Salvia apiana WHITE SAGE (10 seeds)

Sacred White Sage is an herbaceous plant native to the high deserts of California in North America. Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, this perennial is considered sacred by indigenous tribes. It has a relatively slow growth rate and a bushy, spreading habit, reaching up to one meter in height by late summer.

Its foliage is its most striking feature: persistent, silvery white-gray, and downy, with a very intense and fragrant aroma.

In summer, it produces small white flowers that release a sweet, intoxicating scent, attracting bees and butterflies.

White Sage seeds from Salvia apiana are small, round, and usually brown to black, measuring about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter with a smooth, shiny surface.

- Properties:

This variety is renowned for its purifying and relaxing medicinal properties. According to Native American tradition, it is used in smudging (fumigation) to cleanse negative energies from a space.

The smoke from its dried bundles releases an incomparable scent of cleanliness and a pleasant fragrance.
Do not consume without medical advice from a healthcare professional.

- Seed Sowing and Germination:

• Begin sowing Sacred Sage from mid-May, as nights are too cool before this period.
• Sow seeds in a tray filled with high-quality, fine horticultural soil.
• Bury them flat at a depth of 3 to 4 millimeters.
• Place the tray in a warm greenhouse at a temperature near 35°C.
• Water gently by misting. Crucial: The soil must never remain damp for more than 3 days to prevent "damping-off" (seedling rot).
• Germination typically begins between 3 and 6 weeks.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

The substrate must be extremely well-drained and rich in organic matter. Use a mix of 1/3 sand and 2/3 rich soil (like seed-starting mix). For pot culture, it is vital to line the bottom with several centimeters of volcanic rock (lava stone) or gravel for drainage.

- Exposure / Light:

It must be grown in a very bright location, preferably in full sun.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

This Native American plant loves high summer heat, thriving in temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Regarding hardiness, it originates from warm regions and cannot tolerate cold or frost. It must be protected or brought indoors during winter.

- Watering / Irrigation:

Due to its semi-desert origin, it requires very little water. One watering per week at the base of the plant is more than enough. In winter, do not water at all, as root rot can occur very easily.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

White Sage can be reproduced by sowing seeds or by stem cuttings. For cuttings, take pieces 10 to 15 cm long, place them in moist soil, and keep them in a humid greenhouse environment.

- Pests / Diseases:

Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, and mites can affect the plant. It is recommended to treat it with tansy extract to eliminate these parasites.

Diseases: It is susceptible to powdery mildew and rust if the environment is too humid.

- Maintenance:

Prune back faded stems in the spring to encourage fresh, vigorous growth.