What are the cultivation methods for Spanish lavender?

SummarySoil: Prefers well-drained slightly alkaline or neutral sandy soil. Temperature: The optimal growing temperature is 15-25°C, and it can grow normally at 5-30°C. Light: In spring, autumn and winter, give plenty of full-day sunlight; in summer, provide appropriate shade. Watering: Water after the potting soil dries out, watering thoroughly each time, and the water must not splash onto the leaves or flowers. Fertilizing: Apply a top dressing once every 3 months, mainly phosphorus fertilizer. Pruning: Promptly cut off dry and withered branches. Pests and diseases: Actively prevent and control root rot, etc.

1. Choosing soil

Spanish lavender loves to grow in well-drained slightly alkaline or neutral sandy soil, so for potting soil you can use a mix of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 peat for cultivation.

2. Suitable environment

Spanish lavender loves to grow in a cool environment. The optimal growing temperature is 15-25°C, and generally it can grow normally as long as the temperature is between 5-30°C. If the temperature is above 35°C, or remains above 38-40°C for a long time, the upper stems and leaves of Spanish lavender will easily turn yellow and dry. Generally, in the winter in northern regions, when the temperature drops below 0°C, it will begin to go dormant. 

3. Light requirements

Spanish lavender is a full-sun flowering plant, so in spring, autumn and winter, give it plenty of full-day sunlight. Of course, Spanish lavender can also grow normally in partial-sun conditions, only it will bloom relatively sparsely. In the hot summer, you need to shade Spanish lavender from 50% of the light, and strengthen ventilation and lower the ambient temperature.

4. Watering requirements

Generally, after watering Spanish lavender thoroughly, wait until the potting soil is dry before watering again. If the potting soil is excessively moist, the leaves of Spanish lavender will show slight wilting. Watering can be done in the morning, and be careful not to splash the leaves or flowers, so as to avoid rot or pest problems in the plant.

5. Fertilizing matters

You can place bone meal in the potting soil as a base fertilizer. During this period, apply a top dressing once every 3 months. If it is a Spanish lavender seedling, you can apply Hyponex No. 2. After the Spanish lavender matures, apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer higher in phosphorus, such as Hyponex No. 3. The concentration must not be too high when fertilizing.

6. Pruning and shaping

After Spanish lavender blooms, you need to cut off the first node of the branches that have flowered. You can also prune the plant into a hemispherical shape. Normally, you only need to cut off dry and withered branches. In addition, in order to control the plant's growth height, you can generally carry out appropriate heavy pruning of Spanish lavender in late summer and early autumn, which helps promote the growth of new branches.

7. Preventing and controlling diseases

A common disease of Spanish lavender is root rot, which generally has a relatively high incidence under waterlogged or high-temperature conditions. During this period, you can use an 800-fold solution of carbendazim and chlorothalonil to drench the roots. It is recommended to drench the roots once every 30 days. Especially from June to October, promptly drain any accumulated water in the pot, and at the same time keep the environment dry.  

8. Repotting

Spanish lavender grows relatively fast, so it needs to be repotted once every 1 year.