ethnobotanical

The stem cuttings (rooting in soil, water, and coir) developed crystals on the surfaces and undersides of leaves. I was told that this is referred to as "plant edema," and is often the result of high humidity and cells over-hydrating till bursting (this releases nutrients, salts, oxalic acid, &c).

Stem cuttings in different mediums. From left to right: a stem cutting in water (I will be transferring to coco coir in a week or two), a stem cutting in 50% coco coir and 50% soil (pasteurized), and a stem cutting in coco coir (pasteurized). I trimmed the leaves back a bit to reduce water loss.

Leaf cuttings in coco coir (pasteurized). I've never succeeded with this technique. Usually I have success with root growth, but then they stall or rot. Perhaps this time will be different.

Small leaves with stems and leaf cuttings wrapped in wet paper towel. I will be transferring these to soil in a week or two.

Happy cuttings growing roots on the surface of the soil while in an extremely humid chamber. New plants tend to wilt for several hours after transplanting outdoors, but they bounce back surprisingly quick. That seems to be the one time it is beneficial to overwater them.

Posted yesterday, but—after watching this video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwdDQ4t )—I decided that the shoots coming from the base of my plant looked good enough to propagate. Might be too small, but curiosity got the best of me. I will post another update of my plant and these cuttings in July.

Just over 30 days of growth. This pot seems to be the correct size, and it perfectly retains moisture. Appears to be growing bushier than what I have seen. Color is a healthy light green with a velvety layer of trichomes. Minimal bug damage. Thoughts? Should I just keep on keeping on?

I'll be posting updates, as this is my first salvia plant (out of four attempts) that has put out new growth! The last three were indoors—and I did not have the best setup for them—but I finally have a yard to put this one in. The plant prefers this mostly shaded spot under our apple tree.