Baracs First Salvia Grow 1 Month 3 Days

[Baracs]

Strain: Blosser
Lighting: As for now room light ( I have a 400w hps but that's probably too strong)
Grow Media/Soil Mix: Miracle grow potting soil (seems to work with everything I have ever potted.)
Fertilizer: Whatever is in the potting soil.
Temperature Range: room temp (around 70deg)
Humidity: 90%
Started From: Prerooted 8"-10" Clone
Start Date: September 11 2008
Other Details/Images:
I got my system all set up and ready for the arrival of my first salvia baby!
Wick system using polyester rope.
Small tub for water (the water bottle acts like a dog water feeder. I am sometimes gone for a week at a time.)
and a clear trashcan with holes drilled in the top and taped over for slow acclimation. (removing the tape daily)



Now all I need to do is wait for my new freind!

Update! Day 1, 9/11/08:
She arrived! Today on Thursday! A little droopy but nothing that wasn't expected!

And in the tent.


Update! Day 2, 9/12/08:
Transplanted into soil. Not much to see though, looks exactly the same as yesterday.

Update! Day 3, 9/13/08:
She's showing signs of recovery! Starting to lift those leaves up!



Update! Day 7, 9/17/08:
Leaves are still slightly curled, but it looks as if shes recovered as much as shes going to from shipment I have been away from home for three days and shes been doing great by herself! I also started to slowly move her closer to some direct light.

[Paradoxic]

That looks like a pretty slick setup. I don't think I fully understand how the water bottle dispenser works, can you explain that more? That might be a cool guide to add to the site.

Welcome to Salvia Source!

[Hero4Evz]

it's like you see on some auto-filling dog waterbowls. when the water is over the opening no air is allowed in the bottle so the water remains in it due to the creation of a vacum. when the water level recedes the air is allowed in and water let out keeping it at a constant level until the bottle is out of water. thus keeping his water level at the proper height to keep his pot dry but be allowed to keep more water in the system.

[Paradoxic]

Ok, that's what I thought, it just seemed strange to have the pot elevated that much.

Anyway, so in this case it waters through the bottom of the pot. For Salvia this is not the best approach for the long-term because you don't want water to sit in bottom of the pot, the water should always be able to fully drain. This is very important because if there isn't good drainage you will end up with root rot, which is disastrous for your plant.

[Baracs]

Well its a wick system. So the soil would be all equally moist all around. That's why it is elevated so I can have the wick come out the bottom of the pot. I doubt it would causes rot because the soil is only moist, it will never hold any extra water because it would drain out the bottom.

[JustAnotherRegularGuy]

Baracs, it sounds like you have some experience growing things which will certainly help you with Salvia. Sometimes it can be very picky. Since you haven't got your plants yet I just wanted to point out some pros and cons bifster wrote on the wicking system. Unfortunately she didn't have the best of luck with it...

http://www.salviasource.org/forum/cultivation/the-pros-and-cons-of-using-a-wicking-system/0/

JARG

[Baracs]

Well I just opened up my Salvia package! Here she is. Any suggestions?
In the cup it looks as if it was packaged with paralite and papertowels. Should I transplant it or wait?

[JustAnotherRegularGuy]

You can transplant it now...just try to not disturb the roots as much as possible.

JARG

[Baracs]

Ok well I just transplanted it. It looks exactly the same as yesterday. How long does it usually take for them to lift themselves back up?

[JustAnotherRegularGuy]

I would expect it to slowly show signs of getting better over the next week......it's a painfully slow process until these plants get established.....but then they take off like rockets! Just make sure it isn't slowly getting worse. You pretty much just have to let it be for a week which is sometimes hard to do. It's like buying a new car and then having to wait a week before you take it out for a spin!

JARG

[Baracs]

Haha ok Is just I feel the need to do some thing cus she looks so sad and droopy Shes probably just sad that her original parents sold her or something. I'll be a good dady I swear!

[Baracs]

Alrighty!! Day 3 and shes starting to lift her leaves up and recover from the shipping

[Baracs]

So its been about 1 week now and my salvia is lookin good!

[Baracs]

Sorry for not updating more often but here is how big shes gotten!! Its been a month and 3 days.

oh and i didn't date the pics sorry.



Pinched the two big leaves.



lol look how small she was!





pinched!!!!!



These were taken today, Oct 14:
At this point in the pictures there's no old leaves.(harvested them) All those leaves were grown by me

ohh snap look how big the lil one got!!!



And that's that!
One month and 3 days. Fully acclimated(45%RH), 75deg F, 400w HID.
I am a believer in the wick system btw. I'm gone for weeks at a time. I was gone for 2 weeks at one point. Yes, you do have to change the water and flush out the dirt, but seriously... its a lot less work than having to worry about watering.

[black8teen]

For this being your first Salvia grow, your doing amazing. [Genius +] from me. Congrats on a happy plant. Take lots of pictures with that pinch you did. There are not a lot that have been documented well, and any more are always good to see how to do it.

Happy Growing!