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Post by smiffy on May 2, 2007 4:54:49 GMT
I have a couple of lovely lavender plants in my front garden, that contrast well with my white standard roses. They are looking a bit straggly now though. When do I prune them, bearing in mind it is autumn here, and do I just 'hack' or do I carfully snip?
I would like to try and 'plant' some of the cuttings to make new plants, should the cuttings for this be woody, or soft?
I am sure there is someone there who can help!
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Post by Lord L on May 2, 2007 5:15:49 GMT
I have a couple of lovely lavender plants in my front garden, that contrast well with my white standard roses. They are looking a bit straggly now though. When do I prune them, bearing in mind it is autumn here, and do I just 'hack' or do I carfully snip? I would like to try and 'plant' some of the cuttings to make new plants, should the cuttings for this be woody, or soft? I am sure there is someone there who can help! You should take lavender cuttings in these parts around August, so whenever would be the equivalent month - about February I suppose, and they should be soft-wood cuttings, I believe. As far as pruning goes, you can be quite brutal, but you shouldn't cut into old, bare, wood: if it is not still producing leaves it probably won't regrow.
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Post by revmichael on May 2, 2007 7:10:03 GMT
Yes, of course, Lord L is correct. I once pruned a lavendar very hard but I went too mad and it never grew again, so Lord L's warning is helpful. You should cut down as hard as you dare but NOT into the old bare wood.
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Post by Fi on May 2, 2007 14:19:37 GMT
You could also try replanting it with all the straggly bare wood under the soil surface. I tried that once and it worked a treat, but another time failed miserably. I suppose it's like taking cuttings without actually cutting anything.
As for the method - this page from the RHS will tell you all you need to know.
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Post by smiffy on May 3, 2007 9:39:28 GMT
Thanks all! I will try taking cuttings now, even if it is the wrong time! I am working on the principle it is still warm...
I'll let you know!
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Post by revmichael on May 3, 2007 10:24:29 GMT
You could also try replanting it with all the straggly bare wood under the soil surface. I tried that once and it worked a treat, but another time failed miserably. I suppose it's like taking cuttings without actually cutting anything.
As for the method - this page from the RHS will tell you all you need to know. Thanks Fi. I never thought of that.
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Post by revmichael on May 3, 2007 10:25:14 GMT
Thanks all! I will try taking cuttings now, even if it is the wrong time! I am working on the principle it is still warm... I'll let you know! I thought it was always warm, hot, or very, very hot in Oz. But perhaps Adelade is a bit cooler than some parts.
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Post by smiffy on May 3, 2007 10:30:49 GMT
Thanks all! I will try taking cuttings now, even if it is the wrong time! I am working on the principle it is still warm... I'll let you know! I thought it was always warm, hot, or very, very hot in Oz. But perhaps Adelade is a bit cooler than some parts. It is cooler here, we have the heating on now Rev!
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msoncenightly
TOG
over the hill?what hill! I didnt see any hill !!
Posts: 425
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Post by msoncenightly on May 5, 2007 6:34:30 GMT
I always wait till Autumn then cut out all the long spikes that have been flowering all summer, and reshape gently, give them an autumn feed and leave them to their own devices, here in the UK my lavender come up year after year with that treatment ! but I am just a amateur ! mon x
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Post by Penny Drops on May 5, 2007 6:40:07 GMT
Hi Smiffy I trim my Lavender with shears. works a treat - but don't cut into the old wood. Just got back from Oz meself - first time there and loved it
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