salvia splendans "dancing flames"

Having purchased a salvia splendans "dancing flames" last year "06 with beautiful variegated leaves, I was hoping that I would get a repeat performance this year.
Instead I ended up with dozens of seedlings that turned into wonderful 4ft. high salvias without the variegated leaves.
Can anyone tell me where my variegated leaves went.
Thanks,
CID-SID

Cid,
Post your question on the Agastache and Salvia forum. Rich could probably answer your question. My guess is that the hybrid doesn't come true from seeds and may have been propagated by division to keep the variegation. I wouldn't know for sure, though.
Bev

I've noticed this phenomena in a number of different species, Cid, Salvia being one of them. Lantana, Kennilworth Ivy, Illicium, and Gardenia variegatum being others. I think it may be due to the fact that so many growers rely on tissue culture as primary means for propagation. Don't blame them one bit, but I'm starting to think that tissue culture offspring don't have enough "set" to their genes to throw off more than 1 or 2 generations of offspring with the desired characteristics. Regression to the mean sets in, and the desireable clone comes out looking like the original (unvariegated) parent after one or two generations. Just a wild hairy, totally unsubstantiated, observation at this point...but interesting enough to keep watching!

Same thing happened to my neighbor's salvia... I think StonoRiver's theory is probably correct and now I'm starting to re-think some of the older plants in my yard and how they looked when planted them a few years ago. I'd forgotten many of them were variegated in the beginning. Interesting. Time to check the digital photo album...

It's also possible that growing conditions are the root cause of the change, and not genetics. Rarely can we match the "Growing Conditions" provided by the grower(i.e., "optimal"), and the plant may "revert to type" simply in reaction to the change in growing conditions (usually less than "optimal") when we move it to our location in our garden. Interesting conundrum. I truly don't know the answer, but the phenomena is too widespread to be denied...and too interesting to be ignored!

I am going to do cuttings of my Dancing Flames.The plant has been blooming since the beginning of Spring non stop.That and the variegated leaves make it a must have for me.

cid-sid

If it propagates well I'll send you a plant in the Spring.

WOW,
That would be so nice of you "downscale_babe".
Sorry I didn't answer sooner, I was out tearing up thirty Japanese holly that died on me, due to the drought.
The "seedlings" are still doing a great job of flowering, they are now 5 ft. tall and throwing tons of seeds.
Pictures attached of the '06 original and '07 seedlings in the same bed.

This message was edited Nov 1, 2007 12:46 PM

07

Holy Moley, Cid! I live in Garner, be by in about 15 minutes;-))) !
Bev

I had better start getting to work on my cuttings.The night temps for the whole week will be in the 40's.

tggfisk
You are more than welcome to as many seeds as you desire.

Thanks, CID. We'll work out details:-)
Bev

ok

CID_SID - do ya have any spare seeds?? I'm near by as well. I have a ton of Red Hot Poker - Lola seeds and other plants. Just let me know. :0)

rebecca30

We should all do lunch!
Bev

That would be cool, if CID SID would like to... :0)

Sundays always work for me. :) Would like to meet LavinaMae, Tropicanna as a thought.

-r-

LavinaMae is a trip! What do you think, ladies?? Tropicanna lives a couple of hours away. Road trip? I think she could use some company...plus I owe her some stuff:-))
Bev

Im game if we can go on a sunday and everyone one would like to..

Hi folks,
Sorry so long answering, wifes in hosp. knee replacement, then to rehab.
Some times life is a bit of a drag!

CID_SID

CID,
So sorry to hear that she's having to go through that. I hope that her results will make the surgery and rehab worth it though. I have a co-worker that had double knee replacement. The outcome has certainly been good for her. She was able to get rid of the cane, she stands taller and moves with much more ease, too. She's happy with it.
Much luck to you both.
Bev
Rebecca, Sundays are usually fine for me.

So does Lavinae want to go? And do we go visit Tropicanna? a heck of a lunch date :0) heheheh

rebecca30

Never know where Lavina is...she could be at the beach with Mr. LavinaMae, lol! We'll just have to wait and see on that account:-)
As for Tropicanna, I'm waiting on d-mail! Gotta love her! She's just the best!
You and CID and I could meet just about any time since we're so close to each other. Just lmk!
Bev

ok sounds good. just let me know when Tropicanna can meet together for a Sunday lunch. :)

-r30-

Will do!