Salvia Lady in Red

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm, 11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:May - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-9 weeks; Flowering pots:11-12 weeks

Sell Period:April -June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:667 K/g

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

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

Germination:5-12 days at 21-24 °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. 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:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (7-12 cm) and 3 plants into a container (3-5 l).

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 12-18 °C. Keep cold temperatures for a compact plant habit. S. coccinea does not tolerate frost. Wintering in conservatory or cold greenhouse at 5 °C is possible, but very difficult and not really recommended.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-250 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 for 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.

Cultural Hints:Moist, light and airy cultivation. Avoid drought stress, because this can promote yellow leaves. Pinch the plant tops for a better branching and good plant quality, but this will increase the cultivation time by 3 weeks. Remove the faded flowers. Transport the plants stress free, because stress can also cause the flowers to be dropped off.