How to Grow Lavenders
 Contents | The List of the Flowers |
Data / Charm of Lavenders / Seeding / Other Breeding Method / Location / Watering /
Fertilizer / Pests / After the Flower / Utility / Medical Effect / Example Breeding
Data
Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
Family: Labiatae
Origin: Mediterranean
Type: Seeds (Perennial)
Seeding season: Spring, autumn
Blooming season: Summer
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Charm of Lavenders
Lavenders are pretty common in aroma therapy. The fragrance has sedative effect, and it is often used to relieve the insomnia of people with much stress. Their cool purple color also is attractive.
The origin of the name is the French word, which means "to wash", and lavenders used to be utilized for washing clothes and taking bath. ΐ
It is not easy to make them germinate. However, once they have germinated, it could be easy to care, because they do not like to be fertilized or watered too often.
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Seeding
It is easy to take care of the seedlings, however it is somewhat difficult to grow them from seeds. Germination rate is extremely low, and they do not germinate at the same time. Some of them germinate even 1 year later.
The best seeding season is spring and autumn, when it is cool. To make them germinate at the same time as possible, it is recommended to do such pre-treatment as soaking the seeds in water for 2 nights or wrapping the seeds in wet kitchen towel and keeping them in a refrigrator for about a week (However they still do not germinate at exactly the same time).
When the seeds are ready to be seeded, seed them in about 1 inch deep, and keep them in the shade with covering with plastic wrap.
To think of the low germination rate, it is better to seed them in a small pot at first and transplant them to a container after germination. The proper transplant timing is when the seedling is having 3 or 4 foliages.
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Other Method
General method is to cut the stem and plant it in soil. In early summer, cut the seedling without flower buds into proper length (3-4 inches), and plant them in wet vermiculite. Then, when the root is generated, transplant them into the container.
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Location
Though the germination process is performed in the dark place, lavenders shoud be transferred to the bright place after germination. They became thin and weak if they do not get enough sunlight. You may wonder what if they do not germinate at the same time. In this case, you can transfer them to sunny location after the first one has germinated.
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Watering
Because lavenders like dry climate, it is important to keep them in dry environment. Wait until the surface of the soil gets very dry, and then water throughly. Do not leave water in the saucer.
The rainy season in Japan is a hard season for lavenders, because it is wetty and hot. It might be good to keep them inside during the rainy season.
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Fertilizer
Fertilizers may inhibit the grows and weaken the aroma. Do not fertilize them as far as possible.
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Pests
Small sprouts are birds' favourite. It is recommended to cover the container until the seedlings become 1/2 or 2 inches.
Regarding bugs, you do not have to worry too much, because lavender themselves generate anti-insect substances.
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After the Flower
If you cultivate the flowers when they are not fully open, they have another flowers next year. The fragrance of lavender helps you go to sleep. So, why don't you try to keep dried flower in your bedroom if you often suffer from insomnia?
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Utility
Dry Potpourri
There are various utilities if you make dry potpoirri. For example, you can put it as itself in the bathtub, or pack them in gauze or non-woven fabric and put it between the pillow and the pillow case. The aroma of lavender also may prevent mortion sickness, so you can keep it inside the car.
Here is how to make dry potpourri.
Lotion
Because lavenders have anti-bacterial and insectcidal effects, this lotion may be the first aid for burns, or protection for insects.
Materials: Lavender (1 cup), distilled water (1 to 2 cups), essential oil (a few drops), ethanol (2 tsps)
1. Add lavenders in boiled distilled water, and keep boiling for a few minutes.
2. After 1 cools down, add all other ingredients, and leave it for 2 weeks.
3. Filter with gauze.
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Medical Effect
Caution: It is not recommended to make medicines because it is risky to intake plants without professional knowledge.
See the details at Risk of the Plants and Aromatic Effect.
Medical Parts: Essential oil excracted from the flowers, dried or fresh
flowers
Indication: Loss of appetite, nurvousness and insomnia
Because the juice of fresh anemone may cause irritation, it is recommended to wear gloves if you have sensitive skin. The poisoness substances are decomposed and less irritative, if the anemone is cut into small pieces or dried.
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Example Breeding
English Lavender
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