‘Blue Marvel’ Salvia nemorosa

Propagation

Stick cuttings the day of arrival if possible. Otherwise, store at 45°F (7°C) for not more than 18 hours before sticking. Soil temperature should be maintained at 70 to 72°F (21 to 24°C) until roots are visible. A rooting hormone basal dip containing 1,000 ppm IBA should be applied to promote early, uniform rooting.

Average days with mist: 12 to 15 days. Discontinue mist as quickly as possible and only mist to avoid leaf wilt. Begin fertilization with 50 to 75 ppm N at Day 7 to avoid excessive foliar nutrition loss and speed up rooting. During root development, maintain moderate moisture levels in the soil. Avoid saturation of media, which will delay rooting. Rooted cuttings should be ready for transplanting 5 to 6 weeks after sticking.
 

Growing On to Finish

Use media with good aeration and drainage. Salvia Blue Marvel prefers a medium that is high in organic matter. A pH of 5.8 to 6.2 is optimum.
 

Production

Temperature

• Nights: 45 to 55°F (7 to 13°C)
• Days: 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C)
• Temperatures below those recommended will slow plant growth significantly. An average daily temperature of 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C) is optimal, but plants will tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Vernalization is not required for flowering.

Light

• Blue Marvel will perform best under moderate to high light levels of 3,000 to 5,000 f.c. Salvia nemorosa are day-neutral plants and do not require long days to flower. However, they will develop more quickly when day length exceeds 12 hours.

Watering & Fertilizer

• The media should be allowed to dry moderately between watering and never saturated. However, plants should not be allowed to wilt at any time. Leach regularly to avoid the buildup of high soluble salt levels. Use a balanced fertilizer at a rate of 125 to 150 ppm. Periodic use of a calcium-based fertilizer should help optimize the nutrient levels.

Crop Schedule

• Spring planting is recommended for this crop. If summer-planted, be sure to have plants well established before the start of short days.

Karl is Global Product Manager for Darwin Perennials, www.darwinperennials.com.