Lavender

[Tracydr]

Just purchased some different varieties of lavender seeds to start, in hopes of planting in the fall. I plan on planting a mass planting of lavender in a few areas, using a few varieties to increase blooming time, color, etc.
Any tricks to germination?

[puttgirl]

I've had the best luck with a little heat (actually, in the sun). I never tried bottom heat. Sow more than you'll need, lavender seed germination is erratic.

[peebee]

For me, in my zone, lavender grows so well, it is just so much easier to grow from cuttings. I've tried seed before, but it did not work very well. If there is a variety I simply must have, I buy the smallest size possible (under $3 at nurseries) and get cuttings as the plant grows. Or get cuttings from friends or neighbors. Cheaper and faster than seeds. Try cuttings--they are amazingly easy to root.

[akgardengirl]

I just started some Lavender Lady, which is grown as an annual here, and it popped right up. It would be a perennial where you are but probably not the very best variety that you could grow there in Phoenix.
Sue B.

[blokesmom]

I followed this method which I copied from another website:
1. take a coffee filter and moisten it...wring out excess
2. sow the seed on one quarter of the filter and fold into a pie wedge...so that when you are finished only one layer is directly above the seed.
3. Mist the wedge once more; lay on a plate and insert into a ziplock bag.
5. Check in about 7 days-10 days and you should see the radical (first root-a little white shoot) emerging.

[lakelady]

I have never had luck with lavender seeds until I wintersowed them this year. I now have 7 or 8 little seedlings up, one of them is on it's 2nd set of true leaves so next year, I'm going to try several other varieties that way. Amaranthus is another one that really seems to like wintersowing! Zillions of little seedlings in the milk jugs