Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Rosemary problems

I'm struggling to grow rosemary.

For the past 7 years now, every time I try a new rosemary plant (and I'm trying different varieties) they seem to die. 

The leaves turn darker, some with black dots and the whole plant starts to look spindly. 

There are also very tiny flies on the plant, that I notice when I shake the leaves. 
I've tried it in a raised bed with well-drained poor soil, I've tried it in richer soil, and I've tried it in the ground too.

I generally don't feed them or water them too much. 

It is close to a large conifer tree. South facing, sun from 12 noon through to 4 pm.


What are the flies? and could they be the problem or the result of something else?


Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Could you post a couple of close up photos of the rosemary, please? It's difficult to diagnose the problem without seeing the damage/pests.
    In the meantime, rosemary likes sunshine and whilst it is from a drier clime than the NW, it does like a decent amount of water. In the NW I would be inclined to grow rosemary in a pot so that it can be moved under cover during the colder months.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Could depend on your location ?  4 hours sun isn't really very much for Rosemary assuming you mean that is the maximum it receives at this time of year ?
    After trying for 7 years in the ground with no luck, @Ceres suggestion of a pot would seem to be the only option.  Worth trying at least :)
  •  :D 7 years - should have given up by now. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've only ever grown it in pots as it isn't reliably hardy here because of the wet cold in winter, and it then gets woody as well. Like lavender, you need to take cuttings or grow again from seed and keep it renewed regularly.
    It needs light, well drained soil, and full sun, but the soil really doesn't look like ideal in your pic. The black dots are typical of conditions that are too wet. 

    As @Ceres says -  in a pot it still needs watering well, and protected in winter. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    I can see some mottling on the leaves which suggests something might be having a go at them. Have a close look under the leaves to see if anything is living and dining there. This site has a list of some of the creatures that damage rosemary https://rosemaries.co.uk/bugs-on-your-rosemary-identify-the-problem-here..html

  • Helen P3Helen P3 Posts: 1,152
    I agree with Ceres.
Sign In or Register to comment.