Salvia-D
Salvia d is fairly easy to grow once you get the hang of it. When it is in
its vegetative phase, it can grow very fast. Unfortunately, it is also a very
sensitive plant and any changes to it's environment can slow growth almost to a
standstill. The following conditions are how I grow my Salvia d. There are many
variations and, at present, I know of nothing to suggest that growing certain
ways will increase or decrease the Salvinorin levels.
Pots
Salvia d will grow just fine outside during the spring/summer/fall months but
will die if the temperature drops to freezing. Most people therefore keep salvia
d as an indoor plant. The potential size of the plant will be limited by the
size of the pot; plants with crowed root systems will grow extremely slowly or
not at all. A salvia d plant in a 3-5 gallon pot will grow like crazy and be 3
feet tall in no time if you let it get that high. Most people don't have the
room for pots of this size and can use 1-2 gallon pots. They are also easier to
handle. The plants would quickly outgrow anything ½ gallon or smaller. There is
really no reason to start the plant in a small pot then transplant it as it
grows; transplanting only shocks the plant unnecessarily. Simply grow the plant
in the biggest pot you can from the beginning.
If you love to water your plants, use clay pots, they will absorb some of the
water and help prevent over watering. Plastic pots will hold the water in the
soil and allow you to go a while without watering (I have plants that haven't
been watered in over a month).
Soil
Most potting soils will work fine. Salvia D.'s roots can be sensitive to wet
soil/over watering so good drainage is important. Adding Perlite to the soil can
help a lot. The mix I use is:
- 4 Parts Potting soil
- 2 Parts Perlite
- 1 Part Vermiculite
- I also add some worm castings and some small pebbles.
It seems to work very well. Avoid using commercial potting mixes that are
premixed with fertilizer.
Salvia d can also be grown Hydroponically.
Light
While most of the available information suggests that salvia d prefers some
direct sun and partial shade, I believe this is mostly related to light
intensity rather than duration. My salvia d is currently growing under
florescent lights that are on 18 hours a day. I have four 24" single lights
mounted to a wooden frame suspended about 14 inches over the tops of the plants.
Cool white bulbs work great and the special 'plant' bulbs will not increase
growth noticeably. You should probably stay away from the HID lighting sometimes
used for indoor gardening unless you use a fairly low wattage (400 or less) or
keep them far above the plants.
Humidity and Temperature
The plant will adapt to just about any humidity level and a temperature range
from 50-90º. But once it gets used to it's conditions, it does not like to
change. I have noticed the fastest growth (I would call it explosive!) from my
plants at about 75º and 85-95% humidity. I keep them in a plastic humidity tent
with an ultrasonic humidifier going while the lights are on. The tent is made of
a ¾" PVC pipe frame with plastic sheeting wrapped around it. It cost less than
$30 (US) to make and works great. I open up the tent almost every day to let
fresh air in. Many people prefer to have the plants at ambient humidity which is
fine too but they will grow more slowly. I will have to start adapting mine soon
and will probably only use the tent for cuttings since it is getting crowded. It
is said that leaves that were grown at high humidity have trouble adapting to a
lower humidity and often turn brown and die. They are then replaced by new
leaves which are accustomed to the lower humidity.
Watering/Misting/Fertilizer
There is no set watering schedule; it is dependant on many things. Most
people tend to over water their plants. This is believed to cause the leaves to
brown starting from the edges and working it's way inward. Overly wet soil will
also promote root rot which can kill a plant. Salvias should not be watered
until the soil is dry to the touch. A good way to determine this is to not water
the plant until it starts to wilt; then look at the soil and remember it's
condition. Every time the soil looks and feels like this.... water it. Do not
let the plant wilt every time it needs water, this will stress the plant and
slow down the growth. Most of what I have read suggests that Salvia d prefers
slightly acidic soil (pH < 7). So I will water about every eighth watering with
full strength (according to instructions) Miracle-Gro® Azalea, Camellia,
Rhododendron Plant Food which has a higher acid level than regular plant food.
They seem to like it. I also mist the plants with a Liquid Kelp foliar spray.
While it is far from necessary, they seem to enjoy that too. If you choose to
use fertilizer, it is VERY important to occasionally flush the soil or the
nutrients will build up to toxic levels in a few months. The first sign of a
toxic buildup is slowed/deformed growth. To flush the plant, water it until the
water starts to drip from the bottom drainage holes then add an additional
amount of water equal to the volume of soil in the pot. So if you have the plant
in a 1 gallon pot ¾ full of soil, add ¾ of a gallon more of water. Of course
your soil mix must have the proper amount of drainage to do this or you will
drown the roots.
What's Next
"OK, so now I have a healthy, growing salvia d plant and I want more.... how
do I make more plants??"
It is relatively easy. Basically what you do is hack off a branch just below a
node and jam it in the dirt. Well, maybe not that easy; but propagating cuttings
is a simple thing to do, just follow these easy steps.
Or perhaps you have done everything right and your Salvias just won't grow...
maybe they are so bad they look like they are dying. It could be bugs. Slowed or
halted growth is often one of the first signs of a bug problem. Check the Bug
Guide to see if you may have an infestation.
To order or with questions call toll free: 1-800-920-1696
Buy Salvia Extract
|
