43 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
43 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
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Growing the Hallucinogens
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by
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Hudson Grubber
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SALVIA DIVINORUM
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"Pipiltzintzintli"
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Mint family (Labiatae)
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A woody perenial herb 4 to 6 feet tall with square, hollows stems. The
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leaves are dark green, 6 to 8 inches long, with toothed edges. The flowers
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are blue or white on spikes. Only found in cultivated by sorcerers in an
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isolated area in southern Mexico.
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Cultivation and Propagation
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Is is propagated in much the same manner as coleus. It needs a loose, rich
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soil. Is is best grown as a tub plant and brought indoors when the weather
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begins to cool. It may be grown outdoors in frost-free areas. This salvia
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is generally grown from cuttings, but I know of one instance in which it was
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grown from seed. The seed should be germinated in the same way as coleus.
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Cuttings should be taken in spring, after the plant has had alot of sun.
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Cut 1/2-inch below a node and root in no more than an inch of water. A
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pinch of rootone may be added to the water and shaken to dissolve it. This
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will help prevent stem rot and will stimulate rooting. When the roots are
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1/4-inch long the cutting should be potted. Longer roots may be damaged.
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Plant in a 2-inch pot with good potting soil. Grows rapidly after the roots
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are established. I have found that this plant is susceptible to stem rot if
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over-watered. It is often attacked by aphids, white flies, spider mites and
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mealy bugs.
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Harvesting
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Harvesting the leaves for use as a hallucinogen should not be attempted
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until one has at least four one-year-old plants. An equal number of leaves
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should be harvested from each plant so that the shock to one plant will not
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be great. Dosage may vary; begin with 10-20 fresh leaves. fresh leaves are
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used, as the active principle is believed to be unstable. Considering the
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rarity of the plant, the leaves should be chewed, because when the juices
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are expressed much of the active principle is wasted.
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