I just got a bunch of Blossler's Salvia divinorum, what OTJ calls the
"palatable clone". I'm shipping them postage paid for $20. The standard
Wasson-Hoffman strain is also available for the same price, or both clones
for $35. Peruvianus still $25 per 15" cutting.
A florist recently showed me that wilting cut flowers will be revived by
sticking several pennies in the bottom of the vase of water. Perhaps it
would be a good idea to put pennies in the bottom of the containers when
rooting Salvia or other plants to give trace minerals.
I was astounded to see these Salvia plants that were grown in a greenhouse at
high humidity and lengthy full direct sunlight. The plants had the thickest
strongest branches that I have ever seen. They were in tiny pots that
couldn't have contained more than a quart and a half of soil. Knowing that
Salvia needs frequent repotting as it grows to give it nutrients so it will
grow normanlly, i asked how this was possible. The plants were being
fertilized with something which was called "Hoagan's mixture. My spelling may
be off. Evidently somebody named Daniel Hoagan, in the 1930's?, analyzed
soil samples from all over the world, and determined which minerals and
micro-nutrients are ideal for plants. The formula he invented was producing
impressively luxurient growth on these Salvias, although it was not exactly
organic gardening. Unfortunately these plants were not very hardy when
removed from the greenhouse. Pampered and spoiled their entire lives, they
had considerable wilting in normal conditions, unlike cuttings which will
grow unattended even during the winter outside in sheltered spots in the San
Francisco Bay area.
Its my belief that Salvia D.'s can take *lots* of light if:
1) They are kept very humid. (close to 100%)
2) The temp. is kept a cool 70 deg. f.
Before I did this... my plants were not as sturdy; the leaves were smaller; the distance
between the nodes was larger. I put my plants under some stronger artificial lights.
Now, the leaves have doubled in size; the Stems are thicker; the nodes are shorter.
This makes the plants lower and bushier... with more leaves that are larger.
And they sometimes grow several inches in a week.
I believe xxxxxx (VPL's professor) posted that he grew Salvia D.s under MH lights.
(They are pretty darn bright... MJ growers use these.)
> The plants were being
>fertilized with something which was called "Hoagan's mixture. My spelling may
>be off.
There are several good fertilizers that add trace minerals. I use Sterns "Miracid".
They claim to add: Chelated Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zink, Molybdenuim, and Boron.
I add it every week to my water.
It also makes the soil more acid.... and Salvia D. is a acid lover. If you don't keep
the soil acid... you can get yellowing leaves, and Salvia D. won't grow as fast.
Growing a acid loving plant in a neutral or base soil can lower its resistance to
pests and soil born diseases.