Blue Salvia, Mealycup Sage, Mealy Blue Sage, Victoria Blue Sage
Mealy Blue Sage requires a location with full sun or part-shade. While this plant will grow well in practically any soil, extreme moisture or heavy shade will cause it to stretch and become spindly. Mealy Blue Sage can be propagated by several different methods. Seed can be collected from dried flower spikes and planted directly into moist soil to propagate new plants. Seed may also be started indoors around January and pressed into moist medium, but seedlings should not be placed outdoors until temperatures average around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Another way to propagate Mealy Blue Sage is from softwood cuttings taken in spring. The cut end is dipped into rooting hormone powder, and planted outdoors when roots are well-developed. Clumps of an existing plant can also be divided in spring and replanted into other locations to create more new plants.
Mealy Blue Sage is relatively carefree if it receives favorable sunlight, regular water, and sufficient air circulation; especially during periods of high humidity. This plant can survive drought conditions but becomes more frail in water-logged soil. Ideally, the soil should be allowed to completely dry before watering.
If Mealy Blue Sage is planted in nutrient-rich soil mixed with compost, no fertilizer is necessary. However, if the soil is poor in nutrients, the plant may benefit from a balanced fertilizer labeled for flowering plants. This should be applied once a year, in summer.
Mealy Blue Sage may become overly tall and shrubby if not pruned back by half after abundant flowering. This plant may also be pruned to the ground in winter to encourage lush, bushy new growth the following spring.
Mealy Blue Sage is not susceptible to any serious pests or disease. However, the soil should never be allowed to remain overly wet, and adequate air circulation around the plant can help prevent possible infestations of aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or whiteflies. These pests can occur during periods of high humidity and may be treated with an insecticidal soap according to the directions on the product label. Fungal disease is likely to occur if the soil around the plant is allowed to remain wet for an extended period of time.
