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