zuzu's petals
Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~
Posts: 2439
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: Save The Lavender ~ |
|
Okay you successful Lavender growers,  I need input and encouragement.
I've committed Lavender murder more times than I can count,
(I think the folks at my local herb nursery may have me on some sort
of a repeat offenders list  ) but I love it and so I keep trying.
Now, I don't want to put my shoulder out of joint as I pat myself on the back,
but I have finally managed to grow a Lavender plant that has survived my care
for a full year (well, almost a year, I'm sure I bought it last spring).
I've had it growing in a large pot, but now I'd like to add it to one of the beds.
It has remained green all winter, though it is more than a little straggly looking now.
So, my questions  ~
Is this the wrong time of year to transplant my Spanish Lavender plant?
And, if it is okay to do so now, should I prune it at the same time?
And, if I should cut it back, should I shear it back hard or just trim lightly?
Oh, and if you have any other helpful hints, please enlighten me,
seriously, nothing is too basic  . . .
PLEASE STOP ME BEFORE I KILL AGAIN!
To hide these ads please register / sign in
|
|
| Back to top |
|
dooley
Texas
Posts: 5203
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
I think we may be related. I've killed more lavender than I'll admit too. I'm afraid I can't help you unless you'd like it to succumb to some mysterious ailment. Dooley
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Tina
Seattle,WA
Posts: 409
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject: |
|
Guys, I am so scared now. I did'nt know growing lavender is so hard. I just sowed some lavender seeds. Nothing sprouted yet in 2 weeks. If experienced gardeners like you failed at it then what shot do I have. I hate to admit it, but I have killed so many plants(usually store bought) before that I had given up gardening for 3 years.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11233
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:08 am Post subject: |
|
I've never had any joy with growing lavender from seed so I've always grown it either from a cutting or cheated and bought one from a garden centre.  I have 6 different types in the garden that have overwintered well here in Scotland. I cut off the flowers once they'd faded and trimmed the bushes back in early autumn.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1424
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:09 am Post subject: |
|
yep, they like it hot and dry. They seem to like my rocky soil with minimal nutrients anyways.
_________________
Mary 
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
|
|
| Back to top |
|
zuzu's petals
Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~
Posts: 2439
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:50 am Post subject: |
|
| Tina wrote: | | Guys, I am so scared now. I did'nt know growing lavender is so hard. I just sowed some lavender seeds. Nothing sprouted yet in 2 weeks. If experienced gardeners like you failed at it then what shot do I have. I hate to admit it, but I have killed so many plants(usually store bought) before that I had given up gardening for 3 years. |
Awww, Tina, don't be discouraged, we have all committed MANY plant homicides. 
I like to think of them as sacrifices to Mother Nature,
when she gets her fill, maybe she'll let me keep a few for a while. 
Be fearless,  grow loads of plants . . . she can't eat 'em all! 
| eileen wrote: | | . . . trimmed the bushes back in early autumn |
Ooooh, so I'm running just a tad behind, schedule-wise  swell!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
bethie
WestTennessee
Posts: 1570
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: |
|
Yes indeed, lavender loves poor care-dry, hot and not too much fertilizer. Mine will be going good and then a lot of rain...I just can't talk about it.  But I will NEVER give up. Don't you just love that stuff? A friend of mine has better drainage and is not a very good gardener (sorry Friend) and hers does Great.
_________________
Ready to Grow?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Polly
Michigan
Posts: 2164
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
I had a beautiful lavender plant at our old house. Moved it when we moved and it hasn't done well since. Now I know why - the spot it is planted in is always wet. Must move it in the spring.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Netty
Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 9954
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject: |
|
I've been very lucky with Lavender I guess. Mine gets very little attention and even less water. I give it a trim late spring when I see exactly what parts have winter kill and then leave it alone.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
zuzu's petals
Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~
Posts: 2439
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject: |
|
Thanks everyone, those are great links Toni. 
So then, would you say that I can transplant it now if I choose a dry, sunny location,
and that I can cut it back at the same time?
Do you think I should prune hard or lightly?
I do see new growth points forming along the stems.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11233
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject: |
|
I transplanted a rather large one from pot to ground about two weeks ago and it is doing fine. I would have trimmed it already if February hadn't started attacking me. But that is one of the things I will be doing today.
I trim back in the spring after making sure there is some new growth coming up and trim back to about 6 inches above the ground (or just above the new growth).
Eileen, I had saved seeds from my first lavender but they have a very short shelf life so I don't know that it is really worth it, I buy new ones at the Garden Center.
I keep the flowers cut thru the blooming season, dry them and use them in soap and put some in muslin bags for sachets.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
