Salvia Fashion™

by | Jul 17, 2019 | OPTIMUM ANNUALS™

Crop Culture Report: SALVIA buchananii FASHION®

Garden Height: 20 to 24 inches
Garden Width: 12 to 16 inches (31 to 41 cm)
Production Seasons: Spring/Summer/Fall
Fashion® can be easily finished in 6” to 12” containers and combinations. This five-color series has excellent garden performance during the hottest conditions. Day length neutrality allows finish dates year-round.

Crop planning from Liner:
Pot size: Plants per pot (pp) Crop Time (weeks)
6” (15 cm) Gallon 1 pp 9 to 11
8” (20 cm) 2 pp 9 to 11
10” (25 cm) 3 pp 9 to 11
12” (30 cm) 3 pp 10 to 12

Temperature: 65°-75°F (18°-24°C) minimum, allowing temperatures to climb to 90°F (32°C) is not a problem.

Media & pH: Allow soil to dry completely between irrigation. Allow plants to wilt slightly for disease control. This will also increase the durability of the plant for shipping and at retail level. Irrigate in the mornings and vent to help control humidity for disease control also. When temperatures are cool and light levels are diminished, the water requirement is reduced so let the soil dry completely before irrigation. 6.0 to 6.5 is a proper pH.

Fertilizer Requirements: 100 to 200 ppm N using a balanced feed to maintain color of foliage. Low Ammonium feeds will help eliminates stretch and poor growth under lower light conditions. Include Micro element source as part of fertilizer solution. Limiting the amount of feed applied will eliminate salt build-up and possible damage to roots. EC at 0.8 to 1.5 mmhos

Pinching Requirement: Pinch at transplant or 7 days after transplanting to help create quality plant. To maximize basal branching, pinch stems when they are still soft and actively growing and have not become woody.

Light: Medium to medium-high. Slight shading under extreme heat conditions in the greenhouses will promote quality plants for finish.

Growth Regulators: Drenches of Paclobutrazol are recommended when the plants reach 70% of saleable size. Rates of 2-5ppm are beneficial. Specific rates are determined by soil volume and temperature.

Pests/Disease: Thrip and Aphids
Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Phytophthora are of primary concern. Preventative drenches /sprays are recommended for crop.