Spain is a cereal-growing country for the most part, but it also has an important and increasing production of aromatic plants.
Lavender itself has a history (dating back to the 1820s) of different species, all with different compositions. The three most common are Grosso, Abrialis, and Super. In the past, the most common was the Abrialis, but it has evolved over time, and today the Grosso is the dominant type, with more than 1,000 tons produced in France each year alone.
The lavandin is a clone between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula spica, with this they achieved one new plant, with a longer life and higher efficiency.
There are many advantages that we find with the establishment of aromatic plants
From the company Esencias de Els Ports S.L we have opted to introduce this type of cultivation in the area of the Els Ports region.
For this reason, we offer our knowledge and experience to all those who wish to enter in the exciting world of aromatic plants.
With this initiative we intend to contribute to the generation of economic activity in the rural world, essential for the settlement of the population.
LAVANDIN AS A CROP
It offers numerous benefits such as: restoration of vegetation and densification of canopies, higher yields than other crops or resistance to drought and frost. It also has a rustic character and beautifies the landscape.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CROP
For its cultivation it is necessary to eliminate competing herbaceous vegetation and to carry out a good work in the plots. Planting is carried out by cuttings or by alveolar planting in winter. With frames of 0.5 x 1.8 metres, competition between species is low and high densities can be achieved.
USES OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL
The essential oil that we obtain from aromatic plants has multiple uses such as: Cleaning products, Alternative medicines, Aromatherapy, Perfumery, Flavouring or Cosmetics.
HARVESTING AND DISTILLATION
We have harvesting from the first year, although it is better to do it from the second year onwards. Harvesting is fully mechanised and takes place between July and August. The annual yield per hectare is between 40 and 70kg in dry land. Distillation is carried out in distilleries using the steam distillation method.