sowing is acceptable. Before sowing, mix the seeds with soil and stir evenly, then sow, so as to expand the contact area between the seeds and the soil. After sowing, cover with plastic film or build a small arched shed to keep warm and prevent the soil from crusting. For plug tray seedling raising, note that after emergence the plug trays must be moved regularly to prevent the roots from extending into the ground and being damaged at transplanting.
2. Cutting propagation
Cutting propagation is generally the propagation method used when propagating in late winter. Usually, rosemary plant stems that are disease-free and pest-free, with thick and strong stems and not fully lignified, are selected as cuttings. Cut at a point about 12 cm from the top of the stem, and appropriately remove the leaves below the branch, leaving 2/3 of the leaves. After cutting, insert the branch directly into the medium and keep the soil in a moist state. With proper management, it will generally take root in about one month. Then after another month it can be transplanted and planted out. Pay attention to the temperature during cutting; especially the nighttime temperature must not be lower than 14 degrees.
3. Layering propagation
Layering propagation is another propagation method developed based on the characteristics of rosemary, because rosemary often grows some adventitious roots during its growth, and adventitious roots are the prerequisite for using layering propagation. The layering propagation method is very simple: press the branch closest to the ground into the soil. Then leave the top of the branch exposed. The pressed branch will gradually take root, and after rooting, cut the branch off from the mother plant, so that the branch forms a new plant, which is then transplanted and planted out.
4. Points to note
The natural germination rate of rosemary is very low, usually only about 1/5 or even lower. Moreover, rosemary grows extremely slowly and has a very strong growth period. If planted in spring, by autumn you will find that the plant is not much bigger than when it was planted. The vigorous growth period must wait at least until about 2 years of cultivation. Therefore, when propagating rosemary, asexual propagation methods are generally used, but plants grown from seed have a stronger flavor and better quality. So which propagation method to use mainly depends on one's own planting direction and needs.
The above is a brief introduction to rosemary propagation methods. Rosemary propagation is basically these three methods. However, each propagation method has different advantages and disadvantages, just as was said earlier that seed propagation takes a longer time but gives good quality. Therefore, before planting, everyone should not only consider planting techniques but also make preparations for propagation. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.