A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods for Salvia farinacea
Salvia farinacea is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Salvia in the family Lamiaceae, but it is mostly grown as an annual; its verticillasters are terminal, the flower colors are powder blue or powder purple, and the flowering period runs from spring to summer. In landscaping it is used for flower beds, flower borders, mass planting, cut flowers and potted flowers, and it has very high ornamental value. Let us take a look together at how to grow Salvia farinacea!
Growth Habits of Salvia farinacea
Salvia farinacea likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight. It is highly cold-tolerant but fears heat and dryness. It is best grown in loose, fertile sandy loam with good drainage. The optimum growth temperature is 18-23°C; it flowers 70-100 days after sowing. The soil temperature for germination is 20-23°C, the seeds germinate in 5-8 days, and the suitable soil pH is 5.5-5.8. Keeping the soil slightly dry is very important, and every effort should be made to keep the leaf surface dry to prevent disease.
Sowing and Seedling Raising of Salvia farinacea
Salvia farinacea is usually propagated by sowing. It is suitable for spring and summer sowing, and it can also be sown at any time as needed. The substrate is best made of peat and perlite, or leaf mold can be used. Sieve the growing medium and place it in a seedling tray, soak it thoroughly with a 500-600 times dilution of carbendazim solution, and after it dries slightly, broadcast the seeds at about 1000 seeds per square meter. After sowing, thinning is needed 1-2 times, and the seedlings can be planted out when they reach 15 cm in height.
Planting Management of Salvia farinacea
1. Transplanting and potting: When Salvia farinacea has 2 to 3 true leaves, begin transplanting into pots. Generally, 12 cm to 13 cm nutrient pots are chosen for transplanting, and the substrate is garden soil with good looseness and aeration plus organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer. Pinching treatment: when the plant grows 4 pairs of true leaves, keep 2 pairs of true leaves and pinch off the rest to encourage side branches.
2. Temperature management: After Salvia farinacea is potted, lower the temperature to 18°C, and after one month it can be lowered to 15°C. If the temperature is below 15°C, the leaves will turn yellow or fall off, and if the temperature is above 30°C, the flowers will be small and the plant will stop growing.
3. Fertilization management: During the growing period, apply ammonium sulfate diluted 1500 times to Salvia farinacea to change the leaf color, which gives good results; do not apply urea at low temperatures. To make the root system robust and the branches and leaves lush, continuous fertilization is very important. Apply a compound fertilizer containing calcium and magnesium at 100 ppm once every half month, and add one application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before flowering.
4. Light management: Salvia farinacea likes an environment with plenty of sunlight. In the hot summer, appropriate shading is needed, and during the seedling stage, light should be increased to prevent leggy growth.
5. Pest and disease control: Common insect pests of Salvia farinacea include whiteflies and aphids, which need active control. Common diseases include downy mildew and leaf spot. When disease occurs, spray a 500 times dilution of 50% thiophanate wettable powder for control.