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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: OakCamp AT aol.com
- To: market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
- Subject: Re: Lavender question?
- Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 18:26:33 EST
In a message dated 2/21/01 4:13:49 PM Central Standard Time,
jjvaughn AT juno.com writes:
<< Was wondering if anyone could help me with starting lavender. The seeds
came with a note that I would need to "pre-chill moist seed at 40-45F for
30 days prior to sowing". I figured I would achieve the temperature by
putting them in the refrigerator,but I am wondering what is the best way
to make them and keep them "moist"? I would appreciate any help on how
best to start these Lavender seeds. >>
Hi Julie,
Take some sand or compost and place it in a zip lock bag. Sprinkle enough
water on it to make it moist, but have no water sitting in the bottom of the
zip lock bag.
Add the lavender seeds, close the bag, and knead it until you think the seed
is spread throughout the moistened media. Label it with water proof marker
and throw it in the coldest part of your fridge for a month. Check it every
so often for:
- proper moistness
- appearance of mold- either remove the moldy part or plant them right away
- also do an air exchange in the bag- those seeds are alive and need fresh
air ;-)
Of course you know that these seeds will have to be broadcast planted because
it is impossible to distinguish the seeds in the media. That's OK because
lavender is a pretty poor germinator and not all the seeds will produce a
plant. We just plant them in a flat and take what we can get. Stratify as
much seed as you have-you'll be lucky if you have excess plants when it comes
time to transplant them. They grow very s-l-o-w-l-y. Keep them on the dry
side and watch the pH-they like it slightly high around 7 or 8. Most people
make the mistake of seeing little growth so they decide to water it and
fertilize it until they kill the plant. Once planted out, it will need
fertilizing with compost once in it's 10 year life span. Like most herbs it
flourishes in poor soil with good drainage and lots of sun.
HTH,
Barb Birkinbine
Oak Camp Herb Farm, OCIA cert. organic
-
Re: Lavender question?,
Jim and Julie Vaughn, 02/21/2001
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: Lavender question?, Miranda Smith, 02/21/2001
- Re: Lavender question?, OakCamp, 02/21/2001
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