To those interested in gardening, I have planted....

Flame

Do a google search for a gardening forum and you are more likely to get an informed answer.

Regards

Mick

We have two or three french lavender bushes that regularly try to take the garden over, but get a huge pruneing and then the bounce back and make more flowers - and fragrance, which we find calming and great to sit by.
I think you will find the fern leaf variety is known for it's ability to grow in arid places and good looks - it has virtually zero in the way of scent though, so your findings would bear this out.

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Flame

Do a google search for a gardening forum and you are more likely to get an informed answer.

Regards

Mick

Anything else we shouldn't be talking about on the "Padded Cell" forum, in your opinion? Or that you could simply ignore, if you weren't interested?

I've heard that the smell of lavender, strategically placed on the pillow, can help get one to sleep!

Mike

Would you ask a hifi question in a gardening forum ?

Regards

Mick

Maybe the lavender needs a name like 'Pashley' before it's ok to be mentioned.
F1 has as much to do with HiFi as gardening - maybe you need to check your uniform colours.

I quote:

"Padded Cell
We know you have other interests so here's a quiet room where you can talk about F1, mountain bikes, computers and whatever else takes your fancy."

PS: Now, I beleive "Flame" wanted to talk about his lavender plant. Flame?

Steve / Mike

I was just trying to make the point that Flame is more likely to get a informed answer from gardenen enthusiasts who frequent gardening fora.

It is at least a sensible question and to be fair he has received a sensible answer which makes a pleasant change from some of the recent drivel we have been getting.

Regards

Mick

Anyway... gardening, eh? Never took to it, myself. Even indoor plants die on me!

Lighten up for God's sake. If Mick didn't exist I'd invent him.

I wouldn't let him vote though.

Mick;

The padded cell is open to virtually any discussion. Your comment about gardening forums is correct, but discussing things here allows me to socialize with forum "FRIENDS" and get information from people who I have come to trust over the years. I'm sure that you are aware of quite a few forum members who take their gardening seriously and who would have helpful advice.

Everybody else;
Thanks for the input. I went for the fernleaf because I read that it tolerates the heat and dryness. The lack of scent comes as a disappointment though. Anybody knows how many times a week I should water them? I've been watering them daily in the morning and they have been growing perfectly. Today though, I've noted that some of the flowers are dying off.

Regards...

quote:

Originally posted by David Scott?:
Lighten up for God's sake. If Mick didn't exist I'd invent him.

I wouldn't let him vote though.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Flame,
What have you got the plants in?
Stu

They are in a pot. I planted them from seeds and they grew so quick and so healthy until now. I water them daily, but starting tomorrow I will cut back on the watering and see how things go. I should say, however, that when I touch the soil during the day it does feel dry, so I doubt that I'm over watering them.

Regards...

Flame, have you checked the roots? It may be time for a bigger pot.

Lavenders prefer soil that is about 50% gravel.More like ballast than compost.Over watering will kill them quicker than drought

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
Flame, have you checked the roots? It may be time for a bigger pot.

How can I check the roots? My pot isn't vented from the bottom.

Thanks

The ventless pot may be contributing to the problem, adding something like a sump effect to the watering.

Lavender is remarkably drought tolerant. I'm not suggesting putting out in the full blast of the unremitting desert sun, but a position where they get morning sun and a bit of shade in the full blast of the afternoon sun, and a mixture of free draining gritty soil and careful evening watering onto the soil surface not the foliage should be ok. If you're currently watering daily, cut back to every other day to begin with, and if that's ok, a couple of times a week perhaps.

Thanks all. Will water every other day. Bees are coming munch, don't worry

Regards...

Lavender comes in several varieties here in sunny CA. They don't want much water and plant them high so crown doesn't rot. I planted a smallish Spanish variety at my folks they all took off and get harsh afternoon sun against a while stucco wall. They bloom regularly but have to shear off the dead ones, too many to nip and tuck.