Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinale ) is a perennial aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family, it develops as a bush and grows spontaneously in the Mediterranean regions, although it adapts well to different temperatures. It has hard and deep roots, capable of anchoring itself even in sloping soils, it does not require particular maintenance and, thanks to its resistant qualities, it is quite easy to grow even in pots.
If planted in the ground or in large pots, there are varieties of rosemary that can reach a height of more than two meters, suitable for creating a decorative and fragrant hedge or fence in the garden. However, normally on the balcony are you going to settle for yourself a small aromatic plant able to meet the needs of the family.
The presence of some rosemary plants is essential for lovers of good food, who may have plant it in a pot , to flavor dishes with the characteristic aroma of its small branches. It is not difficult to grow this perennial shrub in a pot, we have already talked about how to grow rosemary, now let’s go focus on balcony cultivation .
Contents [Ocultar]
-
Choose a suitable location and pot
-
Climate and ideal exposure
-
Choice of potting soil and potting soil
-
-
Start growing rosemary
-
Preparation and planting of pots
-
Potted rosemary transplant
-
-
Balcony cultivation operations
-
Potted watering
-
rosemary pruning
-
Plagues and diseases
-
-
Harvesting and storing rosemary
Contents
Choose the appropriate location and container
Climate and ideal exposure
Rosemary is a hardy plant and, although it grows mainly in a Mediterranean microclimate, characterized by mild temperatures, it can acclimatize quite easily in any climatic situation.
However, he could does not withstand intense cold for long : to grow it in pots in areas where the temperatures are harsh, it is advisable to place the plants in an area exposed to the sun and near a shelter from the wind, for example a wall. In the event of winter frosts, it may be advisable to remove the rosemary pots from the inside or cover the plants with non-woven fabric.
The ideal exposure for rosemary plants is sunny .
Selection of soil and pot
To grow rosemary on the balcony you can choose container of any size , except those that are too small. The size of the container obviously influences the size that the plant can reach at the time of its growth: by delimiting the root apparatus, it is reflected in the aerial part. The ideal container is an earthenware pot with a diameter of about one foot.
this aromatic has no special soil requirements and grows without problems in universal potting soil for green and flowering plants, but it is very important to ensure good drainage : It is advisable to mix the potting soil with sand to make it smoother and more uniform. Adding a little mature manure can be supplemented, forming a nutrient surplus.
Start growing rosemary
preparing and planting the pot
To proceed with the cultivation of rosemary in pots, it is necessary to have seeds or, alternatively, we can propagate it by means of cuttings . For those who don’t have much time, you can always buy ready seedlings in a nursery .
.
Let’s first choose what kind of rosemary to put on our balcony. There are different varieties of rosemary we can identify among them those whose bush has an erect habit and the rosemary is prostrate , which first develops horizontally while the branches then rise upwards. In the wild, prostrate varieties are the most common and are generally best suited for container growing.
The planting season is spring However, it is advisable to avoid rainy days and wait for the weather to stabilize. First, we must fill the pot with soil, which must be left soft and without reaching the margin. To facilitate drainage, it is important to place a layer of small stones downstairs .
At this point you can stream a pinch of seeds of the grade of rosemary desired, and cover them with a light extra layer of soil, watering them lightly and keeping the pot in a warm, dry place. after a fortnight the first buds will appear obviously not all of them will develop completely, so during the first weeks it is necessary to carry out a series of thinnings until only the most resistant and well-developed seedlings remain.
potted rosemary
If instead of sowing we choose to transplant from a purchased plant or propagated by rooting a cutting, one can make or at different times of the year , but it is better to avoid too hot and also winter with its frosts. The month of March it can be a good time.
Balcony cultivation operations
repotting
As for irrigation being a typical plant of the Mediterranean maquis, would require a limited water supply, when grown in the open field it almost never gets wet, only the first weeks of shoot development and during the driest summers.
However, like any other balcony grow rosemary pots should be watered regularly always being very careful that there is no stagnation of water, as this could cause rotting of the roots.
rosemary jar
Rosemary does not need special care no specific size. Enough with remove dry or damaged branches and, if necessary, prune lightly the plant according to its appearance. Normally, a potted balcony plant tends not to grow very much, so it is not necessary to intervene to contain it.
pests and diseases
Rosemary is a fairly vigorous shrub and is not prone to any particular diseases, the only risk being root rot. caused by the formation of stagnant water: to avoid this problem, it is recommended to always check that the soil is well drained. In pot culture, this type of rot can occur often and is almost always dependent on excess water.
The plant rarely attracts common pests , on the balcony even less than in the orchard. There are insects for which rosemary is even a repellent, while it is very popular with bees and other pollinating insects. can rarely fall prey to small insects like Eupteryx decemnotata or Chrysomela americana, however, these are rare species that can be removed using Neem oil a natural pesticide extracted from an ancient tree of Burmese origin.
Picking and storing rosemary
For those who use rosemary in the kitchen, growing it in pots allows always have it at hand on the windowsill or on the balcony of the house . It is important to cut the plant only when necessary, to enjoy its full aroma.
When we go to the harvest we pay attention so as not to damage the plant , choosing the apex of one of the tallest and strongest branches and letting it dry in the shade. It can be worn for about two weeks or dried to make it last longer.
Rosemary is not only a great flavoring for cooking, but it also has balsamic and antiseptic properties and is used in homeopathic medicine.