Salvia sparkling (or shiny), refers to the decorative perennial sage. This plant was brought to Europe from Brazil and cultivated as a decorative annual, starting in 1822. Even serf gardeners in the estates of the nobles grew these brilliant, captivatingly effective scarlet flowers with red double bracts and opposite leaves. Today, in addition to traditional scarlet varieties, for example, such as the sparkling Salvia Scarlet or Carabiner, new hybrid varieties with pink, purple, orange, salmon and even white inflorescences have been bred. Of course, they will add charm to the flower garden, and will bring a fresh note to your favorite garden. In our article we will tell you what to do if you plan to grow this plant for the first time.
- At first, do not try to grow a flower from seeds or cuttings, but get healthy seedlings without signs of withering or disease. Salvia sparkling looks best in groups of 12 or more plants, when buying seedlings, proceed from this. Flower bush should be stocky and well leafy. It is preferable that it does not have flower ovaries or buds, as they will take the necessary energy necessary for the development of the root system.
- For planting, choose a place, most of the day under direct sunlight, a slight shadow is acceptable for several hours. The soil should be well drained and at the same time not dry out, for which purpose in the fall, bring well-rotted compost to the place of future planting. Decorative salvia has no special soil requirements, but she does not like excesses: soils with too acidic or alkaline reactions are not suitable for her. Also, do not overfeed the soil, otherwise salvia will build up green mass to the detriment of flowering. This plant loves sufficient moisture, so it is not suitable for cultivation in arid climatic conditions.
- Seedlings are planted after the threat of frost has passed. The distance between seedlings is about 20-30 cm.
- The soil around salvia should always be slightly damp, mulching is the best way to prevent the drying of the upper soil layer.
- Sparkling salvia begins to bloom in June, with timely pruning of wilted inflorescences, the plant will bloom until November.
- The flower needs to be fed every 4-6 weeks, or, when planting, apply a prolonged fertilizer for blooming.
The ideal temperature for salvia is from 8 to 10 degrees at night and from 22 to 26 degrees during the day. At lower or higher values, the plant is inhibited. Pests that can attack a weakened flower: thrips, spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and in case of improper cultivation, diseases are possible: downy mildew, rust and others.
If you want to grow salvia on your own, then at first it’s better to buy not new hybrid varieties that are capricious, but old and proven bright red varieties. For example, the sparkling “Carabiner” sparkling salvia mentioned above or the “Scarlet” variety beloved by many is indispensable for beginners.
Seeds can be sown in the ground at a permanent place in the winter, propagated in spring by cuttings or through grown seedlings, self-sowing of the plant is also possible.
For seedlings at the end of February, sow the seeds to the school when they hatch and reach a few millimeters, peek into 10 cm diameter pots. Grow plants with the maximum amount of sunshine when the threat of frost passes (usually early to mid-June), plant in open ground. Alternatively, growing in containers is possible. In this case, the plant can be stored until next spring in a cool, but not cold room, and propagated by cuttings for the next year.