My Girl Sally

[gibran2]

gibran - can I ask another question? The plant I have is perfectly healthy, and 3 foot high, but it never branches like the ones in the photos you post. i.e. The nodes will produce two leaves, then the main stem grows, then another node with two leaves, and so on. So the plant never bushes. If I pinch out the top two leafbuds I can get the stem to branch into two, but the leaf nodes themselves never turn into branches like in your plants. Do you think I have a different type of plant than you, or are you doing something to make it branch?

Greatly appreciate the help. 8)

When I take a cutting, I usually take a section of a branch close to where it joins the main stem including 2 or 3 nodes. I remove the big leaves, leaving the small leaves (“proto-branches”?). Each node then has the potential to produce two branches, so a cutting with 3 nodes can produce up to 6 branches. You never know how many “proto-branches” will develop into branches. Usually it’s 3-5. I never pinch back a plant to “force” branching. Once I prepare the cutting, it’s up to the plant to decide how many branches it wants.

 

[Limeni]

Thanks gibran, so once your cutting has been potted and has grown a foot or two, does it continue to put out new branches from the nodes...because, as I say, mine only ever produces leaf-pairs from each node?

 

[gibran2]

Thanks gibran, so once your cutting has been potted and has grown a foot or two, does it continue to put out new branches from the nodes...because, as I say, mine only ever produces leaf-pairs from each node?

Yes, it immediately puts out new branches - as I said, usually 3-5. But as it grows it doesn't put out additional new branches (beyond the initial 3-5) until it's very large and growing very vigorously.

 

[Dreamwalker]

Interesting thread... I have acquired two rooted cuttings myself about a couple months ago. This is my first time growing them and thankfully I haven't run into any problems yet (knock on wood)

One of them was pinched at the top already when I received it. The second plant came un pinched. I thought it would be interesting to see the difference between the two as they grew.

The first plant that was pinched at the top definitely branched out a lot but it seems to be growing very slowly compared to the one that wasn't pinched. Also the leaves are A LOT smaller too.

I've been slowly adjusting them to the outdoors for the summer and wanted to take a couple cuttings before I leave them outside for good.

I'll try and post some pics of the two when I get a chance. One thing I'm sure of is that I won't pinch the cuttings I take. I'd rather cut them the way Gibran was saying and let them branch naturally. My plant that was not pinched has much bigger leaves and is growing much more quickly than the pinched one.

 

[Limeni]

Aha...that's interesting, thanks. I'll try the "proto-branch" technique, and see if I can get me some branches. 8)

 

[ocelot]

By the way...anyone in London who would like a cutting (for free) send me a pm. I may be able to help :d

 

[Ice House]

Okay, Well, Its been a while since I originally posted this thread and since there has been a couple other salvia threads going on I figured I would sport my girls also.

They are some healthy, very bushy girls!

They are about 6"-8" tall.

My plan is to transplant them into 5 gallon pots in the spring and put em outdoors for the summer.

They are under 600watt digilux metal halide lights, controlled by a digital magnetic ballast.

They are currently in 1gallon pots, in Ocean Forrest soil by Fox Farms.

I have 8 girls total.

Here is a few pictures.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rOm]

Ice house !! your plants looks very happy ! you have a green thumb & must love them a lot. salvia is such a great companion, and for some reason I fond plain homegrown leaves to be very healing and positive. Very good pre-launch for ayahuasca.

Keep up the love of growing life !