I think giving them new compost would have been plenty for them, without adding extra feed. I'm like Buttercup, they get a slosh of feed if I happen to be passing and there's some Tomorite in my watering can, but I don't give fertilising them much thought.
If you take cuttings now you should have plants that will be large enough to be worth overwintering. They'll probably flower. You could try planting some out in the garden to see if they will make it through winter unprotected.
They're really easy to propagate, just pop some cuttings in a glass of water and they'll root in a week or two, at which point you can pot them up.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I think giving them new compost would have been plenty for them, without adding extra feed. I'm like Buttercup, they get a slosh of feed if I happen to be passing and there's some Tomorite in my watering can, but I don't give fertilising them much thought.
If you take cuttings now you should have plants that will be large enough to be worth overwintering. They'll probably flower. You could try planting some out in the garden to see if they will make it through winter unprotected.
They're really easy to propagate, just pop some cuttings in a glass of water and they'll root in a week or two, at which point you can pot them up.
Thank you @WillDB! I took some cuttings last night and have them in a glass of water and a couple in seedling compost. Fingers crossed they grow strong before winter! Amistad is such a beauty!!
I find they root quicker if you make a little tent with a plastic bag and a stick, just to keep them warmer and moisture it. Edit.... should have said, little tent on the ones you root in compost.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
As well as Lyn’s good suggestion re using a plastic bag you could always cut the end off a clear plastic bottle and then put that over your cutting to create a mini propagator. Works in the same way as a plastic bag.
Like the other posters, I too tend to leave my salvias to just get on with it. Treat ‘em mean -though not too extreme.
I agree, my Amistads get very little tlc, and have overwintered both in the border and in pots (outside) this year. I cut them down in the spring once new growth starts to appear, otherwise, I do very little with them. The first ever cuttings I took were Amistad. Took them in the Autumn, and I kept them in the conservatory in their little plastic-tented pots over the winter. I was pleasantly surprised with the success rate! Good luck, they are beautiful plants!
Thank you all for your advcie! Turns out I haven’t overfertilised them. I spoke to a Salvia specialist today and he said the quantities I’ve given my plants are fine. He suggested to check the soil for any bugs or rotting and I found the problem - vine weevil grubs
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If you take cuttings now you should have plants that will be large enough to be worth overwintering. They'll probably flower. You could try planting some out in the garden to see if they will make it through winter unprotected.
They're really easy to propagate, just pop some cuttings in a glass of water and they'll root in a week or two, at which point you can pot them up.
Edit.... should have said, little tent on the ones you root in compost.
Like the other posters, I too tend to leave my salvias to just get on with it. Treat ‘em mean -though not too extreme.