Salvia elegans - Pineapple sage bloom in the late autumn from the terminal inflorescences, opening sequentially up the flower spikes...
Salvia elegans, also called as Pineapple sage, Tangerine sage, Salvia camertonii, Salvia incarnata, Salvia longiflora, Salvia microcalyx, Salvia microculis, Salvia punicea, Salvia rutilans, is a species of the genus Salvia. This species was described by Martin Henrichsen Vahl in 1804.
IDENTIFY SALVIA ELEGANS - PINEAPPLE SAGE
Salvia elegans is native to Mexico. It is found growing in large naturalized clumps in Madrean and Mesoamerican pine-oak forests at elevations of 1800 - 2700 meters above sea level. Although the plants will die down to the ground with the first frost, they will grow back the next spring in mild climates.
It is a rangy, semi-woody to herbaceous perennial shrub which reaching 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall that produces an open-branched clump of erect, square stems covered with yellow-green leaves. Tall stems are susceptible to wind damage, often breaking off at the base. The opposite, ovate leaves are 5-10 cm long with serrated edges. Both leaf surfaces area covered with short, fine hairs, giving them a softly fuzzy appearance.
Pineapple sage bloom in the late autumn from the terminal inflorescences, opening sequentially up the flower spike with whorls of two-lipped, bright scarlet red, to 2.5 cm long flowers. The edible flowers have a sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of mint and spice and smell like pineapple when crushed. Flowers are followed by small, dark-colored, football-shaped seeds that fall out of the calyx within a few days of fully ripening.
SALVIA ELEGANS - PINEAPPLE SAGE CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Salvia elegans require full sun, which is generally defined as a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. These are short day flowering plants, so will not bloom if grown where artificial lights (such as street lights) extend the day length in fall.
Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.
Temperature:
Pineapple sage can grow in USDA zone 8-11. It grows best at the temperature of 16 - 19 °C. Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to an open environment with good air movement. Plan ahead on this step because the plant grow very fast coming out of dormancy and can get leggy very quickly if grown too warm.
Substrate and growing media:
Salvia elegans can be grow in containers but grow best in garden beds. They don't need rich soil, but they must have good drainage. In pots, a mixture of ordinary garden soil mixed with perlite allows water to drain rapidly. The soil pH should be 5.8 - 6.2.
When planting in garden, prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible. The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the container the plant is in. Remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Carefully fill in around the plant and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.
Watering:
Pineapple sage are very drought tolerant and will do better in drier soil than overly moist soil. Lightly water when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing. The plants requires average amounts of irrigation, and overly wet conditions will promote tall, leggy growth.
Fertilizer:
Salvia elegans are light feeders and only occasionally need fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring, after new growth appears, can be sufficient. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release, as higher rates may encourage root rots.
Pruning:
Trimming and pinching can be done early when a fall planting is done. Pinching 2 to 4 weeks after transplant in the fall can assist in building a plant that has a thicker form and also give you more flowers spikes per pot. Trimming is not recommended when forcing plants in the spring or on plants that have been freshly planted in the spring from cooled liners.
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage flowering and prevent seed development. Pinching the growing tips of plants can encourage bushiness.
Mulching:
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
Mulches help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
Pests and diseases:
The most common insect problem to watch for is the two-spotted Spider Mite. A routine scouting program is recommended to ensure that Whiteflies, Aphids and other greenhouse pests don’t harm the plant as well. Foliar diseases should also be scouted to prevent Botrytis and Crown Rots.
Propagation:
Pineapple sage is usually propagated by seeds. Sow the seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 15-21 days at 21-24 °C. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide the temperature of 16-19 °C and plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions. If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots. Before planting in the garden, accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
The plants can also propagated by cuttings. Take cuttings in August or September, from vegetative (non-flowering) branches that are about 3 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and trim each cutting just below a node. You can either start propagating by placing them in water or by putting them in soil. If you opt for cutting propagation in water, just put the cuttings in a vase and add a few inches of water. When rooting cuttings in soil, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then plant it in moist potting medium. One good medium to try is a 70/30 mix of perlite/vermiculite and potting soil. After three weeks, cuttings should be ready to pot on.
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