Growing lavender from cuttings involves taking a piece of an existing plant and encouraging it to develop its own root system, effectively creating a new, genetically identical plant. The reference suggests this can be done successfully by placing the cutting in a pot of compost after preparing it.
Here's a more detailed guide, expanding on that single-line instruction:
1. Select and Prepare Your Cuttings:
- Timing: Take cuttings in late spring or early summer.
- Source: Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots from a mature lavender plant.
- Cutting Size: Aim for cuttings that are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long.
- Preparation: Remove the leaves from the lower inch or two of the cutting. This is the section that will be buried in the compost.
2. Rooting Medium:
- Use a well-draining rooting medium, such as a mix of perlite and peat moss, or a good quality seed starting mix. A general compost mix works too as shown in the reference.
3. Planting:
- Dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone powder (optional, but it increases success rates).
- Make a hole in the rooting medium with a pencil or small stick.
- Insert the cutting into the hole, ensuring that the bare nodes (where you removed the leaves) are buried.
- Gently firm the medium around the cutting.
4. Creating a Humid Environment:
- Lavender cuttings need high humidity to root successfully. You can achieve this by:
- Covering the pot with a clear plastic bag or dome.
- Placing the pot in a propagator.
5. Location and Care:
- Place the pot in a bright, indirect light location. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the cuttings.
- Keep the rooting medium consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Check regularly and water as needed.
- Remove the plastic bag or dome for a short period each day to allow for air circulation and prevent fungal growth.
6. Rooting Time and Transplanting:
- Cuttings typically take 4-8 weeks to root.
- You can check for roots by gently tugging on the cutting. If it resists, it has likely rooted.
- Once the cuttings have established roots, transplant them into individual pots with well-draining soil.
7. Aftercare:
- Grow the young lavender plants in pots for a few months to allow them to develop a strong root system before transplanting them into the garden.
- Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting.
By following these steps, you can successfully propagate lavender from cuttings and enjoy more of this fragrant and beautiful plant.
