My husband and I are getting ready to move, and we'd like to take our lavender with us. I've never transplanted a plant before. Any suggestions? It's about a foot high and two feet wide. Thanks!
--Dana
Transplanting Lavender
i would find a pot big enough for it,, dig and keep in pot till ready to plant,, it will shock,, some,, not to to much,, but roots should be pretty good size,, give some fert. once in pot to perk up,, just get planted well be for frost,, I hope that helps some for you,, it might not bloom this year,, but it should be fine next,, I move mine from time to time around the yard,,
Should I wait until the last minute to dig it up, or will it hurt it to be in a pot for awhile? I think we have one that will probably do, unless the roots are way bigger than I think. I should be able to plant it fairly soon after we move.
Cut it back quite severly, and pot it up now so it has some time to adjust. If you cut it back, the roots will have less plant to support and it will be easier to move. It probably wouldn't hurt to trim the roots a little, but leave as much as you can and make sure that it doesn't get too dry in the pot. Of course, don't soak it either. Worse than babies!
I transplanted a lavender this spring from my old garden to my new garden. It was in a pot for about a week before being planted in its new location. It was only 1 year old so not as big as yours, and it dies back over the winter and re-shoots in the spring. Anyway, it was transplanted into the new location in mid-April and it's already flowering. I read that it's good to cut back the flowers in the first year after transplanting to force the plant to focus on root and foliage growth rather than on flowering. That might be a good idea in your case. I am cutting back most of the flowers and just leaving a few. It did not appear to suffer any damage from the transplanting or being left in the pot for a week, and it looks very healthy now. It is just a regular English lavender (angustifolia).
Yes, I think mine's English Lavendar, too. Thanks for the great info. Cutting it back makes a lot of sense, and I could even try rooting the cuttings?? Couldn't hurt. :) I'll let you know how it goes.
definitely try rooting the cuttings. I've had great luck rooting lavendar - it is very cooperative. Good luck with your move!
Kathleen, what is your method for rooting lavender? Do you use rooting hormone? Do you root lavender in dirt?? I feel sad cutting such a nice plant way back, but it makes sense, and if I can root the cuttings, then it's great! I have yet to do all this. I think I'll wait until the move approaches. :)
Thanks everyone for your advice!
I have used both powdered rooting hormone and gel rooting hormone - both worked equally well with lavender. I put the cuttings in potting soil and kept moist, but not wet. I have two pots with L. dentata out right now that came from rootings last fall.
Thanks! Now I'm much more excited about transplanting the lavender. :)