Growing Lavender from seed is very easy once you have learned how to care for it properly. You should follow the directions in this article for the specific soil and moisture requirements. Also, learn how to prune and harvest your lavender plant. It can produce fragrant flowers, which are perfect for gifts! Soil requirements are listed at the end. You can also find more information on how to care for a Lavender plant by reading the following:
Growing from seed
Lavender seeds are not easy to germinate, and it can take two to twelve weeks to sprout. The best way to accelerate the germination time is to avoid planting seeds in a place that has a very dry climate. You can place lavender seeds in a plastic bag, which keeps the soil from drying out too much. Water the lavender seeds from below in the morning and again in the afternoon. Keep the bag closed and in a warm place for at least three days before transplanting.
Once you have germination, you can then plant the seedlings directly into the garden. Make sure to place them in direct sunlight, as they need a sunny spot to germinate. Make sure to water them regularly, and fertilize them once a year. Fertilize the lavender seeds once a year with a fish emulsion or organic liquid fertilizer. Space the seedlings a ruler’s length apart.
To transplant the lavender plant, wait until it has several sets of leaves. You can lightly press the roots into the soil before planting them. Do not forget to water them immediately to eliminate air pockets. Do not overwater them, though, as this will kill the delicate roots. If you wish to transplant several lavender plants, make sure that the pots are at least two inches (five cm) in diameter. Remember to use larger pots if you have multiple lavender plants.
For best results, you should plant the lavender plant in the full sun. Shaded areas are not ideal, as the soil tends to be wet and inviting fungi. For best results, dig a few inches deeper than the root ball to improve drainage. In addition, it is a good idea to add a small amount of organic matter to the soil, which will aid in the growth of the lavender plant. The lavender plant requires a 30-cm (12″) pot or container.
Lavender does not respond well to crowding and requires less water overall. However, young plants need frequent watering to establish their roots and grow to their full potential. Eventually, the plants will need more frequent watering to produce flower buds. After a couple of weeks, you can water your lavender plants only once or twice a week. However, if you choose to grow lavender as a perennial, you can use them to make a colorful border to your flowerbed.
Soil requirements
Soil requirements for a lavender plant vary widely. The soil should be rich and well-drained. It should also be somewhat aerated. If the soil is too acidic, you can add some lime or bone meal to make it more acid-free. If the soil is very rich, you may need to amend it with a mix of fifty percent sand and fifty percent compost. After planting, test the soil by watering the lavender and note how quickly the water drains.
If you live in a temperate climate, lavender grows best in full to partly shaded conditions. If you live in a sunny area, the best time to plant your lavender is in the fall or spring, but it will tolerate some light shade as well. Lavender prefers a relatively small amount of space, so plant it two feet apart. Lavender also tolerates drought once it has been established. If you live in a humid region, you can plant your lavender in a container.
Lavender grows well in all types of well-drained soil. It can tolerate pH levels of between five and eight. Light, sandy soils with a pH of approximately seven are the best for growing lavender. In a mildly acidic soil, 5 pounds of lime can raise the pH level by one point. The rates of application are dependent on the type of soil and pH. Soil pH testing is recommended before you start planting your lavender.
While lavender does well in humid climates, it needs proper drainage and airflow to grow properly. For a healthy lavender plant, you must choose a location with a fast-draining stone mulch. In a southeastern climate, Lavandula stoechas and dentata are best. In northern regions, they must cope with cold weather, saturated soil, and long winters.
A lavender plant can flower well into autumn. You can prune it after it blooms to maintain a fuller plant. Trim off the top third of its stems if necessary. The remaining stems should be pruned lightly as new growth emerges. This will encourage branching. The plant can grow for 20 years with proper care, and only half that long in heavy clay soil. This is the most important part of lavender care.
Pruning
In order to keep your lavender plant in bloom, you need to prune it every year. English lavender and hybrid lavender should be pruned back to one-third of their previous height to maintain their shape. French lavender is often pruned in the late summer or early fall, when the flowers have finished blooming. During the winter, you can prune French lavender heavily to encourage new growth, but be sure to wait until the plant has produced a new flush of growth before pruning.
To prune lavender, you should remove the flower heads while leaving some new growth above. While pruning English lavender, make sure not to cut the flowers or foliage below the woody portion of the plant. Cutting off the flowering stems should also help the lavender plant grow bushier. However, do not prune lavender plants too hard, or it will be too hard to revive. You should prune lavender plants every year, or even every three years.
The time of year you prune your lavender plants depends on your climate and the type you have. But for most types of lavender, the best time to prune is during the summer or early fall, just after they have finished flowering. This is because frost or snow can cause the lavender leaves to break. Also, you can prune lavender plants during the fall to shape them properly for the winter. After establishing roots, you should prune lavender plants to encourage more dense branches. Do not cut the plant’s woody branches too hard, as this can make it harder to control.
If you have a lavender plant that is already in bloom, it is important to prune it regularly. This will keep the plant full and healthy while encouraging new flowering and growth. Also, pruning lavender in this way will ensure you have fresh tips throughout the growing season. Although lavender is a perennial plant and can grow outdoors in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones five to eight, the temperatures can become very cold or hot and should be protected indoors during the winter months.
Harvesting
There are a few steps involved in harvesting a lavender plant. To begin, you need to identify which lavender bloom is ready to be picked. When this is done, you’ll need to cut the stems close to the base of the plant, resulting in long flower stems with minimal leafy brush. Cut the stems while they’re still green, so you can leave a couple of leaves on the green part of the stem. Avoid cutting down the woody part of the stem, as this will cause your lavender flower plant to bloom again.
When it comes to cutting the stems, you’ll need to cut just above the similar branching junction. If your lavender plant is compact, you might need to cut closer to the bud-leaf nodes. If your lavender plant is large and established, you’ll want to cut it above the leaf-bud node and below the flower stem. Make sure to keep the stems moist and warm for the first few weeks, or you’ll run the risk of the stems becoming brittle and unusable.
Harvesting lavender is the easiest part of the process. Once you’ve picked the flower clusters, you can place them in a vase with water or arrange them in a wreath. The flowers can be used fresh or dried, but to retain the best flavor, you should cook them quickly or dry them in a dehydrator. You can also use lavender flowers in culinary preparations. If you’d rather use them for decorative purposes, you can also pick the buds and use them in a wreath.
Lavender has a strong floral aroma and pairs well with other members of the mint family. Whether you’re using it for cooking, you’ll find that it adds an unique flavor and aroma to food. Lavender is a good companion for a variety of plants, especially cabbages. And it will complement many other flowers, including Black Eyed Susans, pentas, and hostas. When harvesting lavender for its oil, you’ll want to cut just half or one third of the flower buds.