Struggling to Establish Rosemary

Hello all

I hope you are well.

I have a Rosemary Plant that was Planted Last Year which is struggling.

It is still only approximately 10" Tall, at most and the Leaves are going Red and Yellow.

It looks as though it is Underwatered but it should not be, it should definitely not be Overwatered either.

This is how it looks now:



Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Are you sure it's not dehydrating? The ground looks bone dry. What's the soil like? Looks like clay from the pic. When you planted it did you make a hole just big enough to sink it or did you dig it twice as big and mix some compost in with it?

 

Hello

Thanks for the Reply.

The Soil is actually Loam and because I water by Drip Irrigation only the Soil around the Plants gets Watered.

When I Planted it I Dug a Hole Twice as big as the Pot.

I did, do not, have any Compost so I used Blood, Fish and Bone.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Its hungry ! Balanced organic fertiliser such as Vitax Q4 would be my preference.

 

Only time I've grown Rosemary I found it thrived in dry hot conditions and survived total neglect.

 

Just my opinion, but I think it is being molly coddled too much. Here it lives in red clay and gets watered when it is lucky. I would imagine that it is treated likewise in Med countries ... of which Portugal is not one.

 

Hello

I knew I could rely on you @pete

@Victoria , I do not molly coddle it at all really.

The Rosemary, along with the Lavender only get Watered once a Week and even then, the Drip Irrigation Hose is far enough away from them that they do get some Water, but not much.

They are all situated in a South Facing Border so get plenty of Sun, when there is Sun

The Temperatures are supposed to be in the Mid 20s from Saturday so that will be better for them, not for me though.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Kevin, its not covered in aphids is it, it looks a bit motley in the picture.

 

Hello @pete

No Aphids in the Garden yet, I do not think it has been Warm enough for them yet.

When they do make an appearance, the Hoverflies usually deal with them.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Rosemary does indeed thrive in terrible soil. It's the only thing that's thriving in my clay, baked dry front garden. But before it can thrive, it needs to get its roots in, and until the happens it's effectively limited by a root system the size of its pot, losing moisture as the surrounding ground wicks it away.

I don't think I'd give it fish blood and bone. I'm not sure it will harm it, but it just won't need it if the soil is ok.

I think if it was mine, I wouldn't use drip irrigation. I'd give it a right good drenching. Like a full watering can every evening until it starts to establish. I'd also test how fast the water soaks away. I'd pour a full watering can out near it, and watch how fast it soaks in. Come back a couple of hours later, stick the finger in, see how damp it is. I have a feeling the water is just wicking away/evaporating faster than the plant can get it.

I also wouldn't initially water right next to it. Sounds counterintuitive, but I'd be more inclined to soak the ground near it but not on it. The roots seek out water. If that water is only where the roots already are, then the plant has no incentive to expend energy sending roots further into the surrounding soil.

 

I'll tell my broad beans that.

 

Hi Kevin. Sorry, I wasn't referring to the watering but the "Blood, Fish and Bone".

 

Hello @Victoria

I did not consciously intend to add the Blood, Fish and Bone, it was more by Habit

Would adding that have caused any issues?

Thanks

Kevin

 

Morning Kevin.

No, I don't believe it would cause any issues, just do not think it necessary.

 

Hello @Victoria

Thanks, at least that is Good News.

Unfortunately, after getting a much closer look at the Rosemary, I have decided to replace it.

What would be the ideal way to Plant Rosemary?

When I receive the new 2L Rosemary Plant, should I Soak the Rootball, Fill the Hole with Water First or should I just skip those Steps?

Thanks in advance

Kevin