Growing Conditions For Salvia

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

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Growing conditions for salvia

Salvia hibrida Mystic Spire

Due to the large variety of species, it is impossible to give universal recommendations for the cultivation of salvia.

Salvia species, native to the deserts and semi-deserts of California and Mexico, love the sun, are not afraid of drought and heat; Salvias from the forests of South America are often very large plants that require more humid conditions and prefer partial shade.

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However, there is a general rule: the growing conditions must be as close as possible to the conditions of natural growth of this type of salvia.

All types of salvia need a little water, but during the hot summer period they need regular and abundant watering. At the same time, salvias suffer from excessive moisture not only in winter, but also in summer due to frequent rains or with excessively abundant watering. To solve this problem, when planting a plant, you must choose a pot with a wider opening, ?? than usual, put small pebbles or even pieces of fallen off plaster on the bottom, since the presence of lime increases the pH of the soil, which is necessary for the growth of salvia. The soil for filling the tank should contain coarse sand or even fine coarse material to increase drainage.

To prevent decay of the beautiful and delicate leaves of Salvia, especially those with gray or velvety fluffy leaves, such as Salvia silver, it is recommended to plant the plants on the ridges or in raised places so that the leaves do not touch the soil surface. But at the same time, it is necessary to ensure abundant watering, especially in the hot period, best of all, of course, with the help of a drip system, so that the decorative leaves do not fall off by the evening and do not lose their beauty.

Salvia also requires regular fertilizing. In summer, every 10-15 days. Better if it is organic fertilizers.

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Choosing a landing site

Salvia azurea grandiflora

All salvias grow well in sunny places, with the exception of some species from Asia and other countries, for example, the Italian Salvia Glutinosa grows well in shaded areas.

Shrub species of salvia with large leaves grow well and bloom in partial shade, therefore, when choosing a place for planting, you can stop where the plant will be in the shade for several hours a day. Salvia, growing in partial shade, tolerates drought better. This position does not affect flowering, but it increases the risk of disease damage to the plant.

The soil

For all types of salvia, the soil must contain lime! It is necessary to plant salvia in the soil only very well-drained, light and relatively rich in humus in order to avoid plant diseases.

Plant storage

Salvia guaranitica Argentine skies

In dry conditions, with temperatures not dropping to 0 ° C, almost all types of salvia do not lose their leaves. Thus, even in the most northern regions, salvia can be grown in the summer months in the open field, extracting it from the soil with the onset of cold weather. Before digging, the plants need to be pruned, leaving stems 10-12 cm high, and the lower leaves must be removed, leaving the upper ones intact.

Plants collected for the winter period should be stored in boxes with light earth, placing them in bright rooms where the temperature does not drop below zero.

At the end of winter, they are transplanted into large pots.

Salvias are generally not susceptible to disease, unless they are fungal infections caused by excessive moisture in the soil or atmosphere. Young shoots can be attacked by snails and slugs, as well as aphids.

Pruning salvia

Salvia acaliifolia

All types of shrub or semi-shrub salvia require strong formative pruning in the spring. Such pruning prevents the plants from stretching and stripping.

To continue flowering, it is very important to cut the wilted "spikelets" and shorten the green stems, this will stimulate the growth of new shoots and ensure the bushiness of the plant. At the end of the season, mulching with good quality garden compost is required.

In salvias with a root rosette, it is enough to simply cut the stems after flowering, and the rosette must be covered with compost, this will contribute to the formation of new root shoots

Breeding salvia seeds and cuttings

Salvia indigo spires

Salvia brilliant and salvia officinalis are cultivated both by cuttings and seeds. They are sown in February.

Plants dive as soon as they release two true leaves and are transplanted into pots when they reach a height of 10 cm. After the threat of spring frost has passed, around May, they are planted in open ground.

Salvias are easily propagated by semi-lignified cuttings throughout the season, but the simplest method is to use air cuttings.

To do this, you just need to fix one of the well-developed stems to the ground, and after a couple of months new roots will form on it. Then the rooted branch can be cut off from the mother plant and transplanted to a new location.