Calea Zacatechichi

[Cufko]

Well, I didn't really know where to put this thread.
I need a little help. I have recently acquired 2 Calea Zacatechichi cuttings. One of them is growing nicely and without any problems. I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with the other one, but it has curled leaves, and the tips of the leaves turned to brown and dried out.

Anyway, I'm sure some of you have some experience with Calea. I would like to use it for more lucidity in my dreams. How do you guys use it? Make a tea out of its leaves? I noticed that the stem has a unique smell too, if I touch it.

And if anyone knows how to fix this problem with my plant, please tell me. The other plant was growing in almost identical conditions, and is now about 10cm higher. Could improper light be the reason? Thanks!!

 

[Ufostrahlen]

Are they indoors? What climate zone are you in? Also close-ups of the leaves could help. Can you spot mites?

 

[Nathanial.Dread]

How old are they and what condition did they come in?

I found that mind were a little stressed when they arrived and it took them about a week to bounce back. Plant them in well-draining soil and water when the soil looks dry. I've found mine have done very well in my present climate (temp range: 60-85, >50% humidity, partial shade).

One thing I've noticed with Salvia Divinorum and seems to be true of my Calea is that, if the plant gets moved to a radically new environment, the leaves will shrivel and brown, but the next generation of leaves will be fine in whatever the new climate is. You may just have to hang in there for a while until it can adapt.

Have you fertilized it? What's your water regimen like?

 

[Cufko]

Are they indoors? What climate zone are you in? Also close-ups of the leaves could help. Can you spot mites?

I live somewhere in the mediterranean climate, and they are indoors. And yes, I think there are mites on the leaves. I removed them once, they came back, but since the other plant seems to be fine even if the mites are there, I thought I could just leave them be.
Can't really get a nice close up of the leaves because I don't have any decent photographing equipment ...

How old are they and what condition did they come in?

I found that mind were a little stressed when they arrived and it took them about a week to bounce back. Plant them in well-draining soil and water when the soil looks dry. I've found mine have done very well in my present climate (temp range: 60-85, >50% humidity, partial shade).

One thing I've noticed with Salvia Divinorum and seems to be true of my Calea is that, if the plant gets moved to a radically new environment, the leaves will shrivel and brown, but the next generation of leaves will be fine in whatever the new climate is. You may just have to hang in there for a while until it can adapt.

Have you fertilized it? What's your water regimen like?

They are about 2 months old. I got them as cuttings, approximately 10cm high. I'm sure they were stressed, but they grew just fine, until now. The soil is well-draining and I am watering them occasionally, when the soil dries out. I try not to water too much. The temperature range here is the same as yours, kinda, it just gets colder in the winter. But now it's summer and the temperatures range from 65 to 85 degrees fahrenheit ... 20 - 30 °C. Humidity today was 46%.

I did fertilize it, but only a little. The fertilizer has NPK ratios of approximately 1-1-1, and contains some other stuff too in small amounts. Really not sure about the water regime, but I believe the water here is pretty good.

You mentioned Salvia Divinorum, which is funny, because I am struggling with them too. I got 2 cuttings, and yes, the leaves fell of after I brought them home. Stress was, I think, huge for them, and the cuttings were really small (2cm maybe). The old leaves dried out and fell off, and the new ones did too. Not sure what is wrong, I tried to increase the humidity and I just put one of them outside my room so that it can get as much light from the sun as possible (in a partial shade) and so that its rhythm of the day isn't interrupted. I'll see what happens now.

 

[Ufostrahlen]

I live somewhere in the mediterranean climate, and they are indoors.

Get them out. I live in Central Europe and mine are out since May. No adverse effect, nights are sometimes 5°C. Plants want to breathe. Unless the temperatures drop to < 8-10°C during the day, you can leave them outdoors.

And yes, I think there are mites on the leaves. I removed them once, they came back, but since the other plant seems to be fine even if the mites are there, I thought I could just leave them be.

Caleas are notorious mite attractors. Use Azadirachtin or Neem oil. It's safe and biodegradable. After 3 - 5 days UV radiation degrades these insecticides and you have to spray again. For ingestion of the sprayed leaves wait at least 14 days.

Traditional Ayurvedic uses of neem include the treatment of acne, fever, leprosy, malaria, ophthalmia and tuberculosis. Various folk remedies for neem include use as an anthelmintic, antifeedant, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, contraceptive, febrifuge, parasiticide, pediculocide and insecticide.

Neem oil - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The soil is well-draining and I am watering them occasionally, when the soil dries out. I try not to water too much.

Don't let the soil dry out, they love water.

I did fertilize it, but only a little. The fertilizer has NPK ratios of approximately 1-1-1, and contains some other stuff too in small amounts.

I use a 7-30-20 NPK fertilizer, but my plants are more mature. You can use a stronger fertilizer when they are + 6 months old.

 

[Nathanial.Dread]

For the Salvias, try putting them in a humidity tent: just get a 1-gal plastic bag and use a rubber band to put it over the mouth of whatever vessel you're rooting the cuttings in.

 

[Cufko]

Thank you both, I appreciate your answers and will do as you said. I already established a humidity tent for my Salvia, and I'll get rid of the mites on the Caleas and I'll put them outside. Thanks again