Bringing Back Lavender?

[GardenGeisha]

I have a big lavender plant in my greenhouse chicken run that sent up green growth this year but then went dead looking. I keep it covered with pine branches, because I use the old greenhouse as a chicken run, and they eat everything.

A rosebush close to it in the raised bed there has also been covered but still has green leaves.

I cut down into some of the branches of the lavender plant, and they are green. Is there a way I could get it to leaf out? I suspect it might have gotten overly dry or not enough sun, so I removed most of the pine branches.

My 2 lavenders out front look great this year-- fuller and lusher than they've ever been. I sure wish I could revitalize this other one?

 

[GardenGeisha]

Do you think I could dig it out, divide, and move it to a pot this time of year? It is to be 100 F here today.

 

[so lucky]

Well, if you try that, at least you could put the pot in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Just make sure you keep it watered. I think I'm going to have to move all my potted flowers to the shade. They just seem to be baking in those pots in the 95 degree heat.

 

[GardenGeisha]

Thanks, so lucky.

I just now dug it up. It was a lot easier to dig than I had thought.

I split it into two parts. Each part has a bit of green growth.

It doesn't look terribly promising, but one never knows. Worth a shot.

I did water it in heavily.

Do you think I should get some humic acid to water it with? That is also known as soil activator and is sad to help get bareroot roses jump-started, by encouraging root growth.

 

[so lucky]

I'm not familiar with that. There is also a product called Upstart, I think, that helps grow roots on newly planted stuff. It is B vitamins, don't remember which one. About the humic acid, personally, I wouldn't go buy some just for one plant or two, but if you have other uses for it.....

 

[GardenGeisha]

Looks like Upstart has been discontinued:

http://www.ehow.com/how_8455920_ortho-upstart-use-directions.html

 

[so lucky]

Ah, my life story...:/

 

[thistlebloom]

Why don't you remove all the pine branches, lavenders need full sun, and well draining soil. If you need to keep the chickens off it put some chicken wire around it. I wouldn't divide it, particularly if your going to hit 100.

 

[peteyfoozer]

I have a couple of plants the chickens tend to pick on a bit so I covered them with old bird cages. It keeps the plants safe and is sort of a 'yard art' kinda deal. Bet you could find some at yard sales or something

 

[GardenGeisha]

I tried chicken only wire around it, but they still pecked through it and ate the plants. Also they jump onto the chicken wire and smash it down, crushing the plants.