Lavender in a pot on a windowsill
Content:
Lavender in a pot seems to be something unreal or complex, everyone is used to seeing it in the vast fields of Provence. Today, even novice gardeners can grow a fragrant plant and decorate their home with it.
The peculiarity of lavender is in its structure, it looks like a small bush without a main stem. Planting and choice of capacity largely depend on the size of the root system.
Root system dimensions
The shrub has a well-developed central root in length, in open soil it grows up to 40 cm. Lavender at home in a pot is small, its root system can grow up to 15-20 cm in length.
The root is constantly growing, every year the pot is changed to a new, more spacious one.
Difficulty boarding and transferring
Lavender does not like frequent transplants and reacts poorly to them. At home, transplanting is a forced measure, it is carried out as the roots grow. The procedure is performed carefully during the dormant period, moving the plant with a large clod of earth.
Varieties of pots
Before you can grow lavender yourself at home, you need to choose the right pot for it.
Pots
A cache-pot is a decorative container in which a pot with a plant is installed. Benefits:
- Aesthetic appearance;
- The ability to immediately purchase a large planter, which will fit the grown lavender;
- No need to choose expensive pots that will change frequently.
Flowerpots
Vases are called decorative pots made of stone, plaster or metal, which stand in the open air. There are vessels made of clay, ceramics or concrete. Vases for planting lavender can be mobile, so that with the onset of cold weather they can be easily moved indoors.
The size
Lavender grows well in spacious pots, the diameter of which is at least 25-30 cm. The shrub grows quickly, so you can choose a container "for growth". The height of the pot should be 5-6 cm more than the length of the central root, the volume should be at least 2 liters.
Material
It is advisable to choose breathable materials such as clay, wood and ceramics. It is allowed to use metal and pots with a glossy surface with drainage openings.
Price
The price depends on the material and size, as well as on the appearance of the pot and the amount of decor. Prices for pots vary from 1 thousand rubles. up to 7-9 thousand rubles * and more. Vases made of clay or ceramics will cost from 300 rubles on average. up to 4-5 thousand rubles *
* Prices are valid for July 2019.
Designer pots
Indoor flowers play a significant role in the interior decoration of an apartment; the planting pot should be combined with the overall concept. In pursuit of unusual design solutions, functionality should not be forgotten. Before buying, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
- The material must be breathable or have holes for airing the soil;
- The shape of the vessel should be elongated, you cannot choose low and wide pots;
- A prerequisite is the presence of drainage holes;
- A lavender pot shouldn't be dark, even if it's a stylish design solution.
To give preference to an ordinary pot or a designer one is everyone's personal choice, but it must be borne in mind that in a year the lavender will have to be transplanted to a new place.
Specialized (other types)
In addition to traditional flowerpots and flowerpots, there are a number of unusual containers for flowers, these include:
- Hanging pots and pots are an alternative to regular flowerpots that allow lavender shrubs to be lifted up;
- Backlit cache-pot - a design solution for decorating gardens and verandas;
- Silicone flowerpots and pots are one of the latest design decisions. In such a flowerpot, you can bend the edges, as the flower grows, bend it back and increase its volume;
- Florariums are vessels made of transparent glass. Only light-loving plants that are resistant to dry weather can grow in them;
- One of the latest developments is smart pots with an automatic watering system. The development is relevant for plants that require regular moisture.
Which pot is best for
An unusual decoration of the room - lavender in a pot; growing a house begins with its choice. In addition to general requirements, there are more precise ones that depend on the type of plant.
The choice of a flowerpot depends on the type and variety of the plant, the characteristics of watering. When choosing a pot, special calculations are not necessary, it is enough to focus on the age of the plant and the size of its roots.
When planting young plants
Seedlings grown from seeds are small in size. Initially, it can be planted in temporary small pots. The size of the vessel should be 3-4 cm larger than the earthy coma with lavender roots.
When replanting old
When replanting old plants, it is necessary to build on the size of the root system. The new vessel should be 5-7 cm larger than the previous one, the roots should not come into contact with the walls of the flowerpot.
With different types of irrigation
The choice of a container for planting depends on the type of irrigation; there are 2 types of irrigation:
- Artificial is watering that can be adjusted. In this case, you need to choose a pot with holes to remove excess liquid that flows into the pan;
- Natural watering due to rain, if the flowerpot is on the street. When it rains, it is advisable to shelter the lavender to prevent waterlogging. There are situations when the owners are not at home, or they do not have time to bring the plant under the shed. In this case, you need to choose hanging pots or flowerpots that are installed on a dais - excess water will leave on its own.
Picture 5 Hanging flowerpot
Landing on the street
For outdoor planting, containers made of weather-resistant materials are suitable. You can use clay and ceramic pots, plaster or concrete vases. If metal vessels are used, they must be stainless or enamelled. Wooden products should be covered with waterproof coatings.
Planting and caring for lavender at home
If lavender is grown in a pot, it will be treated differently from a wild shrub. In winter, the container with the flower is brought into the room; in the warm season, lavender should stand on the balcony or near an open window.
How to care for potted lavender at home:
- The plant is watered with soft, settled water. The first 2 months after planting, watering is carried out 2-3 times a week, then moistened as the soil dries;
- Water that has flowed out through the drainage holes is immediately removed so that it does not absorb back;
- In hot weather, the plant is additionally sprayed with water;
- The flower is actively fed within 2 months after planting. Complex fertilizer on a mineral basis is applied every 14 days;
- When the plant has taken root, it is fed every 3 weeks with liquid formulations. Nitrogen fertilizers can be used before flowering. After the beginning of flowering, they switch to mixtures containing phosphorus and potassium. During the dormant period, fertilizers do not need to be applied;
- Lavender requires a lot of sunlight and should be on the south or southeast side. Lack of lighting is compensated by fluorescent lamps;
- In summer or early autumn, when flowering ends, the plant is pruned. In the spring, formative pruning can be carried out to give the correct shape;
- If lavender is on the windowsill above the radiator, it is better to remove it to another cool place during the heating season;
- In the spring, the plant is transplanted into a new larger pot. The transplant is carried out by the transshipment method - together with a lump of earth.
How to make a pot with your own hands
Thrifty owners will consider it irrational to buy a new lavender pot every year, because you can make it yourself from simple materials.
Available materials
To make a pot with your own hands, you can use simple and affordable materials:
- Gypsum;
- Concrete;
- Wooden;
- Brushwood;
- Vine;
- Clay.
List of components
Depending on the material chosen, additional components will be required:
- Fast fixing glue;
- For concrete, plaster and clay, you need water;
- Varnish to protect wood from moisture;
- Wicker pots require a plastic base, sturdy twine, and burlap.
Whether to reuse the pot
When the previous shrub is transplanted to a new place, there is no need to rush to dispose of the old pot, it can be reused.
How to clean
The pot can be used again to plant a new lavender shrub in it. Before use, it is necessary to remove the remains of potting soil and plaque on the walls. How to do it:
- The vessel is washed, large pieces of plaque are removed with a metal washcloth or a brush;
- The container is soaked for 40 minutes. in water mixed with 9% vinegar in a 3: 1 ratio. The solution can be poured into the middle of the pot if there are no holes in it;
- Once the plaque has softened, it can be easily cleaned off with a brush or washcloth.
How to fix
A common problem with clay and ceramic pots is cracking, but don't rush to throw them away. If the pot is cracked, but keeps its shape, the crack can be covered with clay or filled with sealing glue or silicone.
If the pot has split into several large pieces, it can be glued with cyanoacrylate glue and sealants. The taped seams look unattractive, the repaired item can be decorated to your taste.
Lavender in a pot at home is beautiful and unusual, it will bloom and fill the air with a delicate aroma. Anyone can grow it if they choose a suitable place and follow the planting rules.