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Lavender: grown from seed
Lavender is a fragrant shrub that can grow up to 2 meters in height, depending on the species. The color of the inflorescences ranges from light purple to dark purple. Lavender, the cultivation of which has its own subtleties, is used not only for decorating plots, but also for medical and household purposes. For example, it relieves insomnia and improves digestion, to freshen the air in the room and flavor the linen in the closet.
Pros of growing from seeds
Growing lavender from seeds is a laborious process, but the reward will be beautiful and fragrant bushes with purple flowers. With this method of cultivation, the plant will bloom only next year. Nevertheless, this method has a number of advantages.
Growing lavender from seeds is a laborious process, but in the end all efforts are paid off with healthy and strong seedlings.
First is the price. More than one plant will grow from one bag, while its cost is less than the cost of 1 cuttings.
Secondly, immunity. When properly planted, the plant will be frost-resistant.
Tricks and nuances when growing lavender from seeds
Also, when choosing this type of cultivation, you need to know some subtleties.
- Stratification. Usually this period is indicated on the package, but in any case it is from one to two months. It consists in the fact that wet sand and seeds are mixed in a small container, and sprinkled with snow or sand on top and placed in the refrigerator.
- Priming. When preparing it, you need to adhere to a 3: 1 ratio, where the first indicator is forest or garden soil, and the second is sand. When it is not possible to get the soil, you need to mix the earth with humus and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. Sand makes the soil lighter and better oxygenated.
- When planting seedlings, you must initially sow in individual containers, since lavender sprouts are very fragile.
- Watering when planting seedlings is not required. The container with seeds must be covered with either glass or a dense film that does not allow air to pass through. The condensation will provide the seeds with the moisture they need. After 2 weeks, when the sprouts have hatched, the covering material must be removed.
Place small stones for drainage at the bottom of the seedling container, since the roots are prone to decay.
The plant needs a 10-hour sunny day. With a lack of daylight hours, you need to replenish with artificial light sources
Young seedlings should be watered with a syringe at the root, as the stems are very fragile. Loosen the soil with a toothpick or a match to avoid soil compaction.
Diligent and attentive gardeners will receive a reward – frost-resistant, healthy and strong sprouts.