How to grow lavender at home from seeds. Lavender: growing a fragrant and healing plant in a summer cottage. All about growing lavender: sowing, care, pests

In the Caucasus, in the mountainous regions of Europe, in Russia and the Crimea, a spicy plant, lavender, is found in abundance. Due to its beauty and wonderful aroma, the plant is becoming more and more popular among owners of private houses and summer cottages central Russia. For the cultivation of lavender, seedlings obtained from seeds are used.

Preparing for landing

Lavender is grown from seed. Unlike many ornamental crops, for which it is recommended to buy material in a store, lavender seeds can be collected from their own plantings - daughter flowers will not be inferior to the beauty and aroma of the mother.

In the regions of Russia, where the climate is cold, and the seeds are usually not sown immediately in open ground, but lavender is planted in seedlings. Sometimes they are sown in a closed greenhouse. In any case, you first need to prepare the seeds

Stratification

Before sowing, the seeds must be stratified, i.e. are awakening. There is already prepared material on sale, but if it has been stored for too long, it will also need to be activated. Without the procedure, the seeds may not sprout at all or sprout too late. In addition, stratification significantly increases the winter hardiness of the material.

Interesting fact
In the seeds, the embryos of the future lavender are in a state of physiological dormancy and are waiting for optimal conditions to begin growth. Since summer is middle lane too short for lavender, you have to “wake up” the seeds in advance.

Stratification in sawdust:

1. Take sawdust (they should be ten times more in volume than seeds), pour over boiling water, and then excess moisture press.
2. Mix the seeds with sawdust and put everything in a sealed container (for example, a plastic bag, glass or plastic jar). There must be air in the container with sawdust and seeds.
3. Leave the seeds with sawdust for three days at room temperature. During this time, both materials will be saturated with moisture, sawdust will swell.
4. After three days, rearrange the container in the refrigerator for 1-1.5 months. The optimum temperature will be from +3 to +5 ° C. If it is higher, then the seed germination period will increase.
5. As soon as white growths appear on a quarter of the total number of seeds, the stratification procedure has come to an end and they need to be planted. It is impossible to allow sprouts to stretch out from the seeds, since they will be easily injured when planted in the substrate.

Advice! Periodically mix sawdust with seeds: this will improve germination and prevent mold.

To carry out stratification using soil in early January, moistened lavender seed material is scattered over the surface of the substrate in a small container. Then they cover everything with a film and put it in the refrigerator on the lower shelf, on the glazed loggia, in the cellar or basement for 30-45 days. The temperature there should be approximately +4˚ С.

Lavender loves relatively loose and very fertile soil. The right soil is most often purchased at the store, but it will not be difficult to prepare it yourself.

This will require:

• 3 parts of garden land;
• 2 parts of humus;
• 1 part coarse river sand.

Advice! Take garden soil from under the trees, as in these places its most fertile layer is formed.

If there is no garden or forest land, then ordinary soil will completely replace it. Sand is necessary to ensure the lightness and permeability of the soil for oxygen.

Before planting seeds, it is recommended to disinfect the substrate. To do this, a couple of days before sowing, the soil is shed with a hot pale pink (1% percent) solution of potassium permanganate, steamed, heated in an oven (at a temperature of 110-130˚ C) or subjected to cold (for example, in freezer). Then the substrate must be loosened: sift so that there are no large lumps left. Dishes and tools are also desirable to be disinfected, since most rot and viral diseases of seedlings are not treated - they are easier to prevent.

Last preparatory stage- pour a layer of expanded clay or small clay shards on the bottom of the container. Soil is placed on top.

Advice! In no case should vermiculite be used for the drainage layer, since it often contains asbestos, although manufacturers do not indicate this on the packaging.

Landing

Lavender is a heat-loving plant, so young bushes are afraid of frost, and they need to be planted in the ground after constant heat has been established, best of all - at the end of June. So that by this time the seedlings have grown stronger, the seeds are planted at home in February. In the greenhouse, the material is protected from the cold, so it is permissible to sow a little later, in March.

Place the awakened seeds in the prepared substrate along with sawdust to a depth of three to five millimeters and leave at a temperature of + 20-25˚ C for germination. In order to strengthen the seedlings, they are periodically sprayed with an Epin solution.

The container must always be in a plastic bag or under a lid; there is no need to open it for watering, since natural moisture is provided due to the accumulating condensate. However, you need to carefully monitor that there is no mold, if this happens, the damaged areas must be thrown out, and the seedlings should be allowed to ventilate (the temperature in the room should not be lower than 20-25 degrees.

Advice! Try to protect the seeds as much as possible during the germination period from temperature changes. It is also important to ensure optimal level humidity in the room (approximately 60-65%).

After about 15 days, tender sprouts will appear. From this time, it is recommended to start hardening, removing the greenhouse cover daily for 10-20 minutes and gradually lengthening this interval. Sprouts must first prepare for room conditions, then for relocation to the garden.

seedling care

As soon as the first sprouts appear, move the container to a well-lit place. A south-facing window sill is best. Plants must be sure to receive enough light for ten hours. Additional lighting with a phytolamp will help ensure the optimal amount of light. The most suitable temperature for seedlings is from +15 to +22˚ C.

Advice! The seedlings are stretched out, they look weak, the leaves are pale - these are clear signs of a lack of lighting, it is necessary to extend the daylight hours.

Root respiration is extremely important for lavender. In order to prevent excessive compaction of the soil, periodically, carefully, so as not to damage the roots and stems, loosen the soil with a sharpened match or toothpick.

picking

At the stage of two true leaves, lavender seedlings need to be relocated to big boxes or separate pots - this is necessary so that the roots and foliage of neighboring bushes do not interfere with each other's development.

Transplantation should be done carefully, using the transshipment method, so as not to damage the root system. Sprouts dig in small object(with a ruler, the smallest children's scoop, a tablespoon) together with an earthen clod and move it to the prepared hole. Between plants should be at least five centimeters.

Watering

Since lavender is a guest from the tropics, it loves an abundance of water. The soil in the container with seedlings should always be slightly moist. The plant must be watered once a day with settled water. room temperature. But if the room is cool (within 18-20˚ C), then you need to water less often: excess moisture will lead to mold or rot, and the lavender will die.

Advice! Water plants under the root very carefully, as lavender seedlings are very tender. This is best done with a disposable small syringe or syringe.

top dressing

Once every 7 days, it is recommended to feed lavender seedlings with specially designed complex fertilizers(sold in specialized flower departments and stores). Adult bushes need fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers and only during the flowering period.

Relocation to the garden

60 days after germination, you can start transplanting lavender in open ground. A suitable time is May-June, however, due to unstable weather over the past few years, it is preferable to relocate seedlings to the garden at the end of the first summer month. But before that, you need to choose the right site. In order for the lavender to bloom early and abundantly, the garden bed should be well lit, but in a slight shade: straight Sun rays harm the plant. In full shade, lavender will also bloom, but much later.

Equally important is the level of water in the soil. Lavender will die from both excess moisture and its deficiency. For this reason, it is strongly not recommended to plant plants in wetlands, in hollows and where groundwater runs close.

The composition of the soil should be light enough, permeable to moisture and air, with a slightly alkaline reaction. A few days before transplanting, it is necessary to refresh and disinfect the soil. If last season the plantings were affected by disease or pests, and the soil was not renewed, it is necessary to remove upper layer and replace with fresh. Then the bed is spilled with a hot, weak solution of potassium permanganate. After that - carefully loosened.

Advice! To ensure a slight alkalinity of the soil (if the pH is below 6.5-7.5), add a little wood ash or notice.

Next, holes or trenches are prepared. Laid out at the bottom drainage layer from expanded clay, clay shards or broken bricks. Bushes are transferred to a new place of residence by transshipment, so as not to damage the delicate roots.

Landing Care

After landing in open ground, lavender will need meticulous care over several seasons. The plant develops quite slowly, needs weed removal and moderate watering in dry weather. late autumn young plants must be covered with fallen leaves or spruce branches. It is necessary for warming.

Advice! The addition of compost will improve the aeration of the soil, air will easily penetrate to the roots. In addition, such a measure will saturate the earth with micro and macro elements.

In the first year of life, lavender looks inconspicuous, this is due to the growth of the root system during this period. Plants gain green mass, bush and bloom only in the second or third year. To increase bushiness, you need to pinch the tops of the bushes - the first procedure is carried out when 6 pairs of leaves appear on the plant. give nice shape pruning the first years to a height of 15 cm will also help.

Experienced gardeners admit that caring for lavender seedlings is troublesome. But if everything is done correctly, the result will not disappoint.

A few notes and tips to help cultivate luxurious flowers:

1. Growing lavender from seeds is a costly way to get plants, but one of the most reliable.
2. Choose seed varieties designed for climates similar to those in your garden.
3. Lavender broadleaf is considered the most unpretentious in care. Angustifolia is unstable to low negative temperatures, sensitive to excess moisture in the soil, often dies as a result of damping.
4. Systematic airing has a beneficial effect on lavender, but it is afraid of drafts.
5. The optimal time for transplanting plants is early spring or autumn.

With proper care, even the most whimsical varieties Lavenders are sure to please with the appearance of flowers with a delicious aroma. Growing a culture is not too difficult, it adapts well, the main thing is accuracy and patience.

Lavender is beautiful ornamental plant known since the time ancient world. Its homeland is the Mediterranean coast. It is there that you can see insanely beautiful lilac-purple fields planted with globular lavender bushes.

Flowers fragrant with freshness are so beautiful that when you see them once, you will immediately fall in love with this plant. It is not necessary to go to the southern countries to admire lavender. You can make a small flower garden on your windowsill and enjoy flowering exquisite plant grown from seeds.

Lavender - description and types

An evergreen shrub up to 50-60 cm high is distinguished by straight stems with a felt coating. At the top of each stem is a spikelet-like peduncle, consisting of narrow flowers.

The palette of shades of lavender flowers can vary from pale blue to deep purple. In nature, there are about 30 plant species, but only a few of them are most popular.

jagged lavender is a small shrub that is studded with very fragrant, large flowers that bloom in mid-summer. Its beautiful serrated leaves have a silver tint. This type of plant loves heat, so its cultivation is possible only at home.

Variety Lavandin reaches two meters in height. Differs in narrow and long leaves, and large or small lilac, violet or blue flowers. This hybrid variety blooms a little later than all other narrow-leaved lavender species.

Its flowers begin to bloom only in mid-July. The plant is of great medicinal value. It produces high quality essential oil.

lavender broadleaf or spikelet is a plant with very fragrant flowers. On each of its stems there are three inflorescences at once.

Lavender angustifolia or English most loved by flower growers. She is not afraid of frost, and is easy to care for. Lavender grows up to one meter and is distinguished by narrow leaves and flowers. The flowering period falls in July.

It is in this month that blue, white, purple, pink or purple flowers English lavender. They have a unique fresh, delicate aroma.

french lavender is decorative variety, which can be grown in the gardens of central Russia. A bush with a long stem and a bract covered with flowers of various shades.

Varieties of this plant species bred by breeders can bloom purple, lilac, burgundy, white or green flowers with a very strong but pleasant aroma.

The peculiarity of French lavender is that it has an early flowering period. Sometimes it can bloom for the second time in a season. Breeders recommend growing this type of plant at home.

medicinal plant varieties

The type of lavender officinalis includes different varieties, among which there are dwarf ones (for example, Little Lottie and Nana Alba), as well as plants with different shades of inflorescences:

How to grow lavender from seeds

You can settle beautiful and fragrant bushes in your flower garden by growing them yourself from seeds.

It is better to buy seeds in a specialized store. It is recommended to choose narrow-leaved lavender varieties, which are most suitable for growing at home.

It is necessary to start dealing with seeds even in winter, or even in autumn. Because they have to go through a long stratification procedure. This will harden the seeds and increase their germination. To do this, they need to be mixed with wet sand and kept in the vegetable section of the refrigerator for two months.

Around February or March, the seeds are sown in seedlings filled with earthen mixture. The soil for sowing can be prepared independently, taking for this:

• garden soil - 3 parts;
• humus - 2 parts
• river sand - 1 part.

The mixture must be reviewed and sieved, as it should not have large lumps. Otherwise, small lavender seeds may simply not sprout.

Seeds are sown in containers filled with soil and drainage and a little sand is sprinkled on top, which is then sprayed warm water. So that the seeds hatch together, seedlings boxes covered with glass or polyethylene.

The result is a kind of greenhouse with optimal humidity and temperature for germination. Seedlings germinate at an air temperature of +18 to +22 degrees.

The first shoots should appear in 20-30 days. If this does not happen, then the seedlings should be refrigerated for three weeks. After the emergence of seedlings boxes moved to a warm room.

As soon as the first sprouts appear, the seedlings are exposed to a well-lit place. To prevent seedlings from stretching, it is recommended to install additional lighting.

Young plants to room air must be taught gradually. To do this, the film or glass is removed first for one hour a day, then for two hours, and after a few days it is completely removed.

As soon as the seedlings get stronger, you can take it planting in separate pots or large wide boxes. Planting should be carried out carefully so as not to damage the roots. Therefore, plants are dug out with a large clod of earth.

Growing lavender cuttings

If your friends have lavender bushes growing in their garden or at home, you can ask them to share with you. Moreover, the plant will not be severely damaged during cuttings. Do this procedure with angustifolia lavender better in spring or summer, and broad-leaved cuttings in early autumn.

Cuttings cut from the upper or middle part of the shoot should be at least 7-10 cm long. If you take the lower part of the shoot for propagation, then the cuttings may not take root. The cut is made closer to the kidney. Flowers and leaves are removed from the bottom.

Before planting cuttings dipped in special powder which stimulates rooting. It is necessary to root and grow bushes in a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1). Each cutting is covered with foil and aired daily.

Seedling care is in regular spraying and keeping the soil moist. It is also recommended to create such growing conditions under which the temperature of the sand will be higher than the air temperature. In this case, the cuttings will take root in 5-6 weeks and can be planted on permanent place.

Growing lavender at home is very different from growing lavender at home. open field. Lavender in a pot is the most demanding on the conditions of maintenance and care.

Choice of location. Plant likes good lighting, so it is recommended to grow it on eastern and western window sills.

During the day, lavender bushes should be covered for 8-10 hours. Therefore, in winter time of the year it is recommended to highlight the plant using a fluorescent lamp.

The room must be ventilated daily. The humidity level for the flower does not have of great importance. However, in winter, if the plant is standing near the battery, it needs spray regularly.

In summer, pots with bushes can be grown on a loggia or balcony. They should be accustomed to the new environment gradually. In the early days of Fresh air plants are taken out for an hour or two.

Watering and feeding

The soil in the lavender pot should be moist all the time. The plant is watered with settled water at room temperature once a day. But, if the room is cool, then the frequency of watering is reduced, since overflows are detrimental to the plant.

Young plants are fed for ten weeks special complex fertilizers every seven days. Mature plants need to be fed only during flowering.

During this period, lavender loves nitrogen fertilizers. At the same time, as soon as the plant fades, their use must be abandoned.

Preparing lavender for winter

Home grown lavender is an evergreen ornamental plant that winter period resting. To do this, you need to create a flower certain conditions and prepare it for wintering:

1. Bushes after flowering should be cut a few nodes above the beginning of flower growth.
2. Dry stems are removed.
3. A pot of lavender is placed in a cool room.
4. Watering is reduced to once a week.

When growing lavender in winter, you need to make sure that the plant has enough light. Otherwise, the leaves will begin to fall and wither.

Application of lavender

Besides what lavender is beautiful plant, its flowers and leaves can be used as a seasoning, or made into lavender oil.

Essential oils from lavender are widely used in perfumery and medicine for therapeutic baths. Crushed and dried leaves of the plant are used in cooking.

They have a tart taste and a rather strong smell. With their help, meat and fish dishes are given a special flavor. Dried herbs are used for making sauces.

Growing lavender at home is not such a difficult task. With good lighting and proper care the plant will reciprocate and will delight with beautiful fragrant flowers.

Growing lavender from seeds at home is usually easy. The plant is popular among housewives. This type of flower has not only a beautiful appearance, but also in sets useful properties capable of curing a number of diseases.

Description of lavender

This is one of the most famous plants, which is in special demand all over the world. The birthplace of lavender is the Mediterranean coast, but despite this, it develops well at home. The flower belongs to the group of perennial, evergreen plants. It is presented in the form of a semi-shrub with numerous shoots. In nature, it can grow up to 60 centimeters tall.

Useful properties of the plant:

• restores the functioning of the nervous system;
• normalizes sleep;
• is a good tool for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
• improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
• has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties;
• relieves muscle fatigue;
• improves the functioning of the joints;
• restores the natural color of the skin;
• helps to improve the condition of the hair.

Lack of light can lead to seedlings stretching, which will negatively affect their further development. Therefore, in cloudy weather, it is recommended to install a lamp near the pot.

It is not difficult to recognize lavender among many other types of plants. This can be done by leaves, buds and smell. The plates have a grayish-silver tint. Lavender flowers are small. They can be either blue or purple. All are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences.

A distinctive feature of this plant is its rich aroma. Strong smell lavender is able to repel insects. Therefore, it is often grown near private houses and in the country.

The bloom of this unique plant can be seen in summer. There are several types of lavender, but only one of them tolerates frost very well. To grow winter-hardy variety, it should be remembered that this can be done using cuttings and grains. The second option is especially popular. It is with this method that it is easy to grow rare varieties that are difficult to purchase in the form of seedlings.

How to grow lavender at home?

Settle at home or on the site fragrant and incredible beautiful flowers not difficult. Before you grow lavender from seeds, you should properly prepare them. It is best to buy grains in a specialized store. In order for them to rise well, special attention must be paid to the time of their collection. It is best to buy seeds from the previous year.

Seed preparation

Growing lavender at home should begin with seed stratification. This procedure is necessary in order to significantly increase the germination of grains. Preparation should begin from winter or even from the end of autumn. To do this, you need to take wet sand and combine it with seeds.
Transfer the mixture to a small container and place in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. Keep in this state for two months. The longer they stay in the cold, the better. This will positively affect the rate of their germination and the speed of seedling development.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

After this time, you can start sowing seeds. The substrate for lavender must be chosen nutritious. You can either buy it in the store or cook it yourself.

To do this, you need to connect:

• part of the sand (better than river sand);
• two parts of humus;
• three parts of garden land.

Before planting lavender seeds at home, the resulting substrate must be well sieved. It should not have debris and large lumps. If this is not done, then small grains may simply not sprout.

It is also necessary to disinfect the soil. To do this, the substrate should be thoroughly shed with a solution of potassium permanganate or steamed.

Sow lavender seeds for seedlings in a container with good drainage. This is necessary in order to prevent rotting of the root system. After the pebbles or broken bricks are laid, the substrate can be poured. Place the grains evenly and sparsely. top coat thin layer sand and pour warm water over everything.

For quick germination of grains, the container should be covered with glass or polyethylene.

The first shoots will appear in 25 days. If after a month the seeds have not germinated, then the vessel must be placed in a cold place for 21 days. This time will be enough for shoots to appear on the surface. After the emergence of seedlings, put the pot on the window.

So that young plants do not get stressed by unusual temperatures, you should not immediately remove the mini-greenhouse. This must be done gradually.

As soon as the seedlings begin to grow rapidly indoors, you can begin to transplant them into separate flowerpots.
The procedure must be carried out very carefully, since the root system of lavender is very delicate and fragile. At first, watering should be done every day, little by little. The liquid should be used only well-settled, and preferably boiled.

Caring for a plant in a flowerpot

To grow beautiful lavender from seeds at home, you need to follow some rules. Following the recommendations will help achieve the desired result.

Place to grow. This type of plant prefers good lighting. Therefore, flowerpots with lavender should be kept on the western and eastern windows. In order for the bush to be healthy and bloom profusely, it must be illuminated from 8 to 10 hours a day. If in the summer period of the year these indicators are easy to observe, then in winter the opposite is true.

In warm weather, flowerpots with lavender can be placed on the terrace, loggia or in the garden. It is necessary to accustom plants to new conditions gradually. In the early days, the pot should be kept outside for no more than two hours.

Air humidity. The flower is not very demanding on these indicators, but still you should not experiment with it. The room in which lavender grows must be ventilated daily. In winter, when the house is working heating system, the flowerpot should be kept away from batteries and other appliances. If this is not possible, then the bush should be sprayed daily with settled water.

Irrigation. Lavender is a plant that loves moist soil. Irrigate the flower should be a liquid at room temperature. In this case, the water should be well settled.

AT summer months watering is carried out once a day, and in winter - once every three days. But in order not to harm the bush, you should check the condition of the topsoil before each procedure. If it is not dry, then watering should be postponed.

Top dressing. Lavender, like most plants, needs. Young bushes should be fed with complex preparations for 10 days.
This must be done every seven days. The mixture should also be applied during the flowering period.

To make lavender happy long flowering, it is recommended to use nitrogen preparations.

When growing a flower, you need to ensure that it has enough light. Otherwise, the bush will begin to drop leaves.

Knowing how to plant lavender seeds at home, you can grow a beautiful and healthy plant. If everything is done correctly, the bush will be fluffy, and the flowering will be plentiful and colorful.

Video about the intricacies of growing lavender

Lavender is a plant belonging to the Angiosperm division, which has a wonderful aroma and color. This essential oil crop, which belongs to the category of evergreen shrubs, is characterized by the presence of rather narrow gray-green leaves and spike-shaped inflorescences.

Depending on the variety grown, lavender can bloom in purple, blue, purple, pink and white, with numerous shades.

sung in many poems and songs. The smell emitted by it becomes indispensable for the sensation of bees and butterflies. Lavender is a good honey plant, as well as an excellent decorator of the surrounding landscape.

It is completely unpretentious in care, practically not subject to the harmful effects of pests and endures drought.

Modern breeders have zoned so many varieties of lavender that now it can be grown not only by residents of temperate and warm climatic zones, but also by amateurs living in cold climates.

The fact is that not only in open ground and warm climates, but also in a potted way, where the climate is quite harsh. You just have to stick to certain rules and then you can fully enjoy its marvelous aroma. By the way, the lavender plant grows for ten years.

Growing lavender from seeds is considered costly and one of the most reliable methods. You can buy its seeds at any specialized flower shop. For cultivation, it is worth using only those varieties that are zoned by breeders for the climatic conditions of the area.

Lavender belongs to the genus Lamiaceae and is distinguished by a wide variety of species, as well as artificially obtained hybrids.

The homeland of this marvelous plant is warm India, as well as the Canary Islands. It was their attractive climatic conditions that contributed to the creation of these exotic plants. By climatic conditions Homeland lavender gardeners judge the creation of conditions for its favorable growth.

Growing lavender from seed is very easy:

• Acquired seeds before planting need to be slightly hardened. Dry seeds are also needed.
• The seeds are then placed in a cold environment, such as a refrigerator, for a period of one month. Such a procedure is necessary to create a state of obligatory dormancy for them, during which they will have time to "rest" a little and prepare for germination.
• Taking the seeds out of the refrigerator, you need to mix them with a small amount of river sand. After mixing the lavender seeds and sand, you need to sprinkle them with a little water, thus creating moisture for them. In this form, the seeds must be kept for about a month. Thus, lavender seeds should be purchased in advance so that they can go through the mandatory preparatory activities before sowing, which take place within two months.

If you plan to grow lavender in a pot, then for this you need:

• Prepare a special pot. It should be equipped with small drain holes and filled with plant-friendly drainage.
• To create a favorable drainage layer, the bottom of the prepared pot is lined with a small amount of pebbles or gravel.
• It is necessary to ensure that the holes in the bottom of the pot are always open for air to enter and remove excess moisture. By the way, it is worth considering the fact that the lavender plant is very sensitive to moisture and does not tolerate stagnant liquid in the pot.
• When preparing the soil for planting, it is best to take a sandy-peat base with a slight alkalinity.
• To improve the composition of the soil, pre-crushed egg shells are added to it, which can alkalize the mixture.
• Seed material should be planted with a small amount of sand, thus creating conditions for the penetration of oxygen to them.

In open ground, you need to choose a site on which there is a sufficient amount sunlight. Unpretentious lavender can grow in a dark place, but in this case, expect early and abundant flowering not worth it. The amount of moisture in the selected soil is also very important for lavender. But it is not worth over-wetting the chosen place for planting, as the plant may die.

In no case should lavender be planted in wetlands with high level location of groundwater.

In cases where there is no good dry place for planting, small drainage layers should be built for the culture. Lavender loves to grow in slightly alkaline soils. To create such conditions, a small amount of lime or ash from burning can first be added to the soil. woody plants. To improve the penetration of air to the roots of lavender, you can add a little compost to the soil, in addition, this event will saturate the soil with macro- and microelements necessary for growth.

Lavender broad-leaved and cultivated as a species of this genus. But with the cultivation of narrow-leaved lavender, you should puff a little, as it is afraid of cold and frost, and can also die from an excess of moisture or dampness.

Growing Tips:

1. It is best to sow small lavender seeds for outdoor cultivation sometime in October.
2. Amateur gardeners, when planting, place prepared seeds in the ground to a depth of no more than four millimeters, while slightly compacting the upper soil horizon.
3. In dry weather, the sown seeds are additionally watered, but this watering should not be very plentiful.
4. When planting prepared seeds, they should be sprinkled on top with a soil mixture of small thickness.
5. A container with planted seeds should be marked in a bright, but slightly cool place. To accelerate the emergence of seedlings, the surface of the soil can be covered with a transparent film. Lavender seeds are characterized by rather poor germination, so it is worth taking more time to wait for seedlings to appear.
6. When the lavender plant reaches the growth phase, which has six pairs of leaves, it is necessary to pluck the top of the plant in order to increase its bushiness.
7. For lavender, regular watering is important, preferably up to two times a day: in the morning and in the evening. At the same time, it is worth spraying the leaves themselves, washing off dust from them and improving gas exchange.
8. The amount of light is also necessary for the intensity of the photosynthesis process and the acceleration of flower formation. But direct exposure of plants to direct rays can cause leaf burn, so watch the angle of sunlight falling on plants.

The lavender plant of the first year of life looks rather nondescript, as during it it tries to build up its root system. The following year, the plant gains green mass, bushes and begins to bloom. Regular ventilation is good for its growth, but drafts can harm the health of lavender, so they should be avoided.

Lavender plants of one year of life need to be cut a little to a height of fifteen centimeters above the soil surface. Such an event helps to give lavender a beautiful and thick shape. The procedure for transplanting lavender must be done in the early spring or autumn months so that it can gain strength and take root in a new place.

Lavender care activities should include mandatory plant nutrition potash fertilizers. Good for her and nitrogen types of fertilizers. But the use of organic manure is not entirely favorable for the growth of this crop. Manure top dressing stimulates only the growth of green mass on lavender, and not flowers, for which the plants are so fond of many residents of our country.

Watering lavender:

• It is necessary to water lavender in cases where the soil near its roots becomes dry.
• It is also not worth pouring lavender, because this can lead to the reproduction of putrefactive bacteria on the roots and the decay of the rhizome itself.
• With insufficient moisture of lavender, the flowering of the plant will also be less abundant.
• Water for irrigation should be at room temperature.

For hilling and mulching. These activities should be carried out in the spring and autumn months. Periodic shearing is also important for the plant, which significantly prolongs its life. It is best to prune the plant after it stops flowering. At the end of each season, you need to shorten the lavender stems a little.

Among the diseases affecting the lavender culture, the most dangerous is gray rot. If a gardener notices a manifestation on lavender bushes this disease, then he immediately removes the affected parts, followed by incineration.

In the structure of gray rot, pennit larvae can settle, which give an unpleasant appearance to lavender by the formation of a white foam that protects them from predators. If such a saliva-like foam is found on lavender, it must be washed off with a stream of water.

To save the plant during the winter from freezing, it is necessary to insulate its aerial parts. For these purposes, old warm clothes or special covering materials are suitable. Before wintering, lavender plants are cut a little and covered with coniferous branches. cover plants plastic bags not desirable.

More information about lavender can be found in the video.

Lavender is one of those plants that is used in almost every industry, be it pharmaceuticals, cooking or perfumery. Its enchanting aroma and unique color have long been perceived as separate components. Creating a lavender mood in the interior with their help is a difficult but interesting task.

How to grow lavender in a pot at home?

In our latitudes, or rather, in the middle lane and northern regions, only one frost-resistant species grows. This is English lavender or narrow-leaved lavender. You have probably seen this shrub in its natural environment. It looks like a small bush with silvery lower shoots and leaves. gray shade. The flowers of narrow-leaved lavender are medium-sized, collected in spikelets and have deep purple colour. And, of course, the lavender scent is hard to confuse. It usually spreads over meadows in the second decade of summer, when the plant blooms.

Reproduction of lavender, like most representatives of the Lamiaceae family, is carried out by seed or vegetative method. Vegetative propagation it is easier to reproduce at home, since lavender produces a sufficient number of layering and cuttings and takes root well. But this technique is better suited for the cultivation of existing varieties. To sprout the seedlings of the new original sample and many seedlings, it is better to get it from seed.

How to grow lavender on the balcony without problems? Take a look at the following types of plants:

• narrow-leaved;
• Serrated;
• Broadleaf or French lavender.

What varieties are suitable for home breeding?

• Suite;
• Munstead;
• lavender lady;
• Dwarf blue;
• Hidcote;
• Aroma of Provence;
• Voznesenskaya 34;
• Anouk.

Packaged seeds are usually calibrated so you don't need to sort them again. But if you wish, set aside for planting the largest samples that have a dense structure and an even shade. If the seeds were collected by hand, they must be cold stratified.

Of no less importance correct selection containers for sowing seeds. Lavender has a strong root system, going deep, so the container cannot be flat. Minimum Diameter a pot for a stronger sprout, transplanted to a permanent place, is at least 30 cm (volume - 2 - 3 l). For germinating seedlings, smaller containers can be used at first. But if the root system receives less nutrition, this will affect the size and shade of the inflorescences.

Another condition for a pot in which lavender is grown: it must be light, so as not to overheat in the sun, and have a well-organized drainage system. Bay, waterlogging and overheating of the roots will lead to the death of the plant.

The optimal composition of the substrate for lavender varieties includes the following components:

• river sand;
• Leaf humus;
• Turf;
• Garden land.

Whatever the soil complex, a layer of drainage is necessarily laid out at the bottom of the pot, which is necessary for aeration of the root system. For the same reason, ordinary garden soil is not used, as it is too dense and will "suffocate" the roots. If you do not know how to grow lavender in a pot on the windowsill, follow all the steps above and start sowing the seeds.

step by step

Seed material for planting an aromatic plant is not cheap. It is for this reason that gardeners prefer seedlings grown with my own hands. While this lengthens the process, there are many benefits. At a minimum, there is a chance to fully control all stages of the growing season. Seedlings obtained from seeds are more resistant and give a good percentage of survival in open ground.

When selecting seeds, take into account the price factor and the name of the manufacturer. If the material for sowing is purchased from private nurseries or farms, ask to see the collection of plants. Reputable gardeners usually have an extensive palette of perennials and will certainly not deny you the right to look at them live. Cheap samples from dubious suppliers may not give the shoots that are expected from them. Try to get the most common information about the purchased material, features of its cultivation and characteristics.

Self-collection of seeds is a painstaking, but doable task. The easiest way to get seeds from dried bouquets. The fact that they remain viable for several years is very convenient. It is best to store seed material in an airtight container, protected from light.

To grow lavender seedlings from seeds, they need to be stratified. If you skip this stage, the seedlings may not sprout or gain enough strength to further development. Stratification is divided into artificial and natural. In the first case, you keep the seeds in the cold, preparing them for sowing in advance. In the second case, sowing is carried out directly in the winter season so that the seeds are stratified immediately in the soil.

Cold treatment takes a long time. Its minimum duration is 30-45 days, more long terms are also welcome. To perform artificial stratification, the seeds are mixed with wet sand or other substrate, placed in sealed bags and kept in a cool room. In this state, they should be 1.5 months.

How else can you activate the growth of lavender seeds:

• After sowing into the soil, spill them hot water;
• Soak the seeds for several hours in a solution with the addition of a growth stimulant or phytohormones.

Seedlings are grown in loose nutrient soil. Ready-made store-bought soil mixtures (universal substrate) or special compositions prepared for seedlings or summers will fit into its role. If the earth mixture is prepared on your own, do not forget to ignite it in the oven or spill it with a manganese solution for disinfection.

Seedlings develop well in shallow wide containers made of plastic or wood. The cassette planting method is not suitable for lavender. Make sure that the seeds are planted in the soil at a not very deep depth.

Seedling sowing can be carried out at the end of the second winter decade or at the beginning of spring. Seeds are laid out at a sufficient distance from each other. This is due to the fact that lavender has a powerful root system with long shoots. The steps look like this:

• The container is filled with soil to a depth of 6 - 7 centimeters;
• The earth is moistened by spraying;
• Seeds are planted manually, the distance between them is at least 2 cm;
• A layer of soil 3 mm thick is poured on top;
• The container is closed with a protective film.

Features of care

In its natural environment, lavender grows in difficult areas and copes with harsh conditions. natural conditions. However, this does not mean that a plant bred at home is unpretentious and does not need any care measures. A prerequisite for growing lavender is its content on a sunny, warm windowsill. In the summer months, the pot can be moved to an open balcony or outside if you live in a private house on the ground.

Since the flower loves abundant lighting, in the cold season with a short daylight hours, it will need additional artificial lighting. This is one of the key downsides to growing lavender due to rising energy costs. The basic rule is that the daylight hours for a plant should last at least 10 hours.

The root system needs a constant supply of air. Therefore, the substrate in pots is regularly loosened, but not to a great depth, otherwise the roots are injured. To prevent moisture from evaporating quickly, renew the layer of mulch after watering. You can mulch the ground with small sawdust or decorative stones. When filling up the protective layer, leave free space near the base of the trunk so that it does not rot.

Watering is carried out moderately, as the top layer dries earthy coma. Lavender tolerates a short-term lack of moisture even better than excessive waterlogging.

To make the bush look attractive and not lose its decorative effect, it can occasionally be cut off, removing overgrown or improperly protruding shoots. Top dressing is applied only for seedlings (twice a month, except winter season). If lavender is propagated by cuttings, the use of fertilizers is optional.

After how much can you transplant, sell?

Lavender grown from seeds will enter the flowering phase no earlier than 12 months later. This is a favorable scenario. Usually, in the first season, the plant is only gaining activity, so all resources go to the development and growth of the root system. Full-fledged inflorescences-spikelets of a trade dress appear approximately in the second year of a bush's life. At this point, you can transplant lavender into open ground.

Conditions for planting lavender in open ground

Transfer - always stressful situation for a plant. If it is transferred to open area, the stress factor doubles. To reduce negative background, select right place. Lavender does not like shaded areas, as the soil remains constantly moist in them. Before planting seedlings, a plot of land is carefully loosened and fertilized with compost. Soils with low acidity (below 6.5 pH) are limed. Each bush should be placed at a sufficient distance from its neighbor (up to 30 cm). The depth of the hole is dug in accordance with the volume of the container and the size of the earthen coma in which the bush is located.

Plant seeds can be sown directly in open ground (without prior germination for seedlings). In order for them to take root, they are performed following conditions:

• Sowing is carried out at the end of September or throughout the month of October. This is done so that by the onset of cold weather the seedlings have already gained a certain strength;
• Seed embedding depth - no more than four millimeters. From above, the soil must be tamped;
• Watering after planting is carried out only if there is a drought in the yard;
• The sown area after snowfall is covered with a thick layer of snow mass or spruce branches to prevent the plantings from freezing;
• If sowing is postponed for some reason to spring, be sure to stratify the seeds for 2 months in the refrigerator.

Care for lavender growing in open ground is carried out approximately according to the same scheme as described above. An exception is regular weeding, since the proximity to weeds will adversely affect the condition of the flower.

Option with transplanting grown seedlings, in contrast to sowing seeds in open ground, gives more confidence in the success of the operation. Inexperienced gardeners are not always able to correctly stratify the first time, which will affect the germination characteristics. But comparing both methods and giving preference to any of them is not entirely true, since each of them has both pluses and minuses.