Growing Mexican Sage


Latest Update 6th May 2017.

Mexican Sage

  • Binomial Name:                                     Salvia Mexicana.
  • Family:                                                 Lamiaceae.
  • Garden bed type:                                   Drip line irrigated.
  • Recommended soil pH:                          5.5 - 6.5.
  • Plant Spacings (centres):                      1000mm.
  • Climate:                                               Warm Temperate.
  • Geography:                                           Southern Hemisphere.
Notes.
  • Salvias are related to Sage and share its tolerance of hot dry climates, even drought.
  • Our Mexican Salvias grow very rapidly and flower profusely in Autumn.
  • In winter all the canes need to be cut back to the ground to make way for the next year's growth.
  • They are easily propagated by cuttings, and my three plants originated from a cutting taken in my daughter's garden a few years ago. Each year I take cuttings from my own plants and replace any that have grown too big.
Growing Conditions:
  • Full sun.
  • Minimise soil disturbances to maintain a natural soil structure.
Feed the Soil.
  • In September, remove old mulch, fallen leaves and other decaying organic material. Dispose of them in the compost heap.
  • Spray the soil with aerated compost extract and apply a top dressing of home made compost at a rate of 60 litres /M2.
  • Cover with fresh straw mulch.
Growing Instructions
  • Propagate Mexican sage by taking soft wood cuttings in Spring.
  • Take a 100mm cutting from a new shoot immediately below a node.
  • Remove all but one clusters of leaves including any flowers or buds.
  • Reduce the length of the remaining leaves to a third.
  • I have a small section in each of my 2.7m Ecobeds for cuttings, and with Salvias, I simply push them into the soft soil without rooting powder and water them in
  • I forget about them until they become too big and I have to find somewhere in the garden to put them, or give them to friends.
  • The living soil combined with the Ecobed's consistent moisture boosts propagation without using artificial means.
  • Prune the canes to the ground in early winter taking care not to damage the new shoots.
  • Apply a foliar spray of aerated compost tea in early spring and early autumn.
Potential Pests
Protection
  • Regular foliar sprays of aerated compost tea should deter most airborne pests and diseases.
  • An annual application of home made compost and aerated compost extract on the soil helps control soil borne pests.

No comments:

Post a Comment