Salvia splendens Grandstand™

by | May 22, 2016 | ALL VARIETIES, OPTIMUM ANNUALS™

Crop Culture Report:  Salvia splendens Grandstand™

Grandstands™ can be easily finished in 6 ½” to 10” containers and in single genera combinations.

Garden Height: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) Garden Width: 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm)

Crop planning from cell packs:
Pot size: Plants per pot (pp) Crop Time (weeks)
6” (15 cm) Gallon 1 pp 6 to 8
8” (20 cm) 2 Gallon 3 pp 8 to 10
10” (25 cm) 4 pp 8 to 10

Temperature: 65°-75°F (18°-24°C) minimum day and 58° – 62°F nights (14° – 17°C) are optimum.

Media & pH: Soil should be kept at moderate to moist condition. 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 before irrigating. 5.8 to 6.3 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 1.2 mmhos is ideal since drying with high salt levels in soil substrate will burn the leaves resulting in black speckling along leaf margins.

Pinching Requirement: Pinch at transplant or 5 days after transplanting leaving three or four nodes below pinch. If you wish a taller plant at finish, pinch higher up the stem removing only the meristem (soft pinch).

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

Growth Regulators: Spray applications of B-9® or Sumagic® will be effective without concern of stunted growth after garden planting. Drench applications using Bonzi® at low rates are also effective. Use at label rates.

Pests/Disease: Whitefly and Aphids can be the most intrusive pests. Thrip and Spider Mite will be found under increased pressures of these insects.
Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Phytophthora are of primary concern. Preventative drenches /sprays are recommended for crop.