Requirement |
Propagation |
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Lavender oil is obtained from two species of Lavendula viz L.angustifolia syn L. officinalis which is commonly called as true lavender and l.latifolia commonly called spike lavender. Oil of lavender has stimuland and carminative properties and is used in hysteria, nervous headache and other nervous infections. It is also commonly employed for scenting evaporation lotions, as well as ointments, and liniments. The more important consumption of oil of lavender, however, is in perfumery. France is the largest supplier of lavender oil in the world. It can be grown in Himalayan region and Nilgiris in India. |
Requirement |
Lavender generally prefers dry and cool climate. In the hill stations, higher the altitude, better is the quality of the oil. Certain species prefers arid conditions. . |
Lavender prefers loose, calcareous soil. It also thrives in most luxuriantly rock crevices in its native home. They can be grown in peaty soils of hill station but requires good drainage |
CIMAP/B-15 (Shere-Kashmir) |
Propagation |
Lavender seed must be kept at room temperature in humid sand or sawdust, for some time to bring about germination. As soon as the young shoots emerge, they are transplanted into nurseries and watered frequently. After several months, the plants can be transplanted into the open field. |
The cuttings should be raised in nurseries for rooting before transplanting to the fields. It requires frequent irrigation. |
Naturally growing young plants are used for propagation. Such young plants are raised in the nursery for about six months frequently watered and transplanted to the open fields. |
Lavender was planted earlier at a distance of 1.70-2m between the rows and 0.50-0.60m between the plants. General cultivation during the first two years includes one annual ploughing followed by one or two superficial tilling with a cultivator. No recommended manurial schedule for lavender but it responds to nitrogen and phosphorous application. |
The young plants must be cut, care being taken not to injure them. From the third year onwards, it produces a sizeable crop, which increases during the fourth and fifth year. In a well developed plantation a skilled cutter can daily collect several hundred kilogram of plant material. The oil yield by stem distillation is about 0.81%. The oil contains 50-53% of ester. The oil chiefly contains linalool and linalyl acetate. Spike lavender oil and lavindin oil also contains linalool, cineole, camphor and linalyl acetate. Third year plantation yields on an average 2000 kg of herbage per hectare. |