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Lavender plant problem

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  • ozma83ozma83 Posts: 38
    The top is dry - I’ve only been watering when it felt dry. I’ve lifted it up and the bottom seems slightly wet. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Can I just clarify something. In pots, they do need regular watering.
    They need free draining soil, but that doesn't mean they can live successfully in dried out soil. Completely different when they're in the ground.

    I think you should also move them into slightly bigger pots and get them growing on a bit. If you're going to sit it inside a fancy pot, you need that pot to have proper drainage holes too. If that was mine, I'd put it into a pot of water to thoroughly hydrate it, and then make sure it gets a proper watering every few days - not a sprinkle every day.
    I see you have it on a balcony - it may also be getting dried out from wind.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ozma83ozma83 Posts: 38
    Ok, thanks so much. How long would you leave it in a pot of water? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Till fully hydrated - if you just hold it in the water until no bubbles appear, then it's well dampened. 
    While bubbles are still appearing, it means there are still air pockets in the soil. Once the soil/compost is moist, you can go from there.

    When a pot gets dried out, the water you put in doesn't penetrate properly, and just runs through the bottom, so the plant doesn't benefit at all. :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ozma83ozma83 Posts: 38
    Ok, thank you so much! So after that, how do I know when I should water it? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    When it feels dry below about an inch from the top. If you lift the pot, it will feel lighter too. The smaller the pot, the  quicker it dries out, and when it's hot and dry, a pot will dry out more quickly.
    Most plants of that size, in hot, dry weather, need watered almost every day, but you have to use your own judgement. A plastic pot will also dry out more quickly than a glazed pot.

    You'll gradually learn when a plant needs water  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ozma83ozma83 Posts: 38
    Thank you so much! I appreciate the help. Fingers crossed this lavender will feel better soon x
  • hi guys 

    so I was wondering if I could have some advice on another lavender plant.. it seems no matter what I do, my lavenders start wilting!! 



    I don’t know what’s going on. I bought this one maybe 10 days ago. It’s already started to wilt but has some dry leaves at the same time! 

    I can’t keep up. I have watered it, but not too much. It’s not too cold outside. I’ve replanted it into a bigger taller pot, have changed the compost. 

    What am I doing wrong? 
  • I would stand  your lavenders in water for at least an hour to give them a thorough soaking, let them drain and then only water as Fairygirl mentioned. 
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Thank you! Thing is, I have done that as it started wilting the day after I bought it, and it looked much better - but now it’s started to wilt again. I’ll try soaking it again, but surely this shouldn’t happen every few days? 
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