Problems with Lavender ?
One of the biggest problems and causes of Lavender dying out is the overwatering of potted Lavender or excessive soil moisture for those plants grown in the ground. Lavender grows in loose, slightly sandy or gritty alkaline soil that is fast draining. Learn about what Lavender likes in terms of planting and growing conditions.
Over wet soil conditions leads to fungus and root rot problems. This can cause wilted black leaves where the plant is dying back. Treatment involves cutting back of the diseased areas and allowing the plant to dry out.
Frequently, once started it is too late to save a plant suffering from this condition. High humidity in the air can promote this type of problem as well. What do you do? You can take cuttings from the remaining healthy sections and root them to get a new plant.
Lavender prefers loose soil that will not compact around its roots preventing the excess moisture from draining away. Learn about the best potting soil mix for those Lavender plants grown in pots.
Plants do well in dry, stony poor soils which makes it an excellent plant to grow on a hot sunny bank where the water can easily run off.
The second biggest problem is not enough sun.
Lavender comes from a dry climate region that has tons of sun. This plant loves to sunbathe! Think about hot, sunny, breezy days at your favorite beach and you have what it likes. Learn how to move or transplant your Lavender plants.
Frequently people plant Lavender where they want it to be and not where it prefers to be. Find a warm, sunny, airy location, and choose the right Lavender variety for your area. Prepare the soil if necessary by loosening it and adding sand to loosen compacted clay soils and promote much needed drainage.
The last problem many people have is with pruning and shaping their plant. If you want a nice compact bushy plant that has a nice mounded shape you will need to prune twice a season cutting back the green growth by half shortly after harvesting your Lavender flowers.
Learning about when is the best time to prune your Lavender can make all the difference in the world for those of you in areas with extremely cold climate. A little winter care and a few preparations for cold weather conditions lessens problems for plants.
In olden times people did not prune their plant and allowed it to grow large forming a big shrub. This occurred in the cottage herb gardens where there were drifts of flowers. These Lavender plants had old woody growth and bare spots but were loved all the same.
Now a days many prefer them as well groomed shaped plants which does greatly increase the flower production. We do grow it for the Lavender flowers don't we?
Understanding what kills Lavender plants and how to care for your plant greatly reduce any problems you might have leaving you time to focus on crafting things from your plants instead. Learn about the many other ways to use Lavender.
