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Dr. Curtis Beus,developed November 2000
Washigton State University Extension
Clallum County, P.O. Box 863, Port Angeles, WA 98362
360/ 417-2279, E-mail: beusc@wsu.edu,
11-11-2000
Propagation
- Lavander should not be propagated from seed, lavandin seed is sterile.
- Can easily be propagated from softwood cuttings.
- Hardwood cuttings can also be propagated, but more difficult.
- Tissue culture from callus derived from leaf buds is possible.
Soils
- Lavender requires well-drained soils.
- Sandy, sandy loam, or gravelly soils are ideal.
- Lavender does well in low-fertility soils.
- Soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5.
Spacing between rows
- Between rows: 4 ft., with a range of 3-6 ft
- Between plants: 1-3 ft., 30" most common
- 3,000 - 5,000 plants per acre - 4,000 about average.
Price of plants
- Plugs: 128 plug tray $50-60, less for large quantities ($30-40).
- 2" pots: $3-$4 retail, $1.50-2.00 large quantities.
- 4" larger pots:- $4-$6, large quantities for around $3.00
Establishment
- Plants should be "hardened" off before being put into the field.
- In mild climates, Fall planting is best
- In areas with harsh winters, Spring planting is the only option
- Flower buds should be trimmed off during the first year, and sometimes the second to speed up establishment.
Irrigation
- Drip tape recommended.
- Needed primarily in the first year, sometimes second.
- Some irrigation may increase production in mature plantings. Overhead
irrigation may increase disease problems.
- Overhead irrigation may cause older plants to break open in the middle.
Fertilization
- Composted chicken manure & Bone meal used at planting.
- Up through year three, around 100 lb. N per acre can encourage vegetative growth.
- Mature plants need no more than 50 lb. N per acre.
- Excessive applications of N can decrease oil quality, and make plants unhealthy (also leads to increased weed competition). Phosphorus and Potassium requirements are also very low.
- Periodic liming may be necessary to keep pH at 6.5 or higher.
Weed control
- Probably biggest production issue - critical for good yield, high quality, and aesthetics.
- Landscape fabric/weed barrier - expensive but dramatically decreases weeds.
- Mulches - with young plants can help - organic mulches can trap moisture against plants.
- Sand, gravel, oyster shells, etc. can be used. Light colored soils or mulches increase production & improve plant health/vigor.
- Drip Irrigation to discourage weeds between rows.
- Herbicides - pre-emergents effective in NZ and Europe - none yet listed in U.S.
- Weed Badger - mechanical weeder can be used in immature stands. Some are experimenting with turf between rows.
- Cultivator between rows & hand weeding in rows is most common. Mature stands shade out most weeds.
Pests & diseases
- Root rot - Phytophthora and Armillaria - proper soil drainage is key to preventing.
- Alfalfa Mosaic Virus - passed by aphids; obtain clean stock.
- Spittle Bug - common, unsightly, but causes only minor damage.
Cultivars
- MUCH confusion, cross-naming, inconsistency in cultivars worldwide Lavandula
angustifolia ("True," English, French)
- Examples: Twickel Purple, Jean Davis, Royal Velvet, Royal Purple Lavandula
latifolia (Spike Lavender)
- Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin, a hybrid). Examples: Grosso, Super,
Hidcote Giant, Abrialis
- Lavandula stoechas (Spanish)
Flower yields Grosso
- Approximately 150 stems per bundle
- 4-7 bundles per plant - 5-6 average
- 12-15 bundles to yield a pound of dried buds
- Buds per plant - 1/4 to 1/2 lb. per plant dried buds
- Bundles per acre 4,000 x 5 = 20,000
- Buds per acre: 1,000 - 1,500 pounds dried buds per acre
Oil production
- Angustifolia's yield between 3 and 15 quarts of oil per acre (about 5 to 25 lbs.)
- Lavandin's yield between 20 and 95 quarts of oil per acre (about 35 to 180 lbs.).
- 1998 prices for lavandin oil, around $10.50/lb., true lavender oil about $22.50/lb.
- Thus, on the wholesale market, lavandin varieties will generate around $400 to $2,000 per acre for oil production. True lavender's (L. angustifolia) will generate around $120 to $350 per acre.
- It is highly unlikely that most U.S. lavender producers can compete
in the wholesale essential oil business with producers in some other parts
of the world.
- Oil production for small producers should be aimed at high quality,
value-added markets.
Harvesting pruning
- For oil production, mechanical harvesting is a must.
- Hand harvesting is necessary for bundles, buds, and fresh flowers.
- U-pick is an option that some farms use on a limited basis.
- Proper pruning and shaping of plants extends life, improves production.
Marketing
- Most U.S. lavender producers must develop their own products & markets, or partner with someone who will./li>
- There is no established U.S - market, or market infrastructure for lavender.
- Value-added products are often key to marketing.
Products
- Culinary uses and markets for lavender are rapidly growing - Angustifolia's can fetch around $7.00 per ounce for premium quality culinary quality buds.
- Lavender can be used to produce products such as lavender jelly, cookies, ice cream, culinary herb blends, lavender tea, honey, etc. Bath products - soaps, shampoos, bath oils, lotions, bath salts, spritzes, etc.
- Perfumes, candles, incense, etc.
- Sachets, potpourri, wands, pillows, etc.
- Bundles, dried arrangements, wall hangings, wreaths, etc.
- And, much, much more./li>
Prices
- Retail about $6-$ 10 per dried bundle, typically around $7.00 (125-150 stems/bundle).
- Wholesale price about $2-3 per bundle. $30/lb. high end retail price for clean, colorful buds.
- As low as $6.00 per pound for low quality buds typically around $ 10.00 per pound is as low the price/pound goes for buds in this area.
Local sources of planting stock
Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery Sequim Valley,
2324 Jodi Ct., Newberg, OR 97132 phone: 503/ 538-8169
avh@worldnet.att.net
Sequim Valley Ranch
189 Coulter Road, Sequim, WA 98382 phone: 360/ 681-3000
knapman@olypen.com
Cedarbrook Herb Farm
1345 S. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA 98382 360/ 683-7733
cedarbrook@olypen.com
Visit these web sites to learn more about Sequim Lavender:
www.lavenderfarms.com
www.purplehazelavender.com
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