HERB - Heartsease and Rosemary

[RAISYA@aol.com]

Morna,

I don't know much about growing Heartsease, but I can make a few suggestions 
on rosemary.

Most important seems to be a raised bed.  I grew several rosemary plants from 
cuttings in different places around my yard, and the two plants that I put in 
a raised bed in a higher portion of my yard (1/2 top soil, 1/4 compost, 1/4 
aged manure) did significantly better.  In fact, less than three months after 
I planted one of the rooted cuttings in that bed, it was bigger than the 2 
year old parent plant, and the second plant wasn't too far behind.  At about 
6 months, the two plants had rooted deeply enough that they survived 9 days 
without water in the middle of August (100F+ temps) without any obvious 
stress. There aren't many things I'll grow in raised beds here, it seems to 
expose the roots to too much heat, but rosemary is one.

I think they prefer soil that's a bit sandy, and fertilizer from mild natural 
sources like compost.  One really good soaking about once a week once a plant 
is established is often enough, though in the height of summer, I shorten 
that to once every 5 days.

I think you should take cuttings of the successful plant, regardless, it's 
obviously a variety well suited to your conditions, and it's pretty easy.  I 
have the best luck taking cuttings in the spring or fall, so-so luck in the 
winter, and no success in the summer.  I don't bother with rooting compounds 
for these, I just stick three or four cuttings in a six inch pot, keep them 
watered for about 6 - 8 weeks, then repot the rooted cuttings separately.  
While I prefer to keep my cuttings inside, they also do OK sitting outside in 
partial shade.

Let us know how it goes!
Hope this helps!
Raisya
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