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Growing lavender from seeds at home is the most affordable way to obtain this herbaceous perennial. It grows well in flowerpots and boxes, on loggias and window sills. In the garden, fluffy bushes with bright inflorescences look original in rockeries and as a border. Lavender gained popularity among gardeners several decades ago and is considered one of the most beautiful flowers.
Lavender is the oldest plant on the planet, growing in the south
Features of growing lavender from seeds
Lavender is a versatile plant with a subtle aroma. It came to us from the Mediterranean, but despite this, it takes root well in Russian cities. There are several ways to grow it, but recently the option of seeds has gained wide popularity.Many people consider this procedure to be very labor-intensive, but as practice shows, this is not entirely true. The only difficult point is stratification. Otherwise, this option has the following advantages:
- obtaining a large number of seedlings;
- saving time;
- acceptable cost.
But despite this, to become the owner of a lush flower garden, you will have to try. Lavender requires regular care: loosening, watering, weeding, pruning and fertilizing. It does not grow in open ground in all climate zones.
Lavender is perfect for growing on balconies, in pots and flowerpots
What do lavender seeds look like?
Lavender seeds are very small, brown or black in color, and have a pleasant smell. You can get them in two ways: buy in a specialized store or collect them yourself. When purchasing planting material, you should contact only trusted companies and focus on prices. Cheap lavender seeds are unlikely to be of high quality. It is also necessary to study the packaging in detail; it should contain recommendations for care, information about the manufacturer and the name of the variety.
How to collect lavender seeds
The seeds of the herbaceous shrub are easy to collect yourself. Can be used not only fresh. If you adhere to the recommendations and planting rules, they will sprout well 3-5 years after collection.
To collect seeds, you need mature, blossoming inflorescences, for which bouquets purchased at a flower salon or grown on your own plot are perfect.Before collecting, they are dried well, after which all scattered seedlings are placed in containers and hermetically sealed.
Plant seeds should be collected from dry bouquets
How to plant lavender seeds at home
To grow an aromatic shrub at home, on a windowsill, you will need to carry out a number of procedures: collect seeds, prepare containers, suitable soil, and process planting material. The final result directly depends on the correctness of these actions.
When to plant lavender seeds for seedlings
Seeds are sown for seedlings in late winter. The most favorable time for the procedure is considered to be the period from February 20 to March 15. You should not expect rapid emergence of seedlings, since lavender takes a very long time to germinate. The first shoots begin to hatch 15-17 days after planting, and their friendly appearance from the ground will occur in about a month.
Preparing containers
When choosing a container for sowing, it is better to give preference to containers that are not too deep (maximum 7 cm), but wide. It is permissible to use a box with a pallet, but subject to the obligatory condition - it must be spacious.
Seedlings grow well in spacious boxes
Soil preparation
A loose nutrient substrate recommended for growing indoor plants is considered ideal for planting shrubs. It is advisable to use universal light soil mixed with sand and peat or perlite. Long-acting fertilizers added to it will have a positive effect.
Preparing lavender seeds for sowing
Before planting seeds in the ground, they must be properly prepared. It is imperative to carry out long-term stratification; without this procedure they will not germinate. Cold treatment can be carried out in the refrigerator: mix the seeds with sand, put them in a container, and keep them in a chamber for two months. Or in a natural environment: sow in the soil before winter.
Some gardeners are experimenting with processing methods:
- scald the sown seeds;
- treated with growth stimulants or phytohormonal preparations.
But such methods do not guarantee even 50% results.
Lavender seeds can be planted in open ground in October
How to sow lavender seeds for seedlings
Sowing lavender seedlings is carried out in a clear sequence:
- Place the calcined substrate into the prepared container without pressing it down.
- Spray the surface of the earth with water using a spray bottle.
- Place the seeds two centimeters apart.
- Sprinkle with a small layer of soil.
- Cover the container with film or put it under glass.
- Move the container to a room with conditions suitable for germinating lavender.
When most of the seeds sprout, the cover should be removed. Place young sprouts on a windowsill near a window with bright lighting. If there is a lack of sunlight, they will have to be illuminated. Daylight hours should last about ten hours.
How to grow lavender seedlings from seeds
In order for lavender seeds to sprout well, it is necessary to maintain the correct microclimate in the room where the containers with flowers are located. And for the subsequent growth and development of seedlings, it is important to pick them up in time and be sure to harden them.
What does lavender seedling look like?
A couple of weeks after planting, the first green shoots should appear from the ground. After which, in order to avoid pulling them out, it is necessary to provide the seedlings with additional lighting. When the lavender leaves acquire a grayish-green color and their shape begins to become more oblong, you can begin picking.
Disposable cups are perfect for lavender seedlings
Microclimate
In order for lavender bushes to grow strong, you must adhere to two basic rules:
- maintain the temperature in the room where the containers with seeds are located within +15 +21 °WITH;
- provide the future plant with bright lighting.
It is advisable to provide the soil with light but regular moisture during the period before the sprouts appear. Don’t forget to spray the soil and ventilate the containers daily.
Picking
Picking is carried out when the lavender has formed one pair of true leaves, during the development of the third. It is worth noting that even young seedlings grow very powerful roots, which will not have enough space in a small container.
Sprouts need to be transplanted very carefully, preferably into individual pots or plastic cups, but large boxes can also be used. If picking occurs in one container, then the distance between seedlings should be at least 6 cm. Warning! You need to transfer the lavender sprout to another place without destroying the clod of earth and kneading the soil around it well.
Hardening
In order for seedlings to successfully adapt to new conditions, they need hardening. To do this, lavender is taken outside, starting from one hour a day and gradually increasing the period of stay. Hardening must be carried out for at least a week.
At home, lavender can bloom even in winter
Transplantation into the ground
When transplanting lavender into an outdoor flower bed, you must choose flower beds that are well lit by the sun, with light sandy-clay or rocky soil. The best option would be a pre-prepared mixture consisting of humus, sand, mineral fertilizers and soil from the planting pit. When planting, it is necessary to take into account the step between the sprouts, it must be at least 30 cm, as well as the diameter and depth of the hole - from 25 cm.
When does lavender grown from seeds bloom?
Bushes grown from lavender seeds delight gardeners with inflorescences only 13-14 months after germination. At first, the plant develops slowly, growing its root system and shoots. And the next year it takes root well, begins to develop quickly, bloom luxuriantly and exude a wonderful aroma.
Lavender can be brought into the garden at the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed.
Advice from professionals
Experienced gardeners who are closely involved in growing lavender from seeds believe that anyone can grow it at home. To achieve a positive result, you just need to follow a few simple rules:
- Select only warm and sunny areas as a permanent location.
- Use a pot with good drainage and drainage.
- Subject lavender seeds to stratification, which should last at least 40 days.
- Cut or pinch the top of the bush when six pairs of leaves appear on it.
- Regularly water the plant with settled water and irrigate its green mass.
- Fertilize the soil with mineral fertilizers.
- Provide the bushes with 10 hours of daylight.
- Additionally, moisturize lavender if it grows near heating devices.
- Trim the plant after flowering.
- Every year, replant young lavender growing in flower pots on the loggia.
Conclusion
Growing lavender from seeds at home is a labor-intensive procedure, but not too complicated. If you strictly follow all the recommendations, you can make a small lavender flower garden even in your apartment and enjoy its beauty and fragrance not only in summer, but also in winter.
