Salvia Blue Angel

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:65 cm, 25,59 inch

Flower Size:6 cm, 2,36 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-16 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:140 K/g

Sowing Time:January-March for flowering in pots from April onwards; June for flowering in pots from end August onwards

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug, sowing directly into final pot is recommended

Germination:4-7 days at 20-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 17-20 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-15 cm) and 3 plants into a container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e. g. bark, wood fibres, perlite), 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.5.

Temperature:Grow at 14-16 °C. When the buds are visible, the temperature should be decreased to 12-14 °C. Keep cold temperatures for a compact plant habit. S. patens does not tolerate frost. Wintering in conservatory or cold greenhouse at 5 °C is possible.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate 1-2 times. Wetness and cold temperatures in substrate are a cause for iron deficiency. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly.