I recently purchased by email some seeds: Lavender, Pampas grass, and perennial and other seeds. When do I plant them since winter is just round the corner?
Specific plants have different growing instructions, but for the most part, you can sow them under lights indoors in March or outdoors after the last frost has passed. In the meantime, keep the seeds in your vegetable drawer. They will store there until spring.
Do I cut the whole plant down to the base, remove the brown sections, or cut out one half of the plant that is brown?
I would prune off the brown sections, and plan to do further major pruning over the course of 2 more seasons, after that an all over trimming once a year should keep the plant healthy. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lavender/pruning-lavender.htm
I got a bush of lavender and I want to cut stems from that bush to generate a new bush. Can you tell me how?
Propagating lavender takes patience!
Take your cuttings from the stems that are still green, not the woody stems.
Clean about 2 inches of stem of leaves and dip each stem into rooting hormone.
I like to make a tray of sand and perlite and place each cutting into the damp tray.
Keep damp and out of direct sunlight. I place them in a shady part of my garden.
After 6 weeks, tug the cuttings slightly--if they resist, gently remove them and pot into small starter pots in a good potting mix.
I have had some cuttings take up to 8 weeks to form tiny roots. Growing Lavender this way is tricky for me in my Zone 4, but I have had success and I love the process of making more plants this way.
Hope you enjoy it also!
Here is an article about growing lavender.
What is the easiest variety of lavender to grow?
Lavender loves hot and dry weather.
Choose a variety that best matches your growing conditions.
I successfully grow Munstead in my Zone 4 garden.
Here are some links for you with more information and available varieties.
https://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Plants/lavcont.htm
http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Plant_of_the_Month/July_2007-Lavender/
I recently purchased it from a garden centre and repotted straight away, watering both the compost and the the lavender before repotting. The next day the heads began to wilt and on closer inspection some of the stems are turning dark green and some of the leaves are curling and turning brown.
A few things could be coming into play here. It could be transplant shock, overwatering or perhaps a little bit of both. Lavenders are very sensitive to being overwatered and actually prefer to dry out between waterings. The best way to determine when to water lavender is to touch the soil - if the soil is dry then it is time to water, if it is moist/damp then you should postpone watering.
Here is an article that will help you that discusses how to treat plants suffering from transplant shock after being repotted:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/repotting-stress-treatment.htm
For information on treating overwatered plants, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/overwatering-container-plants.htm
For information on the care of lavender, go here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lavender/lavender-in-the-garden-information-and-growing-lavender-tips.htm
I have this dangerous Pennetta leafhopper in my lavender fields. Can you recommend an effective pesticide against Pennetta leafhopper? Thanks a lot in advance
This article lists several insecticide options:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/hoppers-and-leafhoppers/leafhoppers-and-planthoppers.aspx
For additional information on leafhoppers, please visit the following links:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/leafhopper-control.htm
I need lavender seeds or stems to plant and I'm located in Nigeria. Any advice?
I would do a general search for lavender seed.
There should be many sources that would be able to ship to you.
Here is a link about how to grow lavender.