RedLab grow log..

[RedLab]

Strain: Blosser
Lighting: Natural indirect and 90 watt CFL Sunlight bulb above plant on Timer.
Grow Media/Soil Mix: Organic home mix I use with Orchids.
Fertilizer: None at the moment.
Temperature Range: 70's in Humidity box.. Ambient SoCal temps.. No AC in room.
Humidity: 85% +
Started From: Seed or Clone  Clone bought from ebay seller Gambusiamesh
Start Date: 8-28-08

Other Details/Images:

Plant arrived after a four day vacation with the USPS.. Normal wilt and browning.. Transplant into 1.5 gal black plastic pot and kept in large humidity box made out of two plastic sunshine crates.. Light source Durabright 90W Sunlight CFL 12-14" above top of plant.. south facing window provides indirect light.. and Back up 30W 24" growlight kept at pot level to provide side and underneath leaf light..

Photos as I get them..

[RedLab]

Taken about an hour after transplant and set up of humidity box..  I plan to move it outside in time.. This is my first Salvia..

[RedLab]

So I decided to cut the bottom two large leafs off last night.. The plant was wilted over and I may have jumped the gun but she perked right back up.. Today she is looking better.. Will put some pics up soon..

One question about how long I should leave the top off the box.? Is the time when I replace the water in the bottom of the box and mist her enough time.? I'd say total of maybe five minutes per day.. I can only mist her in the morning and then end of day..

Thanks.

[RedLab]

Photo of second day.. after cutting off the two bottom leaves.. any thoughts.?

[Arcygenical]

I wouldn't have removed those leaves, but she'll be fine.

[JustAnotherRegularGuy]

I agree the plant looks good, but I think it was the correct thing to do by removing the bottom two leaves if your plant was wilted right over. It looks like turgor pressure has returned and the plant is standing back up again now. Just a note on how you cut them of though. I have always been told to prune close to the main stem and not to leave any part of the leaf hanging off the stem. i would cut those back further. Don't worry about cutting off those baby leaves. They will grow right back and there will be twice as many of them.

3 days sealed in a box with no light nearly KILLS baby plants!
Almost all of the plants shipped that way need to have the 2 bottom leaves pulled off as soon as you unpack them: to restore hydrostatic balance (Turgor Pressure) and to combat root shock from rough handling in transit. If limp: remove leaf. repeat in 12 hours. Keep soil wet 1 week.

And 5 minutes with the top part of your box off is plenty enough time for gas exchange and fresh air to get in.

JARG

[RedLab]

So far so good..

[RedLab]

The plant is starting to adjust to the transplanting.. I have noticed new growth.. I am still keeping it in the Box but leaving the top off at night.. My goal is to acclimate it and try to keep her inside.. I have a second plant outside and I want to see how environment affects growth and clones..

[Sea Mac]

Removing those leaves straightened her up within a few hours.
You instinctively removed pore surface area and restored hydrostatic pressure (Turgor Pressure Balance) to the Whole plant!
You SAVED Her! [Genius +] for new growth! You're over the main hurdle now!

[RedLab]

More growth..

[3rdCoast]

looking beautiful! keep up the good work.

[RedLab]

3rd day out of the box.. acclimating seems to be going ok.. Older leaves have curled even more and are very dark but new growth has not been affected.. I am only misting twice a day and have been adding water to the small dish next to the plant.. This plant is kept near in my orchid room so the conditions should be good for it..

[RedLab]

Out of the Tent for good.. I am moving it to a much brighter location with better air circulation and lower evening temps.. Trying to resist putting her outside where I know she would grow best.. But I want to learn more about both methods of growing  inside she will stay.. Leaf color is much much darker than my outside plant, and the leaves are no even half as large.. But this is a very healthy plant and I'm not going to mess with her too much..