How To Propagate Salvia Hot Lips, Taking Cuttings Of Salvia, Plant Propagation

How To Propagate Salvia Hot Lips, Taking Cuttings Of Salvia Hot Lips, Plant Propagation

It’s safe to say that in the last 5 years Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ has become one of the most demanded perennials in U.K. garden centres, and it’s for good reason too.
Firstly, Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ is classed as a perennial plant. Salvia used to be classed as tender perennials but actually some of them are pretty tough. They are Sage after all.
Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ can get to about 2.5-3feet in height and spread (75-100cm) although most of the time they don’t make full size due to our shorter growing season.
Plant in a full sun or bright but partially shaded position in free draining soil.
First flush of flowers always come out pure red with subsequent flowers having the white markings.

Generally Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ isn’t available until about April/May in garden centres but that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead of that and grow more of your own plants from cuttings.
You can start taking cuttings from about March once the plants are putting on decent growth. In some respects, taking some early cuttings can help the main ‘mother’ plant to develop better by encouraging it to bush out.

Tools required:
Clean, sharp secateurs,
Suitably sized pot or tray,
Multi-purpose compost

Fill a pot with the compost and water.
Let the excess water drain from the compost before using.

Ideally you are looking to cut off sections that are about 2-3" in length.
Make a fresh cut below the lower set of leaves or leaf joint/buds.
Remove the lower few sets of leaves, only leaving the top set and growing bud.
Make small holes in the compost and insert the Salvia cuttings, gently firming around the cuttings as you go.
Place the finished pot of cuttings into a propagator or in a warm, bright, position. Do not place in full sun where the cuttings will rapidly dry out.
Leave until the stems of the cuttings start to produce fresh growth or until you can see root formation to the base of the pot. At this stage you can pot up the cuttings using a normal compost.

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