Salvia Sunday

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, Mediterranean

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:50 cm? 19,69 inch

Natural flowertime:June - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-9 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 weeks; Cut flower production: 12 weeks

Sell Period:April-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:310 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:12-20 days at 18-20 °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 16-18 °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 (7-12 cm) or packs and 3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25-30 x 25-30 cm space.

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. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °C. Keep cold temperatures for a compact plant habit. S. virides does not tolerate frost.

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. 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 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.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the 25 % of the flowers per spikes are just open. Vase life: 2-5 days.

Cultural Hints:Moist, light and airy cultivation. Avoid drought stress, because this can promote yellow leaves. Pinch the plant tops after transplantation for a better branching and good plant quality, but this will increase the cultivation time by 3 weeks.