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Proton
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Salvia divinorum blackening leaves
#26865837 - 08/06/20 05:36 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I got a couple of salvia divinorum cuttings about a week ago. I potted them up immediately and watered well and have watered on a daily basis since, also misting and giving them a little time to breathe each day. The pot drains well into a dish so I'm not concerned about root rot.
Room temperature is within the ideal growing range and the room gets plenty of light. On the first couple of days they got about an hour of direct sunlight but I thought this might be too intense so have moved them to a more shaded area, but still plenty of diffuse light throughout the day.
The leaves on one cutting have started going black - does anyone know what I may be doing wrong?

Only thing I can think is I used a general compost rather than potting soil. Could over-nutrition be an issue?
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Allium
Registered: 03/16/20
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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Proton]
#26866788 - 08/06/20 04:24 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I tried groing this plant many times back when it was widely popular, and my plants would get black leaves just like that and die every time.
This is the single most plant that I've never been able to grow, no matter what.
I also don't think that there could be a more pickier plant on the planet!
Good luck
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Solipsis
m̶a̶d̶ disappointed scientist


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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Allium]
#26867591 - 08/07/20 02:45 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I think it's not necessarily a picky or difficult plant at all, it just is that way when only a couple basic requirements are not met.
Which is not a criticism but it is more a matter of climate and thermodynamics of your growing area.
In my experience one thing they hate is an atmosphere that dries them out. That is not as simple as only high humidity. You can have moderate to high humidity but have a constant current of air that takes away somewhat humid air with moisture taken from your plants and bringing in less humid air. Your RH% won't show this effect as it is about the differentials.
Humidity domes are a temporary solution to make the plants more comfortable, I believe because it prevents them from drying out. I am explicitly saying it like that vs. the dome just giving higher humidity.
It may just one reason why the leaves go black and die but that is the reason apparently for why mine do. In my apartment with central ventilation i can get this problem, which is worst in the winter (because of the effects of different humidities and the drying effect being enhanced). But I put my plant on the balcony now and it does a lot better.
In the past i could just grow it like a weed with zero effort, when i lived elsewhere. That was a quite shaded and quite humid area. So no drying out effects and no overly direct sunlight. Avoid those and it really shouldnt be too hard.
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Brian Jones
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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Proton]
#26867651 - 08/07/20 05:02 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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If the cuttings looked good when you got them, then with the available information, I'm guessing you're watering too often.
-------------------- "The Rolling Stones will break up over Brian Jones' dead body" John Lennon I don't want no commies in my car. No Christians either. The worst thing about corruption is that it works so well,
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Proton]
#26868928 - 08/07/20 07:05 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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It's acclimatising to its new environment and twisting and blackening leaves is normal while it does this. The blackening leaves will eventually drop off but don't worry. When your plant acclimatises to its new environment the new foliage that grows will be acclimated and grow Green and lush. Will grow from the nodes along the stem. Don't stress if the leaves you have fall off.
Do not put in full sun. Salvia enjoys dappled light and needs to acclimatise to its new environment in bright shade before giving stronger light. After a few weeks, when your plant is growing new foliage you can move it into stronger dappled light. Do this over a week to prevent shock.
Don't mist it too much. Once or twice a day maximum. By misting the plant you slow down the acclimatisation process and the plant will constantly be trying to acclimatise until it eventually dies.
Salvia are tough plants once acclimatised. My mother sits outdoors all year round and is basically left to fend for itself.
I root clones in water on a windowsill in a glass.
I never mist my plants or use humidity domes.
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Proton
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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: karode13]
#26869574 - 08/08/20 06:41 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I probably was overwatering slightly. The guy I got the cuttings from was also good enough to come back to me and give some pointers - I've put a couple of small cuts in the humidity tent bags as he thought it was probably too humid and will give it less attention than I was previously.
Knowing that some the leaves probably coming off is going to be part of the process is reassuring so I'll just keep monitoring it and hope for the best.
Fingers crossed I don't fuck these up, really would like to have a couple of these to add to my ever growing collection
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Solipsis
m̶a̶d̶ disappointed scientist


Registered: 12/28/09
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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Proton]
#26869805 - 08/08/20 09:59 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I have never encountered ill effects from a lot of watering - not saying it was wet rather than moist or that i never let it dry out a little to prevent fungi from growing too much etc but other than that I kept the soil wet almost the whole time and it worked great.
IDK i guess too much does exist.
Yeah so true about the acclimatization ^
But it can be challenging if you don't have such good conditions and not a lot of options to change that. And conditions can also change with the seasons, once again affecting the plants.
YMMV it really depends where you live and the exact conditions how challenging it is and how long.
Good luck.
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: Proton]
#26870502 - 08/08/20 07:09 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'd get rid of the humidity bag entirely and not water the plant until the soil is bone dry and the plant appears to be wilting. Mist once or twice a day instead.
Humidity domes don't really help your plant recover. It keeps it in a weakened state and you'll still have to acclimatise it.
Just let the plant be upset for a few weeks while it adjusts. It will adapt and the new growth will be acclimatised to your environment.
11 years of experience with this plant taught me to ignore humidity tents a long time ago. Once it's acclimatised it will grow like a normal plant for many years.
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Proton
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Re: Salvia divinorum blackening leaves [Re: karode13]
#26871848 - 08/09/20 04:02 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
karode13 said: I'd get rid of the humidity bag entirely and not water the plant until the soil is bone dry and the plant appears to be wilting. Mist once or twice a day instead.
Humidity domes don't really help your plant recover. It keeps it in a weakened state and you'll still have to acclimatise it.
Just let the plant be upset for a few weeks while it adjusts. It will adapt and the new growth will be acclimatised to your environment.
11 years of experience with this plant taught me to ignore humidity tents a long time ago. Once it's acclimatised it will grow like a normal plant for many years.
I'll give it a go - thanks again
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