How to Grow Lavender? A Detailed Guide to Efficient Cultivation Techniques
How do you grow lavender? Lavender is a very beautiful flowering plant with outstanding ornamental value in landscaping. Below, the editor brings you the cultivation and management techniques for landscape lavender.
1 Variety Characteristics
Lavender has moderate cold tolerance. It is much branched, with plants reaching up to 1 m in height. The leaves are grayish-green, opposite, linear-lanceolate, 2-5 cm long and about 0.2 cm wide. Young branches are herbaceous, while mature branches are semi-lignified, with weak stem rigidity. In the first year, plants grow 25-35 cm tall and produce 20-30 clustered branches; in subsequent years they reach over 40 cm in height and produce more than 50 clustered branches. The whole plant is strongly fragrant. The flowering period is from May to June.
2 Selection of Planting Site
Lavender originates from a Mediterranean climate and prefers conditions of rainy, humid springs, dry summers without extreme heat, clear autumns with little rain, and short, severe winters. In areas south of the Yangtze River, choose an open site with good ventilation and drainage, requiring deep soil layers, loose texture, good aeration, relatively high organic matter content, and neutral or slightly alkaline loam or sandy loam; the groundwater level should be below 2 m; there should be no invasive weeds; and the ecological environment should be sound, far from pollution sources, with good air quality.
3 Soil Improvement and Land Preparation
Lavender prefers neutral and slightly alkaline soil, while the soil in the Nanjing area is mostly acidic, so quicklime can be used to improve the soil. At the same time, base fertilizer should be deeply applied to the planting site, applying 15-30 t/hm2 of high-quality organic fertilizer. The Nanjing area is rainy, so to facilitate drainage, "high ridges with deep furrows" planting is generally adopted, with ridge width of about 1.5 m, furrow depth of over 40 cm, and furrow width of about 40 cm.
4 Transplanting and Field Planting
4.1 Seedling Selection
To ensure the survival rate of transplanted seedlings and rapid establishment of the plantation, purchase or select vigorous, strong seedlings. Lavender is mostly propagated by cuttings. The standard for one-year-old strong seedlings: healthy lavender cutting seedlings with plump terminal buds, thick branches, well-developed root systems, no pests or diseases, height of about 20 cm, and crown diameter of 8-10 cm.
4.2 Seedling Transport and Storage
To ensure seedling survival rate, the following points should be noted during transport: 1) Keep the root ball of the seedlings as intact as possible; it is best to transport them directly in plug trays or nutritional pots; 2) During transport, pay attention to shading, cooling, and moisture retention to avoid sun exposure and excessive temperatures that cause roots, branches, and leaves to wither; 3) After the seedlings arrive at the planting site, promptly move them from closed spaces such as cardboard boxes to a cool, ventilated place, and spray water to maintain moisture and improve survival rate.
4.3 Seedling Field Planting
The best time for field planting is early spring or autumn, generally mid-to-late March or late September to early October. Plant spacing is 30 cm, row spacing is 40 cm. Plant about 52,500 plants/hm2. After planting, water promptly to settle the roots. During the growing period, pay attention to regular pinching to form a good plant shape.
5 Field Management
5.1 Fertilizer and Water Management. Soil nutrients directly affect seedling growth. During production, fertilizer and water should be supplemented in a timely manner according to soil conditions. This mainly includes base fertilizer, pre-flowering fertilizer and water, post-flowering fertilizer and water, and overwintering fertilizer and water. Base fertilizer is deeply applied during soil improvement and land preparation.
5.1.1 Pre-flowering fertilizer and water. In the Nanjing area, the weather warms up in mid-to-late February and plants begin to grow. Lavender blooms from May to June, and February to April is the most critical period affecting its flowering period and growth volume, so fertilizer and water must keep up. Apply compound fertilizer at 225 kg/hm2 in March.
From bud break to before flowering, water demand is greatest. Water shortage during this period will severely affect growth and development and flower quantity. The Nanjing area generally has rainy springs, so irrigation is not needed.
5.1.2 Post-flowering fertilizer and water. Post-flowering fertilizer and water is an important factor affecting whether plants successfully overwinter through summer. After flowering, nutrient elements are urgently needed to replenish the nutrients consumed by the plants during the flowering period. At the same time, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can improve the plant's stress resistance and help plants successfully get through summer. Fertilizer supplementation during this period is mainly phosphate and potassium fertilizer, applying phosphate fertilizer at 225 kg/hm2 and potassium fertilizer at 225 kg/hm2.
Water management during this period is mainly drainage. High temperature and high humidity in summer and water accumulation at the roots are important causes of lavender plant death. Especially before and after rainfall, clear the furrows promptly to facilitate drainage.
5.1.3 Overwintering fertilizer and water. Before overwintering, apply autumn base fertilizer, mainly organic fertilizer and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. Generally, base fertilizer is applied in November. Early application of base fertilizer can promote secondary root growth and help plants store reserves for overwintering. Apply organic fertilizer at 15-30 t/hm2, nitrogen fertilizer at 375 kg/hm2, phosphate fertilizer at 375 kg/hm2, and potassium fertilizer at 750-1,500 kg/hm2. Apply by furrow application or hole application.
During the overwintering period, plants are in a dormant state and do not need excessive water. The Nanjing area has warm and humid winters, which can meet the growth requirements of lavender.
5.2 Cultivation and Weeding
Cultivation and weeding not only eliminates weeds but also maintains soil moisture, loosens the soil, enhances aeration, promotes well-developed root systems, strengthens absorption capacity, and promotes vigorous plant growth. Based on irrigation and weed growth conditions, carry out timely cultivation and weeding. Ensure no weeds before flowering, and carry out cultivation and weeding 5-6 times per year. When using chemical herbicides, select the appropriate herbicide according to the weed species in the field, but be careful to avoid spraying the solution onto lavender plants. For newly planted seedlings, herbicide use is not recommended.
5.3 Shaping and Pruning
Throughout the entire growth process of lavender, shaping and pruning should be carried out 2 times to maintain excellent plant shape and ensure ventilation and light penetration.
5.3.1 Summer pruning. After flowering (mid-to-late June), when the rainy season is approaching and flowering has finished, the plants can be pruned. Light pruning is the main approach, mainly removing overly dense branches, pest and disease branches, and residual flowers to ensure uniform plant height, ventilation, and light penetration, which helps plants successfully get through summer.
5.3.2 Winter pruning. Before overwintering (mid-November), combined with winter cutting propagation of small seedlings. After lavender experiences the long period of high temperature and rainy weather in summer in Nanjing, some diseased branches, dead branches, and drooping branches will appear. Winter pruning mainly removes pest and disease branches, dead branches, and drooping branches, combined with shaping, mainly light to moderate pruning, so that individual plants take on a round spherical shape. When pruning, do not cut into the lignified parts, to prevent affecting the plant's overwintering ability and to avoid heavy pruning leading to low sprouting rates the following year.
5.4 Control of Main Pests and Diseases
5.4.1 Disease control. Lavender is susceptible to high temperature and high humidity. Excessive rain in summer can easily lead to diseases. Common diseases include root rot, fusarium wilt, and southern blight, which are prone to occur under conditions of high temperature and water accumulation.
Control methods: 1) Select disease-resistant varieties; 2) Apply decomposed organic fertilizer and apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers in a balanced manner; 3) Plant on high ridges with deep furrows to enhance ventilation and light penetration, provide appropriate shading in summer, and drain promptly after rain; 4) Promptly prune diseased branches, remove severely diseased plants, and drench the roots with fungicide, applying once every 10-15 d for 2-3 consecutive applications.
5.4.2 Pest control. Lavender has relatively few pests, with common ones being aphids and the underground pest white grubs. Aphids often occur in late April and early-to-mid May. Chemical control should be carried out in advance, spraying imidacloprid 1-2 times at intervals of 7-10 d. White grubs often damage the roots and are commonly controlled by root drenching with cypermethrin.
6 Conclusion
The key to growing lavender in the Nanjing area is getting through summer. High temperature and high humidity weather can easily cause lavender to develop diseases and die. In summer, promptly use cultivation measures such as pruning, shading, clearing furrows, and chemical control for ventilation, cooling, and dehumidification. In addition, in winter and spring, cultivation measures such as building soil fertility, shaping and pruning, and cultivation and weeding should be used to improve plant disease resistance.
That wraps up the summary of lavender cultivation and management techniques. Flower growers in need can refer to and learn from it!
Cherry Blossom Tree Management Tips and Pest Control Techniques
As part of the rose family, cherry blossoms bloom in spring, which is why they are also a symbol of spring. Every spring, cherry blossom trees begin to produce white, light red, and deep red blossoms. The petals come in single-layered and double-layered forms, with the difference being that single-layered flowers can bear fruit. Cherry blossoms are very beautiful. As an ornamental plant, how cherry blossom trees should be managed and protected from pests is very important.
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Cherry Blossom Tree Management Tips
I. Disease Prevention and Leaf Protection for Cherry Blossom Trees
Powdery mildew, brown spot, and sooty mold are the most common diseases of cherry blossom trees. If prevention and control techniques are lacking, it can lead to premature leaf drop, causing nutrients to be unable to accumulate and thereby affecting the quality of the flowering period the following year.The control methods: You can use 70% thiophanate-methyl at 1000 times dilution, or 65% zineb wettable powder at 500 times dilution, spraying once every 15 days. Do not use highly effective pesticides such as dichlorvos. Water appropriately and also increase foliar fertilizer spraying to ensure leaves are intact, thick, and deep green.
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II. Autumn Base Fertilizer Application for Cherry Blossom Trees
Cherry blossom trees usually begin to receive base fertilizer around September 10. After that, the fertilizer has enough time to decompose, which allows the cherry blossom trees to begin absorbing nutrients during dormancy. The fertilizer types are mainly decomposed farmyard manure, supplemented with a small amount of chemical fertilizer. For young trees, apply 50 to 75 kg of soil and miscellaneous manure per tree. Autumn base fertilizer should not be applied too deep; 40 to 50 cm is appropriate.
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III. Deep Loosening of the Tree Plate for Cherry Blossom Trees
In autumn, cherry blossom trees need fertilizer. Combined with the application of base fertilizer, turn the soil around the tree roots once, which can increase root depth, store water and conserve moisture, and raise soil temperature. Clean up dead branches, fallen leaves, and weeds within the tree plate, and burn them in a centralized manner to eliminate overwintering pest sources and pathogen sources.
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IV. Autumn Pruning of Cherry Blossom Trees
Cherry blossom trees also need pruning. Based on the tree's growth conditions, promptly thin out dense branches, crossed branches, and overlapping branches. Pest and disease branches should also be controlled, improving the ventilation and light penetration of the canopy and increasing tree vigor. Use a sharp knife to smooth and scrape clean the wounds, apply 5-degree lime sulfur solution for disinfection, then apply tung oil or other protective agents to prevent wound rot.
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Pest Control Techniques for Cherry Blossom Trees:
Cherry blossom trees should be monitored for pests at all times. The main pests harming cherry blossom trees are aphids, red spiders, and scale insects. For these pests and diseases, prevention should be the main approach, spraying 3 to 4 times per year: the first time before flowering, the second time after flowering, and the third time in July to August. Try to avoid using dichlorvos to prevent leaf drop. Water appropriately and increase foliar fertilizer spraying (0.3% to 0.5% urea, 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate) to ensure leaves are intact, thick, and deep green.
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New Green Combined Control Technology for Tea Tree Pests
In recent years, tea tree pests have shown an increasing trend in some areas. To effectively control their damage, many tea farmers resort to spraying chemical pesticides, continuously increasing the number of applications and the dosage. Although this method is simple and fast-acting, it raises production costs. At the same time, spraying chemical pesticides also kills some beneficial insects, disrupts the biodiversity of tea gardens, and pollutes the surrounding ecological environment. More importantly, spraying chemical pesticides directly brings "pesticide residue" chemical contamination to tea leaves. Because tea is a special beverage that is consumed directly without washing after processing, some people have exclaimed that "drinking tea" nowadays is like "drinking medicine." How to effectively control the frequency and dosage of chemical pesticide use in tea gardens, reduce pesticide residue content in tea leaves, and ensure the health and safety of tea drinkers has become a "hot" topic of common concern among many tea producers and consumers.
In fact, China has already researched and developed multiple products for "green control" of tea tree pests, and some products have entered the demonstration and extension application stage. If these products are combined and then scientifically applied according to local tea tree pest occurrence conditions, their damage can be completely controlled within an acceptable range (economic threshold).
"Biological missile" technology: The so-called "biological missile" refers to the pest natural enemy Trichogramma carrying a virus. When artificially reared, virus-carrying Trichogramma are released into the target environment. Trichogramma will actively seek out pest egg masses and lay their eggs inside them, preventing the pest egg masses from hatching. At the same time, they can also spread the virus among the pest population, effectively controlling pest population numbers. This method specifically kills pests without harming beneficial insects and is green and environmentally friendly, so scientists gave it a very vivid name: "biological missile." At present, the use of "biological missiles" to control the formerly very troublesome forest pest - the pine caterpillar - has become a very mature technology, and one year of control produces results for many years.
In recent years, Hubei Baimi Biological Industry Co., Ltd. has applied it to the control of tea garden pests such as tea geometrid and tea tussock moth, and has achieved good results in a demonstration in the ten-thousand-mu tea garden in Chibi City. The control method is: according to the predicted occurrence time of tea garden pests such as tea geometrid and tea tussock moth, timely hang insecticide cards containing virus-carrying Trichogramma eggs in the tea garden. The specific number to hang is determined by the number of pests occurring. After hatching, Trichogramma fly out from the reserved holes in the insecticide cards, seek out egg masses of tea garden pests such as tea geometrid and tea tussock moth, and then lay their own eggs inside the pest eggs. On one hand, through parasitism they reduce the number of hatching pest egg masses and increase their own population numbers; on the other hand, through the virus they carry, they infect the pests, causing them to lose vitality and gradually die. This method is simple and easy to apply, and can achieve obvious control effects in tea gardens with severe tea geometrid damage.
"Sexual attraction" technology: This uses the "sex hormones" secreted by female pests to attract male adult pests into traps and kill them, so that female pests cannot mate and reproduce normally due to the loss of mating partners, thereby reducing the fertilization rate and hatching rate of pest eggs and effectively controlling pest population numbers. Experiments have proven that this method has significant effects on killing tea garden pests of the order Lepidoptera, such as tea tortrix, tea leaf roller, tea tussock moth, and tea geometrid. At present, manufacturers have produced "lure cores" containing female sex pheromones of tea garden lepidopteran pests, as well as matching "traps." When using, simply place them in the tea garden (slightly above the tea canopy) during the adult occurrence period of tea garden lepidopteran pests, with a water basin placed below. When male moths are attracted into the trap and fall into the water, they drown. This method is very simple to operate, and is environmentally friendly and efficient. When used in contiguous tea gardens, the effect is even more significant.
"Snake venom" insecticidal technology: A new technology that involves diluting artificially collected snake venom and spraying it on tea gardens to control tea tree pests. Practice has proven that low-concentration snake venom has a strong contact-killing effect on tea green leafhoppers, but is ineffective against humans and larger insects. Moreover, testing two days after application shows no pesticide residue on tea leaves, and the product meets EU export standards. At present, tea green leafhoppers have risen to become a major pest in tea gardens across various regions. Although using this method to control tea green leafhoppers has a relatively high cost, it has the characteristics of high efficiency, no pollution, and no residue, making it a tea garden pest control technology with great potential. Its use method is: during the occurrence period of tea green leafhoppers, dilute snake venom to a certain concentration as required and spray it directly onto the tea garden.
"Insect-killing lamp" trapping technology: This technology mainly utilizes the tropism of most adult pests (phototaxis, wave taxis, color taxis, and sex pheromone taxis). Through the frequency-vibration lamp tube of the insect-killing lamp, light waves of a specific frequency are emitted, along with light sources of specific colors and sex hormones, to attract adult pests to gather under the insect-killing lamp. Then, through the high-voltage electric grid set outside the insect-killing lamp, the pests that rush to the lamp are electrocuted. This method has the advantages of trapping and killing many pest species, large numbers, low cost, little impact on beneficial insects, no environmental pollution, and good results when used in contiguous areas. It has an obvious trapping and killing effect especially on adults of tea garden pests such as tussock moths, geometrids, and leaf beetles. At present, the most widely promoted and used type in various regions is the "Jiaduo brand" solar frequency-vibration insect-killing lamp. Its use method is: during the adult occurrence period of tea garden pests from early May to late October, install the solar frequency-vibration insect-killing lamp in the tea garden, with the lamp 2.5-3 m above the ground, each lamp spaced 50-100 m apart, controlling an area of about 30 mu. It should be noted that the high-voltage electric grid outside the insect-killing lamp must never be touched by hand. In winter when the insect-killing lamp is not in use, first use a tool to discharge the high-voltage electric grid, then remove the insect-killing lamp for maintenance and storage, to prepare for continued use the following year and avoid electric shock injuries.
"Insect-killing yellow board" pest elimination technology: This mainly utilizes the tropism of tea garden pests to yellow color to attract and adhere pests to the insect-killing yellow board, killing them. Using insect-killing yellow boards can effectively kill many tea garden pests such as tea green leafhoppers, black citrus whiteflies, aphids, yellow thrips, and tea geometrids, thereby reducing tea garden pest population numbers. At present, this technology is relatively mature and has been promoted and applied over a large area in tea gardens across various regions. In recent years, scientists have been developing "digital yellow boards" that are more attractive to pests and less attractive to beneficial insects, to achieve "precision killing" of pests while protecting beneficial insects. The use method of insect-killing yellow boards is relatively simple: insert them among tea rows during the pest occurrence period. Generally, insert 15-20 yellow boards per mu depending on the number of pests occurring, with the board height preferably slightly above the tea canopy.
Sugar-vinegar trapping technology: This method mainly utilizes the tropism of tea garden pests to chemical substances such as sugar and vinegar to kill pests, and the technology is already very mature. The method is: during the peak activity period of pests with strong chemotaxis such as tea garden tortrix and cutworms, put sugar, vinegar, and yellow rice wine into a pot and simmer over low heat into a paste. Then pour a small amount into the bottom of a basin, smear some on the walls of the basin, and place the basin in the tea garden (slightly above the tea canopy). When pests fly into the basin to feed, they stick to the sugar-vinegar liquid and die.
Biological pesticide pest control: Currently, biological pesticides for controlling tea garden pests mainly include plant-derived pesticides such as rotenone, matrine, and azadirachtin, as well as microbial pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana 871, Aschersonia weberi, tea tussock moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus, tea geometrid virus, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Using biological pesticides can effectively control many tea garden pests such as tea geometrid, tea tussock moth, tea green leafhopper, tea slug moth, and black citrus whitefly. At the same time, they are safe for humans and livestock, and will not pollute tea leaves or the tea garden ecological environment. They are "essential medicines" for producing organic tea and export tea with high quality and safety requirements. When using biological pesticides to control tea garden pests, note: First, correctly identify the target pest and apply the right pesticide; Second, grasp the timing of control and apply pesticide when pest resistance is weakest, striking their weak points for twice the result with half the effort; Third, pay attention to the weather when applying, especially when using microbial pesticides. Choose to apply on cloudy days or after the sun sets on clear days, avoiding use under scorching sun, high temperature, strong light, and dry air, to create a good environment for the survival and reproduction of microorganisms; Fourth, apply pesticide appropriately earlier to overcome the problem of slow effectiveness after using biological pesticides; Fifth, according to tea garden pest occurrence conditions, scientifically and reasonably combine different biological pesticides, strictly control the preparation concentration, spray evenly and thoroughly, and maximize control effectiveness.
Traditional plant-based pest control: If it is inconvenient to purchase biological pesticides, you can also use local materials, utilizing certain plants around you, processing them slightly yourself, and then using them to control various tea garden pests. For example, boil fresh pine needles in water, take the filtrate and add soap solution for spraying, to control tea tussock moth, tea geometrid, tea slug moth, etc.; soak and boil tobacco processing waste (tobacco stems, leaf stalks, etc.) in water, take the filtrate for spraying, to control tea mites, scale insects, tea tussock moth, etc.; cut chinaberry leaves into pieces, boil in water, take the filtrate and add washing powder for spraying, to control tea bagworms, green leafhoppers, tortrix, tea slug moth, etc.; cut fresh paulownia leaves into pieces and press out the raw juice, add tobacco waste extract for spraying, to control tea mites, green leafhoppers, tea tussock moth, etc.
Planting trap and repellent plants: On one hand, adopt the "pull" tactic. Utilize the green-tropism and tender-tropism of some tea garden pests by planting a small patch of the same or other plants with strong attraction to pests in or near the tea garden, attracting pests into a certain range and then killing them. At the same time, plants with strong attraction to natural enemies of pests can also be planted in and around the tea garden to attract beneficial insects to inhabit, lay eggs, and reproduce in the tea garden, thereby achieving the goal of pest control. On the other hand, adopt the "push" tactic. Utilize the characteristic that some tea garden pests dislike the odors emitted by certain plants. Plant these plants in and around the tea garden to achieve the goal of repelling pests. Experiments have shown that planting aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary, and lemongrass in or around tea gardens helps repel tea garden pests such as black citrus whitefly, green leafhoppers, and tea weevils, thereby reducing pest damage.
Releasing predatory mites: Releasing beneficial mites in tea gardens to feed on pest mites can achieve the effect of using mites to control mites and reduce pest damage. Generally, artificially reared predatory mites such as Amblyseius deleoni and Amblyseius cucumeris are used to control pest mites such as tea tarsonemid mites and tea orange gall mites. When releasing, first tear open the bag opening of the predatory mites, then evenly hang them under the tea canopy. Release about 20 bags of predatory mites per mu (each bag contains 1500 mites). It is best to release them on cloudy days or in the evening when there has been no recent rain. After releasing mites, insecticide, acaricide, and herbicide should not be sprayed in the tea garden. It should be noted that implementing green control of tea garden pests, compared with conventional chemical control, is first slightly slower in effect, and second does not wipe out all pests, but controls pest population numbers within a certain range, maintaining the dynamic balance of the entire tea garden biological community, so that pests are insufficient to cause major harm to tea tree growth and tea products.