What are the aspects of lavender management?

Temperature and light management of lavender

Lavender likes sunlight, and the place for potted planting requires sufficient sunlight. It likes coolness and is afraid of high temperature and high humidity. Controlling temperature, light and water is the key.

If the temperature is higher than 38-40℃ for a long time, the top stems and leaves will turn yellow. It cannot tolerate the heat and humidity. In summer, it needs to be moved to a place where there is no direct sunlight, or a shade net with 50% light transmittance should be used for shade to avoid direct sunlight, increase ventilation, reduce the ambient temperature, and keep cool so that it can safely get through the hot summer.

Depending on the requirements for light in different periods, the plant should be exposed to light in a timely manner. For example, full light should be ensured as much as possible in winter and spring. Lavender is a long-day plant, and light plays an extremely important role in its growth and development and the formation of aromatic oils. Excessive shading will cause it to grow too tall and make it susceptible to diseases.

How to water lavender

If water accumulates around the roots of potted lavender for a long time, the roots will easily rot and die. If the soil in the pot remains dry for a long time, it will also be detrimental to the growth of the plant and may even cause it to die.

Therefore, you should follow the principle of "don't water unless the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when the soil is dry". Start watering when the leaves of the potted lavender begin to wilt slightly. Normally, keep the surface of the potting soil dry and the inside of the potting soil moist.

In summer, watering should be done in the morning or evening, avoiding high temperatures. Be patient when watering, and pour water from the edge of the pot. Do not splash water on the leaves and flowers, otherwise they will easily rot and breed diseases and pests. The amount of soil in potted lavender is limited, so it is particularly important to water it at the right time and in the right amount.

How to fertilize lavender

Lavender is tolerant to poor soil and has low requirements for fertilizer. From March to May, you can use water-soluble quick-acting fertilizers, such as 1% to 2% urea or compound fertilizers. From June to August, fertilizers should be mainly phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizers. Do not use too much nitrogen fertilizer, as it can easily cause excessive growth. When repotting in winter, add bone meal and superphosphate to the potting soil as base fertilizer.

Lavender pruning

In order to make the potted lavender plant beautiful in shape and have an appropriate ratio of flowers and leaves, the newly grown inflorescences should be of uniform height. After flowering, it is necessary to prune the plant in time. The plant can be pruned to 2/3 of its original size, which will make the plant stronger and more conducive to growth. During the hot summer, pruning should not be too heavy and the woody parts should not be cut to avoid weakening and death of the plant. Normally, cut off dry, overgrown and messy branches at any time. Appropriate heavy pruning in late summer and early autumn can promote new branches and adjust the plant shape, such as hemispherical, spherical, square column, etc.

Major pest and disease control

The main disease of lavender is root rot. In a high temperature and high humidity environment, ventilation should be strengthened and the air should be kept dry.

Especially from June to October, the pots should be turned over in time after rain, and care should be taken to prevent water accumulation in the potting soil.

In the early stage of the disease, you can use 800 times solution of thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim to irrigate the roots once a month.

Common insect pests include red spider mites and aphids. When aphids cause damage, you can use 2000-3000 times diluted 50% cypermethrin or 2000-3000 times diluted 10% cypermethrin for spraying, once a week for 2 times in a row. When red spider mites cause damage, you can use 2000 times diluted propargyl for spraying, once a week for 3 times in a row. Be careful when spraying and spray both the front and back of the leaves.