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Salvia is perhaps the most common and popular flower preferred by most growers. After all, this unpretentious plant will decorate any flower bed. Moreover, it can be used as a component when creating landscape compositions. And some types of Salvia flowers, whose height is 25-40 cm, are great for planting along garden paths.
Salvia can be grown not only in flower beds, but also in flowerpots, small boxes and flower pots. But this flower can not only decorate your garden or please the eye. Some species of this plant have medicinal properties.
Who is the mysterious Salvia
Salvia has a second name - Sage. And this medicinal plant is known to many. The flower belongs to the Lamb family (Lamiaceae). Representatives of this genus grow on almost all continents except Australia.
Translated from Latin "Salvia" means "conducive to health" or "to be healthy." Almost all parts of this flower have healing properties to one degree or another. But it's worth mentioning that there is a clear limitation at this point.
Sage is a wild herb and spice. Salvia, which will be discussed in this article, is a decorative flower.
The flowers of Salvia were brought to Europe only in the 18th century, when the era of the general horticultural and floricultural boom began. At the moment, there are three types of this plant - perennials, biennials and annuals. Flowers belonging to perennial and biennial grow mainly in countries with warm, temperate climates.
In Russia, only annual plants can most often be found, since in severe winter frosts the shrub simply freezes.
Many growers are attracted to the flowers of Salvia for a rather long flowering period. Special skills and efforts are not required during cultivation, and this beauty blooms from June to autumn frosts.
Salvia flowers are popular with many gardeners because of their versatility:
- Unpretentious in cultivation and care;
- They can be used both as beautiful flowers for a flower bed, and as a component in landscape design;
- Propagated by seeds and cuttings;
- You can harvest seeds yourself4
- Green bushes, strewn with bright inflorescences, stand until frost, which is of great importance for flower growers.
At the moment, a little more than 900 varieties of plants are known, belonging to the genus "Sage". More than 300 new varieties of Salvia flowers have been bred by breeders. The most colorful representatives of the family - Shiny or Sparkling - adorn the flower beds and flower beds of many flower growers.
Description of the plant
Annual representatives of this genus grow up to 25-70 cm in height. These parameters depend on the variety and growing conditions. But perennial or biennial varieties of Salvia flowers can reach 120-130 cm in height, forming lush bushes.
Thanks to the work of breeders, Salvia is replete with a variety of colors: red, white, lilac, purple, pink shades decorate the gardens and flower beds of avid amateur flower growers.
The stems of Salvia flowers are predominantly erect, tetrahedral. Lush bushes are decorated with whole or pinnately dissected leaves, which are arranged in pairs on small petioles. In most plants, the upper side of the leaf plate is several shades darker than the lower one.
Miniature flowers are collected in the upper part of the stem in paniculate or complex spike-shaped inflorescences. Their length ranges from 15-25 cm.
In place of a wilted bud, 4 chambers with seeds are formed immediately after flowering. The seed chambers ripen in a month. Seed germination lasts for five years.
Growing Salvia flowers from seeds is a very simple process. It is for this reason that this plant is considered universal, because it can be grown both in the south of Russia and in the northern regions with a harsh climate.
Some varieties
Despite the variety of varieties, most often in garden plots you can find Salvia flowers of mainly two types: Shiny and Bright red.
Salvia brilliant - compact bushes up to 70-80 cm in height. Ovate leaves are dark green in color. The underside of the leaf plate is light green. Large flowers of irregular shape are collected in inflorescences, the length of which is up to 25 cm. The color range is presented in various shades: deep red, purple, white, pink. Long bloom - from June to late September - early October. Popular varieties: Ogonyok, Fiery Star, Salvador, Red Arrows.
Salvia Bright red - compact dwarf shrub up to 70 cm high. Dense-leaved bushes. The inflorescences are quite large - up to 35 cm. Bright red flowers adorn the flower garden from July to October. Outstanding representatives of this species are Sherry Blossom and Lady in Red.
Below are the most unique and beautiful photos of Salvia flowers.
Salvia Reddy White Surprise '
Salvia Reddy White
Salvia Reddy Lavender
Salvia Reddy Mix
Sparkling Dwarf red and white
Reddy Salmon
Raspberry fireworks
Rio
Horminum Marble Gate
Dubravnaya
Blue Monarch
Thanks to the wide assortment, you can make your wildest dreams come true and create various compositions. After all, this plant goes well with many flowers.
Look at the photo how Salvia looks gracefully surrounded by other flowers in a flower bed
The author of the video will tell you about some varieties and types of Salvia:
How to grow good seedlings
There are two ways to propagate Salvia flowers - from seeds and vegetatively. The first method is used for growing annual and biennial flowers. Biennials begin to bloom only in the second year. But by dividing the bush and cuttings, only perennial Salvia can be propagated.
Before growing Salvia from seeds, it is important to determine the sowing time, growing methods, as well as the characteristics and preferences of a particular flower variety.
Determining the right time for sowing
The sowing time depends on the growing method you choose.
In a seedless way, you can grow flowers in regions with a warm climate. In this case, Salvia seeds are planted in autumn or early spring. But it is worth considering that not all varieties can withstand winter frosts without loss. Often, the seeds freeze out, and during recurrent, spring frosts, young, fragile shoots most often die. Therefore, preference should still be given to the seedling method of growing Salvia from seeds.
Some flower varieties, such as Shiny or Sparkling, can only be grown in seedlings. Sowing Salvia flowers for seedlings is carried out from the beginning february until the beginning of March, depending on the region and the timing of transplanting into open ground.
In warm areas, flowers can be sown in early to mid-February. But in the northern regions, in the Urals, in Siberia, where spring comes a few weeks later, the right time to plant Salvia for seedlings does not come until the end of February - early March.
It is possible to sow flowers in a seedling or non-seedling way not only with seeds, but also with granules. The treated seed, coated with a small amount of mineral fertilizer, germinates several days later than normal seed. But the convenience of the granules has already been appreciated by most flower growers.
Getting started landing
Sowing the seeds of Salvia is done superficially. This means that it is advisable to choose a shallow container for seedlings. Plastic molds with a height of 7-10 cm are perfect for this purpose. Make small holes at the bottom of each container to drain excess water.
The soil for growing seedlings should be loose, fertile. Use ready-made soil mixtures if necessary.
Salvia flower seeds purchased in the store do not need pre-treatment before sowing. But independently harvested seed material should still be pre-soaked in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 4-5 hours.
The algorithm of actions when planting Salvia flower seeds for seedlings is as follows:
- lay a drainage layer 1-1.5 cm thick on the bottom of the container;
- fill the containers with earth 3/4;
- place the seeds on the surface at a distance of 1-1.5 cm from each other;
- lightly sprinkle the planting with soil. Seeds should be barely covered with earth, no more than 2 mm;
- place the containers in the pallet. It is better to water Salvia with a spray bottle, lightly irrigating the top layer;
- place the seedlings in a warm, bright place.
Inspect plantings daily. When the soil dries up, water the seedlings in a timely manner. In no case should you pour seedlings. It is enough to keep it moist.
When growing Salvia flowers from seeds, it must be remembered that in order to obtain strong, healthy seedlings, it is important to provide sufficient daily illumination of the plantings. If there is not enough sunlight, and your seedlings have faded and began to stretch, provide them with additional lighting with a phytolamp or fluorescent lamp.
The air temperature in the room when growing Salvia seedlings should be within + 22˚С + 25˚С. Make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on your plantings.
Seedlings appear 2-3 weeks after sowing.
The author of the video will share with you the secrets of planting Salvia seeds for seedlings:
Seedling picking
It is necessary to dive the seedlings of Salvia flowers twice, in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, and later after 3-4 weeks. Seedlings can be planted both in boxes for growing seedlings, and in separate containers. It is important that the height of the container is at least 15-20 cm for the formation and growth of a full-fledged root system.
The composition of the land for picking should be as close as possible to the soil in which the Salvia seedlings were grown. Picking flowers is not much different from planting other plants. There are just a few tips to consider when diving:
- when transplanting seedlings into boxes or bulk containers, the distance between young shoots should be at least 5-7 cm;
- you need to bury the seedlings in cotyledonous leaves;
- it is advisable to make a secondary pick in separate cups or pots with a diameter of at least 10-12 cm;
- after the appearance of 4-5 true leaves, the top must be pinched so that the future Salvia bushes are thicker, as well as for abundant flowering;
- hardening seedlings should be started 2-3 weeks before the intended planting in open ground.
It is undesirable to transplant flowers to a flower bed without hardening. Plants have not yet matured and will not be able to survive even with slight drops in temperature.
After picking, it is important to water the seedlings of Salvia flowers on time. If desired, you can feed it with mineral fertilizers 1-2 times.
How to dive seedlings correctly, the author of the video will show you:
We transplant into open ground
Before transplanting Salvia seedlings into open ground, you need to prepare the site. Salvia flowers grow and bloom beautifully in sunny, open places protected from gusty winds. The only exception is Salvia Kleykaya - she feels good both in the sun and in partial shade.
Sandy, light and fertile soil is ideal for flowers. It is important that water does not accumulate or stagnate in the beds.
When determining the timing of when you can plant Salvia seedlings in open ground, you must first of all focus on the air temperature. When the thermometer is firmly established at around + 18˚С + 22˚С, it's time to start the transplant.
Depending on the region, these dates occur on average in the second half of May - early June.
When transplanting Salvia flowers into open ground, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:
- The soil in the flower garden must be prepared in advance, 5-7 days before transplanting. Add a little sand to the soil - 3 kg per m², as well as humus or peat in the amount of 5-7 kg per m².
- You need to transplant seedlings early in the morning or in the late afternoon. If the weather is hot, take care of shading the plantings in the next 2-4 days.
- Water the seedlings of Salvia flowers a day before the planned transplant. Too dry or waterlogged soil can injure the root system, which subsequently slows down rooting.
- Make planting holes at a distance of 25-30 cm, pour each one abundantly with warm, settled water.
26 - You need to plant Salvia flowers by transshipment. In this case, the seedlings are carefully removed from boxes or glasses and transferred to the planting holes along with a lump of earth. Fill in the voids in the planting hole, lightly compact the soil around the plants.
Further care for Salvia involves the implementation of standard procedures:
- Timely watering;
- Weeding;
- Top dressing;
- Loosening.
If there is a threat of spring, return frosts, be sure to cover the flower garden with lutrasil or polyethylene. Annual Salvia does not have good frost resistance and may die.
Water the flowers as the topsoil dries up and preferably in the evening. Remember that this plant does not tolerate excessively moist soil.
At least 3-4 times a month, the soil in the flower bed must be loosened to provide fresh air to the root system.
You need to feed Salvia with mineral complex fertilizers twice during the summer. The first time - a week after transplanting into open ground, the second - during the formation of inflorescences.
For those varieties of Salvia that grow more than 1 m in height, you will need to build a small support.
Propagation by cuttings
When propagating Salvia flowers using cuttings, only young shoots 5-10 cm long are used. Cut the branches with a sharp knife or scissors just below the node. Place the shoots in water with the addition of Kornevin. Root formation takes place within 2-3 weeks.
When the roots reach a length of 1-2 cm, they can be transplanted into the ground, in small pots with a diameter of at least 10 cm. The optimum air temperature for growing plants should be at the level of + 20˚С + 22˚С.
Flowers need to be watered and sprayed regularly. Late May - early June is the ideal time to plant Salvia outdoors. But first you need to harden it, and only then plant it in the garden.
Perennial flowers
Salvia perennial requires more attention. In addition to traditional maintenance work, she needs regular formative pruning of the bushes. Pruning is carried out at least 1 time per month so that the shrubs are lush, and the lone shoots do not stretch out and spoil the excellent view.
After wilting, all inflorescences are removed from the bush. In autumn, a perennial plant needs mandatory pruning of old, lignified branches. All damaged and diseased shoots are also cut off.
After pruning, the soil under the bush must be mulched, and the shrub must be prepared for winter: cover with spruce branches, dry foliage.
Perennial Salvia grows very quickly. Therefore, once every 5-7 years, you need to rejuvenate the shrub.
Diseases and pests
Almost all varieties of Salvia flowers, both ordinary and decorative, are highly resistant to many diseases. Therefore, flowers "get sick" very rarely. If the flowers are affected by fungal diseases, stop watering for a few days and treat the plants with antifungal drugs.
However, insect pests often choose lush, large bushes as a haven. Thrips, whiteflies, ticks, aphids can settle in a flower bed. Love the delicate foliage of slugs and snails.
Snails and slugs must be removed manually. You can collect pests, or you can arrange traps or baits for them.
Other insects will have to be fought exclusively with insecticides. During active control of insects, it is advisable to limit watering.
Conclusion
Growing Salvia from seeds is a fairly simple and fun process. And in a few months your flower garden will bloom with bright colors. The bushes do not lose their shape for a long time and do not disintegrate, and the unique flowers delight for a long period, which allows you to create an infinite number of compositions and combinations with other plants.
