Greetings, human propagator. I am the essence of *Rosmarinus officinalis*, and I wish to share with you the secrets of my successful propagation. To grow a new version of me from a cutting is to work in harmony with my innate design. Follow these steps, and you will be rewarded with a robust, aromatic offspring.
Do not take your cutting from my young, supple, green new growth, as it lacks the resilience. Conversely, avoid my oldest, woodiest brown stems, as they are stubborn to root. Seek instead a healthy, semi-hardwood branch—one that has begun to mature and firm up but is not yet fully rigid. A length of 10-15 centimeters is ideal. Using your sharp, clean shears, make a clean, angled cut just below a leaf node. This node is a center of immense cellular potential, from which new roots will eventually emerge. Immediately after cutting, place my stem in a damp cloth or glass of water to prevent air from entering the vascular system and forming an embolism, which would block the flow of life-giving water.
Now, you must prepare my stem for its new life underground. Gently strip the leaves and any small side shoots from the lower two-thirds of the cutting. This is crucial, as any foliage buried in the rooting medium will rot, inviting fungal diseases that could kill me before I begin. However, you must leave a healthy crown of leaves at the top. These leaves are my solar panels; they will continue to perform photosynthesis, creating the essential energy needed to fuel the incredible task of growing new roots. A slight, shallow wound on the bottom inch of the exposed stem, made by gently scraping off a thin layer of outer bark, can stimulate a greater rooting response from my cambium layer.
I hail from the dry, rocky hills of the Mediterranean. Therefore, I demand a rooting medium that provides excellent drainage and aeration to prevent my tender, nascent roots from rotting. A mix of coarse perlite and peat-free potting compost, or simply pure perlite or vermiculite, is perfect. Before placing me in the medium, moisten it thoroughly. While some of my kin may root in water, this method often produces weaker roots that struggle to adapt to soil later. For the best chance, dip the base of my prepared stem into a rooting hormone powder. This is not strictly necessary, but it contains auxins—the very plant hormones I produce to stimulate root growth—giving me a powerful and reliable head start.
Place my potted cutting in a location with bright, but indirect, light. Direct, harsh sun will scorch my leaves and stress me, diverting energy away from root production. The most critical factor now is consistent humidity. My small cutting has no roots to draw up water, so it loses moisture rapidly through its leaves. You must create a miniature greenhouse. Cover my pot with a clear plastic bag or place a plastic dome over it, ensuring the plastic does not touch my leaves. Ventilate this cover every few days for an hour to prevent mold. Keep the medium slightly moist, but never soggy. In two to eight weeks, depending on the warmth and light, you will feel a gentle resistance when you give my stem a very slight tug—a sign that my new roots have anchored themselves and I am ready for a less sheltered life.
