Lavender is a well–known and fragrant shrub. The smell of the plant cannot be confused with any other — spicy, rich, elegant, pleasant. Very often, the fragrance of the flower is used for aromatherapy, which lifts the mood and soothes. Very tasty tea is made from the flowers of the plant, which has a calming and relaxing effect. 

 The plant can be easily grown at home. To do this, it is only necessary to choose the right place for culture, as well as carefully observe individual requirements.

 Before planting, lavender seeds undergo a Stratification stage - this is a mandatory and very important stage. The temperature of lavender seed content during stratification is +2-4 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the procedure is carried out in the refrigerator. The duration of the stratification of lavender seeds is ideally 1.5 months, but it can be 30 days (but not less!).

 3 main and most convenient ways of cold stratification:

on cotton pads;

 on cotton fabric;

 on wet river sand.

 Put one of the above materials in some shallow container or plate, moisten with clean room temperature water from a spray bottle. Now transfer the seeds. Cover with a lid, glass and put in the refrigerator.

 Important! Regardless of the stratification method, it is necessary to regularly check the material in the refrigerator, and in case of drying, it is necessary to moisten it moderately, avoiding drying out. But do not add too much moisture, otherwise the seed material may become moldy or rot.

 To grow lavender seedlings, it is necessary to choose a nutritious, loose soil. You can plant it both in the purchased universal soil for seedlings or houseplants, and in the prepared at home.

 To prepare a soil mixture with your own hands, you should mix the following components:

garden land (3 parts);

 humus (2 parts);

 sand (1 part).

 Be sure to disinfect the ground for seedlings, but this should be done in advance (ideally for 2-4 weeks). An effective method of disinfection: steaming, for this you need to put the soil on a cloth in a colander and put it over steam for 30 minutes, stir regularly. After such a procedure, it is recommended to shed the soil mixture with biofungicides to restore the soil microflora. After disinfection, sift through a sieve with large holes.

 It is best to plant lavender seeds for seedlings in wide and shallow containers. The optimal depth of the landing container is 7 centimeters. The container must have drainage holes to remove excess moisture. Now you need to fill the bottom of the container with drainage, which will contribute to an optimal level of humidity. You can use, for example, fine expanded clay, perlite.

 Fill the soil in such a way that there is a small distance (2-3 centimeters) between the ground and the edges of the container. Water the ground with a spray gun. Sow the prepared seeds (the optimal distance between the seeds is about 2 centimeters). Sprinkle the seeds with earth or sand (layer 3 cm). Once again, slightly moisten the primer from the spray gun and cover the container with a lid or film. It is necessary to put the bowl in a warm place. During the day, the temperature in this place should be maintained at +19-22 ° C, and at night +15-18 ° C.

  If you regularly and properly care for seedlings, then the first shoots will germinate in about 14 days, but on average all seeds germinate in 30 days.

Simple but important rules for caring for lavender seedlings:

For successful cultivation, you need to provide good lighting to plants. It is recommended to additionally illuminate with special phytolamps or LED lamps.

 The optimal growing temperature is 19-22 degrees Celsius during the day and 15-18 degrees Celsius at night.

 It is very important to water the seedlings in time. Before the emergence of seedlings, this should be done from a spray bottle, and after that you can use a syringe, a small watering can (while water should not get on the plants). It is necessary that the soil is always moderately moist, but do not forget that excess moisture is dangerous for fungal diseases.

 Before the emergence of seedlings, it is necessary to ventilate the mini-greenhouse every day, removing glass or film for 20 minutes. And you also need to wipe the condensate on the surface of the covering material. After the emergence of shoots, the glass or film is removed.

 When two full-fledged leaves are formed on the plant, it is necessary to make a pick in individual containers. And after 1.5 months after that, you can transplant seedlings to a permanent place on the site of your house.

 Lavender is a unique plant that leaves few people indifferent. Its appearance and spicy aroma is admired by many gardeners. That is why different methods of propagation of lavender are used, including in a pot at home. Observing the rules of sowing, fans of lavender receive a copy in their collection of flowers.