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sick rosemary srub

Pot-headPot-head Posts: 7
in Problem solving

HI, 

I have a old rosemary shrub in a large pot.  Was doing very well in the spring then we had that wet spell an the needles/leaves went yellow.  I believe it was because the pot was waterlogged, so i drilled some new holes to help drain the water.

That was about 6 weeks ago.  All the yellow leaves have dropped of but the leaves do look quite pale and it's not growing.

Any idea what could be causing that? could it be due to lack of water now as the soil dries out much quicker now because of all the holes and i've hardly watered it in the last 6 weeks as i read they nee very little water.

Could there also be root rot?  is it worth repotting with a more sandy based soil to help with drainage?

If I knew what is causing the leaves to be so pale I could fix it.

Appreciate any advice.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I grow it from seed and keep some of the plants inside as it's not favourable for them outdoors long term.

     Although it's a Mediterraneum plant, it doesn't mean you shouldn't water. Keep a regular watering plan in dry spells.

    They do actually need watered quite often in a pot - the medium they're in should be very gritty so that they don't sit in it for any length of time, but don't let them get completely dried out. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364

    Rosemary does need to avoid being water logged.  I have had one for years but it had beome very brittle. I found my old one had layered itself a shoot into the soil and I have replaced the old one with that.

    It's worth trying layering.




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • Pot-headPot-head Posts: 7

    This one is at least 25 years old.

    It used to be in the ground but when we moved 8 years ago I took it with us and put it in a pot.  Last year I put it into a bigger pot and and it was thriving until we had a damp period.

    Is it too late in the year to repot?

    Thanks for all the advice.

    Last edited: 24 August 2016 12:34:36

  • Pot-headPot-head Posts: 7
    pansyface says:

    ROSEMARY PLANTS DON'T LIVE ALL THAT LONG. MAYBE THREE OR FOUR YEARS. AFTER THAT THEY GO DOWNHILL.

    TAKE SOME CUTTINGS. BREAK OFF A FEW BITS THAT ARE FOUR INCHES OR SO LONG. PUSH THE, INTO SOME GRITTY SOIL AND LEAVE THEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WHEN THEY BEGIN TO GROW, PINCH OUT THE LEADING TIP AND THEY WILL BRANCH OUT,

    See original post

     Hi, thank for the advice

    I actually took some cuttings from it about a month ago.  They are in a ceramic pot in a shaded part garden which i have covered with a  transparent plastic bag to keep in the moisture.

    Is it just a case of keeping the soil damp?  i've not seen much online about caring for cuttings, such as watering them or feeding them.

  • Pot-headPot-head Posts: 7
    Verdun says:

    Ooo, I think I would remove that plastic bag now Pothead. 

    25 years?  That is exceptional. And you replanted it!  Respect image. 

     I replaced a lavendar hedge last year and I would hate to put an age on it.  It kept going for years and years.  But replacements are worth thinking about.  My replacement lavendar hedge has looked superb this summer with lots of flowers.  It will out perform my old hedge just as your replacement rosemary will Pothead image

    See original post
     "I think I would remove that plastic bag now Pothead."
    How comes? from the instructions it said to keep it covered to stop moisture loss.  It does have a few safety holes in the bag to let air in.
    I checked one cutting a week ago and there were no roots :(
    I was surprised it survived when i dug it up cause it was well rooted but it has sentimental value so i want to do all i can to save it.  When i repotted last year it had never looked so healthy.

     

  • Pot-headPot-head Posts: 7

    @Verdun

    No probs.  Thanks for the advice.

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