I can't keep lavender alive... help!

[Verycherry]

Hello, I've bought what I suspect is English lavender not once, not twice, but four times! And each time it has turned black and died like this (my 3rd plant)

I've read how they like gritty, well draining soil, little water and lots of sun, but no matter what, I can't keep them alive! This is my 4th and quite possibly my last lavender. It's turning black at the bottoms and I can't figure out why! It gets plenty of sun, and I bring it in during rain storms. Can anyone help identify the problem here? Thank you for your help!

 

[Tetters]

Welcome

Do you always grow lavender in a pot? Have you tried growing it out in the garden in a really sunny spot? What kind of compost are you using - is it fresh compost each time that hasn't had anything else growing in it? Very importantly, how often do you water it?
It would be a good idea to inspect the roots on the dead/dying plants.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

could be the type of lavender you have. my friend has a lavender field in zone 6 they do very well for her. so here is her site maybe you can contact her to find out which one she uses. https://www.windyhilllavender.com/

 

[Tetters]

All varieties of lavender require the same conditions. Beware of sales patter

 

[Esther Knapicius]

20 Different Types of Lavender Plants - Garden Lovers Club

Lavender is a lovely plant that is a fairly common choice for most gardens. Not only does this type of plant create a pleasant smell where it is planted, but

www.gardenloversclub.com

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I usually do well with college exams that are multiple choice . as there never are "Always", never are "Nevers". or never are "ALL". So in the choices, I will rule out any answers with the words in them, Always, Never, or All.

 

[Tetters]

I'm not really bothered what you rule in or out Esther

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Saving Lavenders

 

[Verycherry]

Welcome

Do you always grow lavender in a pot? Have you tried growing it out in the garden in a really sunny spot? What kind of compost are you using - is it fresh compost each time that hasn't had anything else growing in it? Very importantly, how often do you water it?
It would be a good idea to inspect the roots on the dead/dying plants.

I haven't had it long, I'd say about 2 weeks. I've tried planting it in the ground but it dies within a week. I switched over to a pot that contains potting soil and sand mixture, since I read that lavender likes well draining and gritty soil. I've watered the plant very lightly only once, and it's starting to turn black like that.

 

[Tetters]

@Verycherry, it seems to me that you have done absolutely everything right, and so I decided to do bit of research. Although we usually assume that lavender is almost always a disease free plant, I found this information, which might throw some light on your problem.

Lavender Shab Disease - Phomopsis lavandula: This is a fungus that kills the stems of the lavender. The clearest sign of it is when all the shoots wilt suddenly, even though there has been no drought. There was a lavender shab epidemic about 40 years ago that killed vast amounts of commercially grown lavender (where the wind could easily spread fungal spores along the rows of plants) and although it seems to have since disappeared, anyone who grows, sells or maintains large amounts of lavender is on the lookout for this microscopic killer. Close inspection of the affected plants (you may need a magnifying glass) will reveal very small black shapes called pycnidia emerging from the bark. If you saw them under a powerful microscope, you would see that they are cup shaped and full of spores. Again, do your best to try and burn the affected plants.

I'm wondering if you might have brought this inadvertently in with your first effort at growing lavender, and maybe it has remained to keep attacking the plants.
Just in case, I think I might be tempted to burn the lot as suggested and continue without lavender for a while.
I haven't yet found out what other plants could be affected if this IS the case, but maybe you could disinfect the area thoroughly and try growing something else

 

[Verycherry]

@Verycherry, it seems to me that you have done absolutely everything right, and so I decided to do bit of research. Although we usually assume that lavender is almost always a disease free plant, I found this information, which might throw some light on your problem.

Lavender Shab Disease - Phomopsis lavandula: This is a fungus that kills the stems of the lavender. The clearest sign of it is when all the shoots wilt suddenly, even though there has been no drought. There was a lavender shab epidemic about 40 years ago that killed vast amounts of commercially grown lavender (where the wind could easily spread fungal spores along the rows of plants) and although it seems to have since disappeared, anyone who grows, sells or maintains large amounts of lavender is on the lookout for this microscopic killer. Close inspection of the affected plants (you may need a magnifying glass) will reveal very small black shapes called pycnidia emerging from the bark. If you saw them under a powerful microscope, you would see that they are cup shaped and full of spores. Again, do your best to try and burn the affected plants.

I'm wondering if you might have brought this inadvertently in with your first effort at growing lavender, and maybe it has remained to keep attacking the plants.
Just in case, I think I might be tempted to burn the lot as suggested and continue without lavender for a while.
I haven't yet found out what other plants could be affected if this IS the case, but maybe you could disinfect the area thoroughly and try growing something else

This could be it, but I've bought the plants after one another, so I don't think it spread from plant to plant. However I did purchase all four of these plants from Home Depot, and most of them did have the black, wilted bases. I think I'd be better off trying to grow my own from seeds indoors.

 

[Tetters]

If the fungal spores have been spread about, this is something that will spread like crazy. It doesn't just go away. We are possibly talking about fungal spores that are microscopic and ubiquitous by their very nature. There is a good chance then that you will do all the work for no reward and even more disappointment.

At the moment, my best advice would be to disinfect as much soil, tools, boots etc as possible, and try a different plant, maybe Rosemary, or Thymus, or the curry plant .... just something else for now.


Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck.

Do let us know how things turn out please, it would be very interesting to know ........ learning all the time

 

[DirtMechanic]

I am interested as well, but as usual its my tummy driving my interest. One of the best lamb dishes I have ever eaten used lavender as an aromatic and I have been in pursuit of lavender for culinary reasons ever since. I was dismayed to see how many types there are to complicate this very lame search. I would not think that many choices would be common for cooking, but then maybe they all could be used for the purpose.

 

[Tetters]

The ''Augustifolia'' varieties are probably best for flavouring food. The others might be a bit too strong. I'm pretty sure that ''Stoechas'' is rather strong, and I can't remember the name of the other one because I'm going doo-lally!
''Augustifolia'' is, of course, known also as ''English Lavender'' - I grow the varieties ''Hidcote'' and ''Munstead''

 

[Verycherry]

Update: the lavender died unfortunately. Nothing I did could save it and it turned black and withered away! It's so bizarre!