This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Lavender

At 05:15 PM 9/17/1998 EDT, you wrote:
>I was wondering if I can propagate my Lavenders by stem cuttings?
>Thanks,
>Wayne
>
Wayne:

Yes, you can, and most herb nurseries do this.  It is necessary for the
named varieties, since seed is usually not available, and vegetative
propagation is the only commonly available way to get true plants.  

Like a lot of Mediterranean Labiatae, wait until you are having active
growth for cutting stock.  The balance of plant hormones present in the
tissue will cause cuttings to form roots.  I've found that you want a
cutting with the firm green stem just above the area where bark is forming
to be the lower third to be plunged in your rooting media (not water!).  The
upper two thirds should be the limpid tip growth, with flowering tops and
excess foliage removed.  Flowers (including buds) will drain off sugars.
Balance the foliage area with the stem plunged underneath the media.  Unless
you have mist propagation, too much foliage will give you a short-lived
constantly-wilted cutting.

Use a well-aerated rooting medium.  The incorporation of washed builder's
sand from alluvial deposits with sharp edges promotes good root growth.
Don't use sea sand, which has rounded edges, and may be impregnated with
inhibitory materials.  Vermiculite and perlite are OK, and I would avoid a
solid peat media.

Rich Dufresne
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index