Hi folks,
Does anyone here grow S. gravida? I am wondering if I am going to be able to manage this plant by growing it in a pot and dragging it in the greenhouse in winter or if it is going to become a space eating monster that does not appreciate being cut back.
Any information will be appreciated.
Alana

Alana, I haven't grown it because it is said to be a winter-blooming only plant that is very frost tender and really huge (like 12 feet.) If you cut it back, you'd likely be cutting off all the flower buds. Unless you have a large greenhouse, my guess is that it may prove too troublesome. The photos are gorgeous though! I know Kermit grows it, but coastal California is practically another universe when it comes to gardening.

http://www.network54.com/Forum...

Sorry I can't be more helpful!

That's what I was afraid someone would say, but I was hoping for another answer, . One source said 6-9 feet, but I've seen 12 noted also. I think my greenhouse is 12 feet tall at the apex but just 7 feet at the sides. I don't have room for a behemoth in any case. 7 tiny seedlings have just developed their true leaves. The hardest part will be not potting them all on.
Thank you, Danita.

If it were me, I'd probably pot them all up and see which seedlings have the most compact growth with shorter internodes and then keep those and trade off or give away the rest to other crazy gardeners .

I found a photo of one in a greenhouse:
http://jardinclairobscur.blogs...

Maybe Kermit, or someone, will have some tips for pruning it so it will still bloom but not take over the entire greenhouse. I wonder if you could sort of "limb it up" so it takes up height rather than width.

@FBTS has this plant. http://www.fbts.com/salvia-gra... Hopefully, he can answer your questions.

I don't grow it either, since it's Winter blooming. On his site he states that it can be grown into a container.

You know I will do that, Danita, lol.

Thanks Marilyn. I see on his site that it grows to 5 feet in a container. That's doable.
The only other winter bloomer I have grown in the greenhouse is S. africana-lutea which died right after flowering the first time despite (or because of) my hovering over it like a new mom. That was enough to satisfy my craving, but maybe if I neglect this one I will have it longer.

Breaking news: I hate to say it, but it is likely the plant we have al grown as S. gravida is properly S. vazquezii subsp. vazquezii. I hate when this happens. I plan to call it gravida for at least a while.

Outside for us it grows 5 or 6 feet tall. In a container in the greenhouse it can be 5 feet if tipped and pruned, or it could be 12 feet plus if supported and not pinched. No problem pruning off buds if you are consistent in pinching throughout the summer and fall. No matter what size, it is well worth it. Nothing quite like is (except the "real" gravida).

This flower cluster is about 16 inches long.

S. africana-lutea is a bear in the inter in a greenhouse. We keep ours protected outside. Humidity, low light and temps are not what South African plants like.

Thanks Kermit for chiming in!

Beautiful flowers! Great pic!

Thank you! I am delighted to know that I have such a beautiful plant to look forward to and how to keep it in bounds, whichever plant I have. The adventure will continue.
In a "normal" winter, I might chance it outside, (referring here to africana-lutea) but in a winter like this when we have been close to 0 a few times I would not expect success.
I use a fan in the greenhouse all of the time to help with humidity now because I have had problems in the past. That is likely what got africana-lutea, which died after, or really while, still blooming. Maybe I will try that one again.

Yipee skipee!

edited for clarity

I bought Salvia gravida in June from FBTS sort of as a mistake. I was so enthralled with the picture of the blooms and the fact that it said zone 8, that I completely overlooked that it was a winter bloomer. I put it in a 15 inch pot just to see if I could bring it in and overwinter it in the garden shed. Imagine my surprise several days ago when I noticed what appeared to be a bud forming. There are now 7 buds on my original plant and also a cutting that I had rooted in July or August has 1 bud and it is in a 4 1/2 inch pot. Maybe stunting them encouraged bud set or the fact we had several cool nights(for South Carolina) in September.

First...Welcome!

Just happened to catch this post as I was just checking up on s. gravida. Lucky you...hopefully it will do really well for you and you can keep us all apprised of its progress with pictures if you have time, we will love to see them....

Smilacina,

Welcome to ATP and welcome to the Agastache and Salvias forum!

That's wonderful that you have buds now!

Yes, keep us up to date.

The two largest panicles(?) are starting to color up....and no frost in the 10 day forecast so maybe we will get to see a full bloom. I have no idea how long they take to fully develop.

Wow! Beautiful! Thank You...now we know it can be done....lol...

Beautiful!

I am so excited, the first two blooms popped out this morning. I put a Salvia leucantha spike by it so you can see how large the blooms are.

Maybe we should start a tour group to your place to visit it....lol..

P.S.........please add your photos to the database.....