I have a young lavendar bush in a pot but do not want it to grow out of control .. I would also like to use the cuttings as a air freshner in my home.. What is the best way to go about this , it is mid summer here now and the bush is growing well with buds just about to flower. Any pruning tips and tips regarding using/making the lavendar as a air freshner would be much appreciated.
2007-06-24 00:01:58 · 8 answers · asked by Dudley S 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Once your lavender has bloomed you may start to harvest when the first bud starts to OPEN. This way, you will capture the best color for drying. You may continue to harvest your lavender until the flowers start to pass because they become more fragrant as they mature.
Trim your plant a bit as you harvest to keep it shapely (If you were not harvesting it, then you would trim your lavender back in the fall by 1/3).
Approximate drying time is 2 weeks.
Do not place in water.
Place your fresh lavender in a container or hang upside down to dry. for better color you should make sure your bunch has dry air circulation and is not in direct light. Humid air promotes mildew.
Some of your buds will wilt. This is natural. Hanging upside down will help keep stems straight.
A gentle tickling of the buds and stems as they are drying will help keep moisture out.
Your fresh lavender will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. You may loose some of the small buds but save them for sachet or for culinary delights.
As the lavender dries, its flavor and fragrance will increase. To renew scent, just gently pinch the buds.
2007-06-24 00:07:01 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think lavendar works best in small spaces -- like a drawer that is usually closed. I'd put the dried lavendar buds (and maybe the leaves) in a cloth bag, or one of those bags you use for do-it-yourself teabags. This will keep the lavendar from making a mess in the drawer.
You can hang lavendar, but I think you need a huge amount to freshen a room that way.
You can also boil a little water, and put your prunings in the boiling water. Watch to make sure it doesn't boil dry! Lavendar is nice with cinnamon sticks this way.
2007-06-24 00:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the bush is ready to prune, but make sure you do not over prune it (down to the hard wood because then it doesn't look nice. With the pruned lavender , you can chop it up and make it into pot pouri and leave it in a dish to make your home smell nice. Bear in mind, that as this pot pouri is natural it won't last long.
2007-06-24 00:08:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not prune Lavender before flowers have established, let it flower, enjoy the flowers, when they fade use them (fully dry) as cupboard or clothes fresheners. Colour is not important unless you are a commercial enterprise, and any difference between old dried blooms or fresh blooms is impossible to detect. All parts of Lavandula can be used, leaves stems, flowers or seed heads.
2007-06-24 01:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by ED SNOW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oooo i like this. it is so cool. nutrition: Apples, Chocolate, and uncommon Sirloin. Drink : eating regimen Pepsi or Tea and Cream (or sparkling entire milk authentic from the cow, ideally a nicely tempered Jersey) Incense: Sandalwood (and that i mean solid, concepts) or the crimson field Nag Champa, made via the girls. song : Celtic twine strung harp
2016-10-18 12:39:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait until the flowers have bloomed, cut them with long stems, and hang them to dry. Make sure you do it when hot and sunny, after the dew has dried.
2007-06-24 00:10:48 · answer #6 · answered by oneblondepilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I would love to have a lavender bush.
Consider yourself very lucky to have one!
2007-06-24 00:15:16 · answer #7 · answered by lovely_lady_lavender 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-06-24 09:44:19 · answer #8 · answered by RICH T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋