Lavender plants dying (root rot?)?

Question

Hello, still a newbie in the garden and I think I'm a bit over my head with the lavender plants I wanted to grow this year.

I've planted 2 about 2'tall x1'wide about a month ago and it's all been downhill. I'm guessing the problem is root rot, as the base of the plants have turned brown and are very unhealthy looking. The purple blooms on the plant when I purchased them have been grey for quiet a while, and I've only had a few small new purple blooms appear the last few weeks

Assuming this is a symptom of root rot, is there anything I can do to save them? Would repotting in containers help revive them?

I knew this wouldn't be easy, the area was all clay so I dug up what I thought to be enough and laid down stone and then a mix of sand/potting soil, although I'm guessing it's still not draining well enough to support the lavender. The area also might not get enough sun to support the plants, it gets direct sun for 6-8 hours.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Lavender can be a bit tricky to grow and the biggest problem is over watering, it doesn't like wet feet and the best way to prevent it is to plant on mounds, this lets rain run off and keeps the roots above ground level. Another problem is the soil PH, lavender will perform better if it has an alkline soil to grow in, use ag lime to bring the PH up and sulphate of potash to get good strong flowers. Lavender does prefer full sun but will grow in semi-shade but will not be as dense, just make sure the ground doesn't stay damp from the lack of sun, cut off all the flowers to give the bushes a chance to get over the transplanting, most people kill their lavender with kindness by over watering, it sounds like your plants weren't sun hardened and have suffered from transplant shock.

Good luck and don't lose heart.

Answer 2

Hmmmm....I've had a lavender plant that died in the drought but the reason may be a thing called transplanting shock...this is when a plant has been taken out of it pot & gets placed in the ground & it's roots get disturbed & stop growing and working! After a while they should settle in & start to work! I would just leave them how they are but put them in the sun and water them once every 2 days! The amount of sun is good though!

HOPE IT HELPED!!

Answer 3

That is caused by too much water and not enough air getting to the roots . You  are watering too much or the drainage is not happening. Most plants that get root rot are doomed to die. You may have to start over and buy some new plants or seeds. The sunlight hours should be plenty for lavender.Root rot is caused by a fungus.