Looser habit and paler foliage and flowers than Lavandula angustifolia

Life Cycle: Perennial

Familiy, Origin: Lamiaceae, Mediterranean

Sitelocation: Full sun

Garden Height: 45 cm (17,72 inch )

Natural flowertime: June - July

Crop Time: Plug crop: 9 weeks Green pots: 16-20 weeks Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization

Sell Period: 5-8

Sowing Time: January-March for green pots June-August for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing Method: 1-2 seeds per plug

Germination: 10-14 days at 22-24 °C in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-7.0. May require added moist cooling period (4-8 weeks at 5 °C. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide against Phytophthera. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture: From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150 ppm.

Growing On: 4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) or packs and 1-2 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 cm). For flowering pot production ensure appropriate pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality.

Media: Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. perlite, sand, bark), 1-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light: Long day plant. The long day (12-14 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended.

Temperature: Grow at 12-21 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 6-8 weeks at 18-21 °C. Cold temperatures at 12-15 °C will increase the cultivation time by 3-4 weeks. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation for at least 15 weeks at 3-5 °C is required. A forcing in spring with warm temperatures need high light intensity and decreases the cultivation time.

Fertilization: Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the shoots are stretched and the plant fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints: Cultivate rather dry, because the roots are very sensitive to wet substrates or soils. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. After planting, before wintering and in spring treat the pots with fungicide against Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora. Planting in warm and sunny locations. Protect the plants in winter against frost.