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florasita
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:19am | IP Logged
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I am in need of advice regarding growing lavender plants . I started plants from seed two yrs ago . They've done very well and I have at least twelve plants however some seem to be straggly while others are full and bushy looking . All plants are not huge probably being in a zone 4 and amounts of sunlight have something to do with growth .
I would like to know about pruning . Are we to prune the plants ? Should I be pinching off ends or something ?
How can one encourage lavender to grow more ?
any help appreciated .
Thanks , Roxie
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:23am | IP Logged
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Ooh! Great question, Roxie! I'm sitting here with my notepad and pencil ready everyone! 
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Jen Mackintosh
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stefoodie
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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from Sunshine Lavender Farm
I finally have lavender this year that's growing nicely. Planted them last year and they were blah, until this spring! I plan to start up lots of new ones from the seeds, or if I don't have time I'll just let them reseed, but I needed the reminder, Rox, as I haven't put "prune lavender" on my calendar. Going off to do that now.
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stef
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 18 2009 at 5:42am | IP Logged
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For whatever reason, lavender is something that grows well here. We live in MI where it is zone 5, but because we are right near the river and woods we have microclimates that are closer to zone 4. I have two plants in a flower bed that are like shrubs and absolutely beautiful. I hate to do anything to them because I'm afraid i will mess them up. But, I do know that it is good to prune back the dead wood. To be honest, I'm not sure of the best time to do this , but I wait until mine start flowering and I can really see which wood is actually dead.
I have some other plants growing in my herb garden that aren't doing as well. They are only about 18" high, but they are flowering okay. I believe it's because the herb garden soil has more clay. The soil in the flower bed is very sandy and we add mulched leaves every year to try to keep the moisture in. I think the lavender prefers sandy soil.
Editing to add: Oops, I should have just read Stef's link. Lots of better info there!
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lilac hill
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| Posted: July 18 2009 at 6:21am | IP Logged
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I "prune" by cutting the flower stalks when they are ready for harvesting and drying. I am sure there is a better way, but it works here. After greening up in the spring, if I notice any dead branches, I prune those when I am doing my spring clean up.
For design reasons, I planted my lavendar inside a ring of boxwood shrubs, they offer protection from too much wind and they also seem to shade the bare ground from the freeze/thaw cycle that gets too many of my perennials when we don't have reliable winter snow cover.
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molly
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| Posted: July 18 2009 at 7:44am | IP Logged
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I have found starting lavendar from seed to be very difficult. Mine thrive in well drained soil and loys of sun.
I did not read the link, I am just telling you how mine flourish 
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florasita
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| Posted: July 18 2009 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
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This is great gals ! Oh my , our lavender looks so pathetic compared to those in the pics but I am so happy to have achived growing so many plants from seed ! However small they may be  I think perhaps adding a bit of sand to the soil for a bit more drainage may do the trick .
Am a tad worried to trim when they are so small but perhaps prune a few and see the outcome before touching all of the plants .
I cannot beleive I will have to resort to using a plant light this winter ! Our noighbour has grown a forest in his back yard and now our sunroom is no longer a sunroom !
New adventures never cease
Thanks a bunch !
Rox
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: growing lavender ?
