Do you want a lavender on the balcony that perfumes your June mornings? The trick to make it flourish abundantly exists, and it is simpler than it seems. Just follow a few tricks, but with constancy and attention.
Summer perfume, delicate colors, silver leaves that sway in the wind … lavender has a charm that never goes out of fashion. Having a luxuriant and flourishing plant on the balcony is a small luxury that anyone can afford, but that few really manage to get. We tend to think that it is enough to water every now and then and leave it in the sun, but it is precisely here that you are wrong. Often it starts enthusiastic, perhaps by buying a seedling already in bloom at the nursery, just to see it afflicted after a few weeks.
But it is not the fault of fate. There is a combination of factors to know, small secrets that make the difference. And one in particular, a trick as simple as it is neglected, can transform lavender into an undisputed protagonist of the balcony throughout the month of June. Curious to know what is it? First, take a look at the position of your vase: because everything starts from there.
Where to put the lavender on the balcony to make it bloom well
To get a explosive floweringthe location is everything. Lavender loves the sun, and is not satisfied with a ray every now and then. We need full exposure, at least 6 hours a day, preferably from morning to early afternoon. A balcony facing south or south-west is perfect. Attention also to the wind: too strong could break the stems or dry out the ground excessively. If you live in a particularly ventilated area, it is better to fix the vase in a sheltered corner, perhaps near a wall. And speaking of vase: choose a container at least 30 cm deep, with a good drainage.
The ideal soil? Light, well drained, with sand or perlite to avoid stagnation. Lavender does not like “wet feet”, so avoids sauces full of water. Once arranged, the plant observes: pale or folded leaves indicate stress from the wrong position. Moving it can make miracles.
The secret of the right pruning: when and how to intervene
Here comes into play The most effective trick for a lavender always florious: targeted pruning. It is often believed that lavender should be allowed to grow free, but it is a mistake. A light pruning, made at the right time, stimulates the production of new flowers.
Here’s how to proceed:
- At the end of May or June, remove the dried or dried flowers with clean scissors.
- It cuts about a third of the stems, but never up to old wood: lavender does not fall from there.
- Try to give a rounded shape to the plant, preventing it from opening to the center.
- After cutting, add a handful of natural fertilizer for flower plants.
This simple gesture is often neglected, but really makes the difference. Not only does it favor new inflorescences, but keeps the compact, healthy and beautiful plant to see. And then, cutting the newly touched flowers, the entire flowering phase is prolonged
Other tips for a happy and fragrant lavender on the balcony
It is not just about pruning and watering. There are other precautions that help to maintain lavender to the maximum of its beauty. Some may seem like details, but they have a surprising impact.
The watering They must always be checked, only when the soil is completely dry. Too much water, you know, is the number one enemy of lavender. It is equally important to avoid i stagnationlifting the pot slightly from the ground with feet or small supports. This simple trick promotes drainage and keeps the roots healthy.
As for fertilizerbetter to opt for a light formula, specific for Mediterranean plants, to be administered every three or four weeks. It helps to support flowering without stressing the plant.
More attention goes to cleaning of the leaves: just pass a finger or a soft cloth to remove dust and small insects, so as to let the whole plant breathe better. If the balcony has particularly humid areas, an extra look at snails It is a must: they can also do damage in the city.
Finally, a small “olfactory” trick: mowing slightly the leaves at sunset releases even more perfume, creating a magical atmosphere. And you don’t need much, just a touch is enough.
Lavender is a generous plant, but it requires real attention. Those who learn to listen to it, to adapt to their needs are always repaid. June is the month in which he shows the best of himself: with these gestures, even the smallest balcony can turn into a corner of Provence to be lived.
And every evening, between the purple of flowers and the intense aroma, it will be impossible not to smile.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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