Sage, or otherwise Salvia, is very beautiful and useful flower for the dacha.
Depending on the variety, of which there are several hundred, these herbaceous plants can live for as little as a year, or possibly several years. The Lamiaceae family is widespread throughout the globe and is often used as an ornamental plant. However, Salvia's main advantage is its medicinal properties.
Description of salvia and its royal appearance
Sage blooms often have a luxurious, regal appearance, earning many of its cultivars the appropriate names: shiny, royal, and sparkling. Thanks to the many variegated colors of its flowers and the unique structure of its branches and stems, salvia achieves a certain perfection.
Sage blooms profusely from early summer until the first frosts, which arrive around mid-autumn. The seeds ripen in late August, but can be harvested several times.
Before we begin discussing all the important aspects of plant care, it's helpful to understand the most common salvia varieties (photos of flowers and seedlings). When to plant (a video will help you do this accurately) and the intricacies associated with this process also depend on the flower variety. The following garden varieties are considered the most popular:
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• Salvia splendens;
• Salvia farinacea;
• Salvia horminum (white marble).
It's safe to say that sage, regardless of its variety, is quite demanding and requires special, careful care. Unfortunately, most gardeners attempting to grow the plant for the first time fail to achieve the desired results immediately: the sprouts die, the seeds fail to germinate for unknown reasons, or the plant simply stops growing or fails to flower.
However, difficulties with growing and further propagating sage can be caused by a variety of factors:
• seed quality;
• time chosen for landing;
• unsuitable climate conditions;
• unique care.
Sowing seeds and preparing for planting
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If you decide to try growing salvia, the first step is purchasing the necessary seeds and preparing the soil. When shopping for salvia seeds of any variety, it's important to keep the shelf life of the seeds in mind. Furthermore, before making a final choice, it's a good idea to read reviews and recommendations online. And if you have any doubts about the quality of the product, be sure to request the relevant certification documents from the seller.
Don't ignore the advice on preparing the soil for planting any type of sage, including Salvia farinacea (flower photo). Seedlings (when the time for planting arrives) grow in approximately 80 days from sowing. The recommended soil for sage should contain the required amount of micronutrients and be sufficiently acidic. Any container for planting future seedlings is suitable. This could be a pot, a simple box, or a beautifully decorated planter, but be sure to place drainage at the bottom of the chosen container before adding soil. The soil in the container should not reach the top edge, leaving a margin of about two centimeters. Then, leave the newly planted salvia for 24 hours, covering the pot with plastic.
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Ideal time for sowing
Planted seeds sprout quickly, but subsequent growth is much slower. When it comes to growing "White Marble" salvia (photos of flowers and seedlings), learning the subtleties and nuances can be crucial. It's worth noting that the best time to plant sage seedlings is late winter. In just a couple of months, the salvia will become stronger and ready for subsequent transplanting. Therefore, it's easy to conclude that many gardeners make a mistake in choosing the right planting time. Sage thrives in the warmer months.
Peculiarities of planting salvia
Growing salvia outdoors requires a more detailed approach. The soil should contain sand and clay, and the optimal distance between plants is considered to be 20-30 cm. Being careful with the root system, place the sage in a wide, deep hole prepared in advance. Then cover the plant with soil, without compacting it, and water it lightly.
A perennial shrub, the herbaceous sage can easily withstand both abundant and insufficient sunlight, and even strong winds. The only thing that can adversely affect its health is excessive cold. The plant can rightfully be called capricious, requiring serious and attentive care. In return, following all the growing recommendations will surely delight the eyes of those around you with a blooming salvia (photos of flowers, seedlings). When it's time to plant in the ground, it's important to follow all the rules and not miss any essential points.
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Also, don't neglect the possible causes of sage disease and death:
• onset of frost;
• history of infectious diseases;
• excessive moisture entering the soil;
• high level of soil oxidation;
• mechanical damage to seedlings during planting;
• possible impacts of weather conditions, damage caused by animals.
In conclusion, it's important to note that gardening is more than just a hobby. It's an opportunity for plants to thrive and delight those around them with their splendor.