Evaluation of new promising hybrids of Greek sage (Salvia sp.) species in relation to their growth

Research took place to investigate the growth of six new interspecific hybrids obtained by interspecific crossings of four wild sage species found in Greece, i.e., Salvia officinalis, S. ringens, S. pomifera ssp. pomifera and S. tomentosa, with the aim of introducing them to the horticultural industry, particularly as ornamentals for xeriscaping.
Two hybrids of each crossing S. officinalis × S. tomentosa, S. officinalis × S. pomifera ssp. pomifera and S. officinalis × S. ringens were evaluated as regards their growth in a greenhouse culture.
Rooted cuttings, one month old, were transplanted in two different peat-based substrates, i.e., peat mixed with wood fibre (PWF, pH 5.0-5.5) and PWF: perlite (1/1 v/v), in plastic pots.
They were fertilized either weekly or monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer (10N-3P-11K). The water had a pH of 5.9 and an EC of 2.3 dS m^‑1. Plant growth was evaluated on a monthly basis for three months, recording the number of lateral shoots formed, and the length and node number of three randomly selected lateral shoots.
All hybrids presented vigour growth without any effect of substrate type and fertilization frequency.
The two S. officinalis × S. tomentosa hybrids tested had similar plant growth between them, while they developed longer with more nodes lateral shoots compared to all other hybrids.
One out of the two S. officinalis × S. ringens hybrids tested showed more compact growth due to the shorter and slightly more lateral shoots developed compared to all the other hybrids.

VIII International Conference on Landscape and Urban Horticulture

K.F. Bertsouklis, E.G. Stylias, A. Kalantzis, A.N. Martini, M. Papafotiou

fertilization, interspecific hybrid, native xerophytic ornamentals, plant breeding, peat-wood fibre substrate, xeriscaping

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1345.51