Rosemary

Description

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, is an erect, bushy evergreen shrub in the family Lamiaceae grown for its leaves which are used as a herb. The rosemary plant is usually erect in growth habit and possess branched woody stems with tufts of leaves. The leaves are opposite and usually bladelike and glossy green. The plant produces clusters of 5–10 blue, purple or pink flowers on short lateral branches and small oval fruit. Rosemary plants can reach 2 m (6.6 ft) in height and can be productive for many years (up to 30 if conditions are favorable for its growth). Rosemary originates from the Mediterranean.


Uses

Rosemary leaves can be used fresh or dried as a herb in cooking or in salads. The leaves and flowers can be used to extract rosemary oil which is used as a seasoning or as a scent in soaps and household products.


Propagation

Basic requirements Rosemary is suited to both temperate and subtropical areas with most varieties growing optimally at temperatures between 6 and 24°C (39–75°F) in a well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Rosemary plants require at least 6 hours of sun every day, direct sunlight being best. Rosemary can survive mild winters but will not tolerate temperatures that are regularly below -3°C (26.6°F). Established rosemary is very drought resistant. Propagation Rosemary can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or by air layering. Seeds germinate slowly, emerging after 3–4 weeks, and have a low germination rate so vegetative propagation is preferred. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, vigorous plants by taking a clipping about 7.6 cm (3 in) in length from the end of a branch. The leaves should be removed from the lower half of the cutting before planting in light textured potting media to root. The cutting should be watered regularly and kept moist, but not wet while they root. The new plants will be ready for transplanting after approximately 8 weeks. after hardening, transplants should be planted 45 cm (18 in) apart allowing 1.2 m (4 ft) between rows. General care and maintenance Rosemary is very prone to root rot and should therefore be planted in a well-draining soil and watered sparingly. Allow the soil to dry before watering, generally watering once every 1–2 weeks is sufficient but watering should be adjusted to suit climatic conditions. Plants will benefit from the regular addition of a balanced fertilizer. A layer of mulch will protect the plants over winter. Harvesting Rosemary can be harvested as soon as the plant is established in the the ground and has reached a suitable size. Branches are harvested by cutting the terminal growth (25–30 cm/9.8–11.8 in) before they become woody. Rosemary can be harvested several times in one season but it is important to allow the plant to recover and replace growth before the next harvest.


References

CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/47678. [Accessed 07 April 15]. Paid subscription required. Masabni, J. & King, S. (2010). Rosemary. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Available at: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-623-Easty-Gardening-Rosemary.pdf. [Accessed 07 April 15]. Free to access.


Common Pests and Diseases

Diseases

Category : Fungal

Cottony soft rot Sclerotonia sclerotiorum

Symptoms
Plants rapidly wilting and dying, often without turning yellow; as plants dry out they may turn straw yellow in color; small black fungal bodies (sclerotia) may be present on the surface of the root just below the soil line together with white fluffy mycelium; water soaked lesions may be present on the stem in Spring; infected tissues dry out and may become covered in white mycelium
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Disease emergence favors warm, humid conditions
Management
Plant only disease free material; if disease is known to be present rotate crops with non-hosts such as cereals which are a non-host

Downy mildew Peronospora lamii

Symptoms
Leaves yellowing; white-gray fuzzy or downy growth developing on leaves
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Disease emergence favors cool, humid weather; disease spread favored by prolonged periods of wetness on leaves
Management
Promote good air circulation around plants by using adequate spacing; avoid wetting the foliage by watering the plant at the base

Category : Bacterial

Crown gall Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Symptoms
Galls of various sizes on roots and root crown below the soil line; galls may occasionally grow on the stems; galls are initially light colored bulges which grow larger and darken; galls may be soft and spongy or hard; if galling is severe and girdles the stem then plants may dry out and die
Cause
Bacterium
Comments
Disease enters through wounds on plant
Management
Only plant disease-free material; plant rosemary in well-draining soils; avoid wounding the plants as much as possible
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