Salpiglossis
Common name: Painted Tongue or Velvet Trumpet
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Overview:
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Salpiglossis sinuata is a colourful short lived perennial originates from the Andes in South America.
It is generally treated as a half hardy annual in the UK, and is best grown in cool a area to prolongs the blooming period.
They grow from around 300-600mm (12"-24")high subject to variety, making them a good cut flower subject.
Note: the flowers stems can be quite sticky to handle!
Regular deadheading will ensure a flowering from mid summer to mid autumn (Jul-Oct)
In exposed areas plants may require some support.
The Petunia shaped flowers come in a wide range of petal colours and coloured throats.
For example: Pink, red, blue,violet,orange yellow,with some being self coloured, and others with heavily veined throats in contrasting colours.
In fact in some occasions different coloured flowers can be found on the same plant.
A Selection of colours to be had:
The low growing varieties can be used to add a bit of colour in containers and baskets.
Do not allow plants to dry out during prolonged dry periods, but equally do not overwater.
Cultivation
Week 10:
Sow seeds on the surface of a proprietory seed compost.
Cover the seed container to exclude light and germinate at a temperature of18°- 21°C (65-70°F)
Germination should take about a 5-7 days.
Week 12:
Prick out if large enough to handle.
Prick out more than you need as the young seedlings are prone to damping off!
Week 21:
Plant out in full sun or partial shade 300-500mm (12"-18") apart in enriched soil,with a pH of 6.5 / 7.0
circa Week 23-24:
Pinch out tops of plants to encourage them to bush up.
Circa week 30 and monthly thereafter, apply a high potash feed to encourage flowering.
Circa week 35-40:
Collect seeds.
Ensure that the pods are quite dry when picked.