Propagating Lavender in the Fall for New Spring Plants
As the fall season approaches, homesteaders and garden enthusiasts eagerly prepare for the spring ahead. Propagating lavender from cuttings in the fall is an excellent way to ensure a bountiful supply of these fragrant and versatile herbs in your garden come springtime. Lavender, known for its soothing aroma and various uses, is a beloved addition to any garden.
Let’s dive into the art of lavender propagation, and provide you with step-by-step instructions and tips on how to nurture these cuttings into thriving plants.
Understanding Lavender Propagation
Propagating lavender from cuttings is a time-tested and effective method for growing new plants. This approach offers numerous advantages that make it a preferred choice among gardeners and homesteaders. Let's explore why taking lavender cuttings is such a successful strategy for starting new plants:
Genetic Continuity
One of the primary reasons for taking lavender cuttings is to maintain genetic continuity. When you start new plants from cuttings, you essentially create "clones" of the parent plant. This ensures that the desirable traits, such as specific fragrances, flower color, or growth habit, are preserved in the new generation. If you have a lavender plant with exceptional qualities, taking cuttings is the most reliable way to replicate those traits in multiple plants.
Speed and Predictability
Compared to growing lavender from seeds, which can be a slower and less predictable process, taking cuttings is a quicker and more reliable way to establish new plants. Lavender seeds can take a long time to germinate, and the resulting plants may exhibit genetic variations. Cuttings, on the other hand, root and grow into mature plants faster, providing you with a consistent outcome in a shorter timeframe.
Adaptability
Lavender cuttings are resilient and adaptable. They can be propagated under controlled conditions, such as in a greenhouse, or directly in your garden. This flexibility in propagation methods allows you to choose the approach that best suits your gardening style and resources.
Enhanced Root Development
Taking lavender cuttings involves treating the cut ends with rooting hormone before planting. This hormone stimulates root growth, giving your cuttings a head start in establishing a robust root system. The result is a higher likelihood of successful root development and overall plant establishment.
Preserving Rare Varieties
For those who cultivate rare or heirloom lavender varieties, taking cuttings is an essential strategy for preserving and propagating these unique plants. It's a way to ensure that these special varieties continue to thrive and don't disappear from your garden.
Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Lavender:
1. Select Healthy Lavender Plants
Not all lavender varieties are created equal, and the success of your propagation project hinges on choosing the appropriate variety for your region and climate. Lavender comes in various types, including English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula dentata), and Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), each with its unique characteristics and environmental preferences. Research the varieties that thrive in your particular growing zone to maximize success.
Once you have picked the specific type of lavender, begin by choosing a mature, healthy plant that you want to propagate from. Look for a plant with no signs of disease or pests. It's essential to select a robust and thriving parent plant, as the cuttings will inherit their genetic traits.
2. Choose the Right Time
One of the critical factors in lavender propagation is the timing of when you take your cuttings. Fall is the prime season for this endeavor. As autumn approaches and temperatures begin to drop, the parent lavender plant starts its journey toward dormancy. During this period, the plant's energy is focused on root development rather than top growth, making it the ideal time to take cuttings. This transition into dormancy provides the cuttings with the best possible conditions to develop strong root systems.
3. Prepare Your Tools
Gather the necessary tools and materials, including:
Pruning Shears: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to take your cuttings. Clean them with rubbing alcohol before use to prevent the spread of disease.
Rooting Hormone: Invest in a quality rooting hormone, which aids in root development. Choose a hormone with a higher concentration of auxins for better results.
Pots or Containers: Prepare small pots or containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix, or create your own by mixing sand, perlite, and potting soil in equal parts. Choosing the right soil mix for your lavender cuttings is vital to their success. Lavender thrives in well-draining soil, so create or select a potting mix that is going to set the plant up for success.
4. Take the Cuttings
To successfully propagate lavender, you'll need to choose the right type of cuttings. Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, typically around 4-6 inches long, are ideal for this purpose. These cuttings should have a few leaves at the top to continue photosynthesis while developing roots. Remove the lower leaves to prevent excessive moisture loss, leaving only a small cluster at the top. The area just below a leaf node is the best place to make your clean, diagonal cuts.
5. Apply Rooting Hormone
Rooting hormone is a crucial element in lavender propagation. It contains plant growth hormones, specifically auxins, that stimulate root development. When you dip the cut ends of your lavender cuttings into rooting hormone, you significantly improve their chances of developing strong root systems. Select a high-quality rooting hormone with a higher concentration of auxins for more effective results.
Dip the cut end of each cutting into the rooting hormone, ensuring that it covers the cut area evenly. Gently tap off any excess hormone.
6. Prepare the Pots or Containers
Fill the pots or containers with the well-draining potting mix, leaving about an inch from the top. You can create planting holes using a pencil or stick, making it easier to insert the cuttings without damaging the hormone coating.
7. Plant the Cuttings
Insert the cuttings into the prepared planting holes, leaving about two inches of the cutting above the soil line. Press the soil gently around the base of each cutting to ensure good contact.
8. Water and Create a Mini Greenhouse
Water the cuttings thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is damp but not waterlogged. Cover the pots or containers with plastic bags or domes to maintain high humidity levels. This helps create a conducive environment for root growth. I do this for the first few weeks, but I watch carefully for any sign of mold or mildew. It is a delicate balance to walk between enough air circulation and high humidity levels. Be ready to pivot depending on what observations you make.
9. Provide Ideal Conditions
Place your pots or containers in a location with indirect sunlight. Lavender cuttings thrive in bright, filtered light rather than direct sun. Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold and mildew - remember, pivot if you need to take the domes off.
10. Monitor and Care for Cuttings
Over the next several weeks to a couple of months, monitor the cuttings for signs of root development. Gently tug on the cuttings; if you feel resistance, it's an indicator that roots are forming. Maintain humidity and keep the soil slightly damp but not soggy during this period.
11. Transplanting
In the spring, once your cuttings have developed strong roots, they are ready to be transplanted into your garden or larger containers. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and space the plants about 12-18 inches apart.
Review of the Key Points for a Successful Lavender Propagation
Choose the right lavender variety for your region and climate.
Timing is key: Fall is the best time for propagation as the plant goes dormant.
Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix to prevent waterlogging.
Don't overwater; lavender prefers slightly dry conditions.
Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold and mildew, and balance that with the desire for higher humidity.
Important Note
Even if you do everything right, not all of your cuttings will survive. That’s okay - that’s just part of propagation. On average, under ideal conditions and with proper care, you can expect a success rate of approximately 70% to 80%. So, I will manage this expected loss by starting 30% more cuttings. To come up with a very easy example, let’s say, I know I want 7 lavender plants in the spring, so I will start 10 cuttings. And I will expect at least 2 or 3 cuttings to not make it.
Propagating lavender from cuttings in the fall is a rewarding way to ensure a flourishing lavender garden come spring. Happy propagating, and may your garden be filled with the soothing scent of lavender in the seasons to come.
Hi Friends!
I am Rachel Kulchin, the passionate force behind the Blue Heron Project! As a dedicated Backyard Farmer, I am on a heartfelt mission to rekindle your connection with the garden.
Firmly rooted in the belief of savoring the flavors of seasonal and sustainable eating, I am dedicated to empowering you with the liberating experience of reclaiming control over your own food.
Join me on this authentic and exciting adventure towards a more connected and sustainable garden-to-table lifestyle.