Growing lavender from seed - or am I ??

[fitzsie]

Due to cost of lavender plants I have decided to grow some from seed which will hopefully line our drive. Have managed to grow 27 plants from seed called Multifida Blue Wonder but they don't look like lavender at the moment. Don't even smell like lavender, Am I expecting too much too soon. I've added a couple of photos of them. The stems have a very soft covering and at the moment they bend all over the place.

[fitzsie]

[Alex133]

Never seen lavender like that - looks more like 'curry' herb. What does it smell of?

[fitzsie]

It doesn't have that distinctive smell of lavender although it does have a scent if you rub the leaves. Can't really describe the smell, only to say it is scented (and not of curry) !! Sounds daft I know !!
The seed packet desribes it as lavender but the main characteristics are currently not showing. Guess time will tell. Packet says to plant in autum for flowering next year. Tim will tell............. it's a mystery

[Hector]

The foliage looks the same as stock photos for that variety. I ooked at google images.

[fitzsie]

Yep, just checked it out myself. One of the pages says it has an Oregano type smell which it does!!I knew I recognised the smell but couldn't put my finger on it.

[goodlife]

I'm sorry to dampen your plans..but..multifida is not hardy enough to grow outside all year round in UK..unless you live in down south/coast and have sheltered spot for them.
Multifida lavenders are native to Portugal and North Africa..
If you can keep them dryish over winter and out of worst of the cold weather...they should over winter and you can plant them out in spring. They are quite quick growers and next summer you can enjoy the flowers.. ;)

[goodlife]

Oh and to add..next summer you can take cuttings..they root easily and over winter them for following summer again..

[zigzig]

They are NOT lavender. Go back to your supplier and see how you get on

You can take cuttings from shoots

Theft from other peoples plants is the cheapest way for next year. I assure you they wont even notice

[MissBaritone]

They are NOT lavender. Go back to your supplier and see how you get on

You can take cuttings from shoots

Theft from other peoples plants is the cheapest way for next year. I assure you they wont even notice

If I find anyone stealing cuttings from my plants there will be hell to pay. On the other hand if you knock on my door and ask if it's ok to take a cutting I'll willingly giver permission

[lavenderlux]

They are Lavender - but not the 'English' Lavender;  this variety is usually grown as an annual and for 'foliage'    They are not hardy but can be over wintered with heat but they can be difficult to keep as they are prone to fungal diseases - I would suggest you pinch out the growing points of your plants to get a bushey plant

If you know someone with some English lavender flowers, ask them if you can have a few heads (when the flowers have faded) and you will very likely find seeds in these heads - put the heads in a paper bag to dry out and the seeds will drop out into the bag.   Sow immediately but they probably won't germinate until next Spring.  If the seed heads are from a 'named variety' they won't come true, thus seeds from a plant with very dark blue flowers may produce plants which have a pale blue flower - but some may be dark blue and colours in between.  Often Lavender will self seed, especially if its grown in gravel

[fitzsie]

Bascially I think that I will have to take this as another lesson learnt. I thought I had done wonders managing to grow lavender from seed and getting 27 plants !   :-[

[goodlife]

But you have!..not just the type of lavender you were imagining for...and you have done wonders..grown 27 plants from seeds!!!  ;) Chin up..its all learning curve..and like others have said..its ideal time for taking cuttings and next year your have yourself  own grown plants.. ;D