We grow literally thousands of Salvia microphylla and greggii from seed every year. With good care one can bloom some of them in 4 to 6 months, some take longer. It really is not till the second year that a proper evaluation can be made.
Now, out of those thousands that we bloom, in a good year we keep 5. The largest proportion are either inferior to their parents or in no way better. It is fun to see them bloom for the first time, none the less.
