Lavender - too late?

Kazonline

Hi all, finally got 'round to picking my lavender (well half of it)
It's allready past the actual 'flower' stage ie all the flowers have/are falling off the 'buds' a the end of the stems. Is it too late to use the 'buds' (what are those bits called??) to stuff lavender pillows etc? There is still quite a bit of scent comming from them - but obviously don't want to spend hours sewing if it's going to fade Vquickly.
Also, is there a way to dry the lavender without all of it falling off (for an arrangement)
I'm planning on taking some cuttings too - but I thought I'd give the plants a couple of days to recover before I do that. Is that a good idea? (my theory being that currently all the energy is going to the seed making, but with no flowers it'll now go to the main plant ... or am I bonkers?)
Actually - no comments on my sanity please.... I already self cert myself a loonie
Kaz x

Rikki

It is best before flowering, but I don't see any reason for it not to work now.
See what the smells like after you have dried the lavender.

chatta

I use any 'rubbish' lavender in my hoover to make it smell nice. I crumble it up on carpet and then hoover it up. Lasts for weeks. You could use hairspray to make it stay on a flower arrangement.

Kazonline

Thanks both for your replies. It's all sat on my L/R floor at the moment and I think it's spread through the house I'll soon find out when my boys come home - I think I may have got used to the smell.
Kaz x

chatta

Just remembered as well the smell is supposed to be repellant to flies. I think your right you can get used to smell of something. Reminds me of a friend who said she bought Comfort softener because it reminded her of my kids when they were babies, I was so used to smell of it I didn't even realise anyone noticed that.

rls1973

hello, i find there is just as much scent in the little leaves, they are full of lavender oil, you will see if you strip them off and crush them a bit, good luck.

chatta

rls1973 wrote:

hello, i find there is just as much scent in the little leaves, they are full of lavender oil, you will see if you strip them off and crush them a bit, good luck.

Dont forget the stalks either for hoover

Biddyrolo

Is there a certain amount you should use or length of time to leave before hoovering it up, I've just tried with a small handful and it doesn't seem to smell of anything.

Kazonline

I've no idea on that sorry biddyrolo, however mine has been on the floor for a couple of days waiting for me to sort it and the smell has wandered upstairs too. I can't smell it all the time - just noticed it when I got up yesterday morning, I'm sure I'm just used to it! When the boys came home from school the other day they smelt it as they came in - and I couldn't.
Perhaps it is scenting the room but you've got used to it?
Kaz

twink

i havnt cut my lavender yet, the wild bees are still enjoying the flowers, lavender is very relaxing, i always put some on a tissue to sniff before i get my bp checked and it works too