Salvia Queen

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, from South-East Europe to South-West Asia

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:40 cm, 15,75 inch

Natural flowertime:June - September

Crop Time:Plug crop:7 weeks Green pots: 10-12 weeks Flowering pots: 12-16 weeks, annual production is possible Flowering pots:8-10 months, including wintering Cut flower production: 3-4 years

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1000 K/g

Sowing Time:January-March for flowering in pots from June onwards; August-October for flowering in pots the following year.

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:10-21 days at 22-25 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-7.5. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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 18-20 °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 pack or pot (9-10 cm) and 1-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or into a container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure appropriate pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30-40 x 30-40 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e. g. bark, wood fibres, sand), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod/ Light:Long day plant. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation. Keep light level high, because high light levels improve the plant quality. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is required for pot plant and cut flower production. For cultivation at warm temperatures high light levels are required. Night interruption is possible.

Temperature: Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C and long day. Cold temperatures of 8-10 °C will increase the cultivation time by 3-4 weeks. If cultivated at low light levels, the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) is not required.?

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the shoots are stretched and the plants fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). 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. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the 25 % of the flowers per spikes are just open. Vase life: 5-8 days. 100 % crop will not be achieved before the second year. Remove faded flower stems to encourage additional flowers.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Roots are sensitive to wet substrates. After transplanting and in spring treat the pots with fungicide against Rhizoctonia. Pinching the top once after transplanting will increase the quantity of the flowers and improve the plant quality.