Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 70

LAVANDULA

Sweet Romance®
ZONE HARDINESS 4 - 9
NUTRITION
pH: 6.0 - 6.5
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 0.5 - 0.8
Moderate to low fertilization is recommended.
100ppm - 150ppm N
TEMPERATURE for forcing from liners
Forcing: 65 F - 72 F
Growing on: 55 F - 65 F
Holding: 50 F - 60 F
Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to a frost
protected open environment with good air movement.
WATERING
Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing.
Lavandula require average to slightly below average levels
of irrigation. Too much water and fertilizer will promote lush
uncontrollable growth that may not hold up well at retail.
TIMING
Supernova® 28 Liner to Trade Gallon: 6 - 8 weeks with
one plug per container. A typical planting date for spring forcing
would be Week 12 for finishing in Week 20. Planting a 28 count
liner into a True Gallon container and bulking in the summer/
fall is also a great way to finish a larger, high-quality spring crop
with excellent flowering.
104 Liner to Quart: 6 - 8 weeks with one plug per container.
A typical planting date for spring forcing would be Week 14
for finishing in Week 22. Planting a 104 count liner into a Trade
Gallon and bulking in the summer/fall is our recommended
method to finish a larger higher quality spring crop with
excellent flowering.

dormant, but it will only take 7 - 10 days for new growth to
appear once planted. Plant the dormant plug with the soil line
of the plug even to or just slightly below the soil line of the
fresh planting media.
When growing perennials, we recommend using an aged or
composted pine bark-based media, as opposed to an annual
growing mix that traditionally tend to be heavier in peat. Bark
adds weight and stability to the growing mix and tends not to
compress and shrink over time, thus adding the longevity that
can be needed on long-term crops such as perennials.
LIGHT/LIGHTING
Lavandula enjoy full sun and high light conditions. No
photoperiodic lighting should be needed. During the winter
months, maintain high light levels during vernalization.
TRIMMING/PINCHING
Plants respond well to shearing and this will promote
reblooming in the summer after the first flush of color has
faded. Pruning at planting isn't advised unless for shape.
Removing much of the plant at this time can decrease the
number of blooms.
GROWTH REGULATORS
Sweet Romance® is a fairly compact variety and growth
regulators should not be needed. If growing them in a bright
area with good spacing and proper air movement doesn't
seem to control the growth, try growing them with less feed
and slightly drier. To produce a more controlled crop, a 5ppm
application of Sumagic® (uniconazole) can be used.

VERNALIZATION
Vernalization is beneficial on Lavandula. A fully vernalized plant
will flush and flower much more uniformly than an untreated plant.
If purchased in the spring, our Supernova 28 and 50 count liners
have been vernalized for increased flowering.

PEST and DISEASE MANAGEMENT
A good routine scouting program is recommended to ensure
that insects such as Aphids or Whiteflies don't cause damage,
but these insects should not cause significant crop losses on
Lavandula. Scout and spray preventively for foliar diseases as
well. Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia seem to be the most prevalent
problems when growing Lavandula. Scouting the root zone and
following good water management practices is key in growing a
healthy crop. Preventative soil drenches may be beneficial.

PLANTING
Lavandula perform best when planted in a well-drained,
porous growing medium. When plants arrive, they may appear

SPECIAL NOTES
When growing larger containers, it is best to bulk them in the
summer/fall the year before they are to be sold.

Four Star Greenhouse I www.pwfourstar.com I 734-654-6420
70

The rates and chemicals listed are based on our southeast Michigan growing conditions, and are not recommended for nationwide application.
Please adjust the rates and spray applications to your location and facility.

http://www.pwfourstar.com

Four Star Culture Guide - 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Four Star Culture Guide - 2019