If you are looking for a real eye-catcher for your balcony or terrace, fire sage is the best choice. Because its fiery red flowers are truly an eye-catcher.
Fire sage comes into play when you are looking for a colorful and easy-care ornamental plant. The blooming exotic is not only suitable for the bed, but also for flower boxes and tubs. There he convinces above all with his bright red inflorescences. In the meantime, however, pink or purple flowering varieties are also available. We would like to explain to you here in detail how you can, in principle, cultivate fire sage without a green thumb.
Special features of fire sage
Fire sage is at home in the rainforests of Brazil and grows up to 40 centimeters high there. Some sources report a psychedelic effect of the plants. So far, however, there is no evidence or explanation for the relaxing effect that occurs after consuming fire sage. However, folk medicine refers to the anxiolytic effect of fire sage and also brings the plant into discussion because of its antimicrobial properties.
Find the right location
The fire sage loves a location that largely corresponds to its tropical homeland. The plants therefore prefer a bright and sunny location, but also thrive in semi-shade. However, the fire sage will only be able to convince with its flowers if it gets enough light.
Selecting the ideal substrate
The demands on the substrate are low. The fire sage thrives in all garden soils. It is best to loosen up soil that is too heavy and impermeable with a little sand or gravel. A humus-rich and well-drained soil, on the other hand, is generally optimal for fire sage. However, the plants can also be cultivated on moist and calcareous soil.
Tip:
Drainage made of potsherds or lava granules helps against waterlogging.
Planting fire sage - explained step by step
- Select location.
- Prepare the ground.
- Dig the planting hole.
- Create drainage.
- Place plant.
- Fill excavation.
- Press the soil well.
- Water the plant.
When cultivating in a bucket, you must ensure that there are sufficient drainage holes in the bottom of the container so that the irrigation water can drain off easily and does not accumulate. A drainage made of potsherds or gravel, for example, improves the flow properties of the water.
How to properly care for fire sage
Casting:
The need for moisture is not excessive. You always have to keep the soil slightly moist, but it can dry on the surface. Fire sage, on the other hand, does not tolerate waterlogging at all. Short periods of drought can even promote growth.
Fertilize:
If the substrate contains sufficient nutrients when planting, additional fertilization is not absolutely necessary. During the growth phase, however, fire sage tolerates moderate amounts of fertilizer.
Tip:
Use significantly less fertilizer than recommended by the manufacturer.
If you enrich the soil with compost or horn shavings before planting, the plant is supplied with long-term fertilizer and an additional supply of nutrients is actually superfluous.
Cut:
If you want your fire sage to grow bushy, you can trim the shoot tips during the growth period. Then more side shoots form and the growth habit can be influenced accordingly.
To enjoy the flowers for a long time, you should always cut back the faded first bloom. The plant will then begin to produce a second bloom and you will enjoy the bright spikes of flowers for longer.
Tip:
After the second bloom you can win the seeds. Then overwinter them in a dry and cool place and sow them in the following spring.
Hibernate:
Fire sage is a perennial, but is considered an annual plant in our latitudes. Since the fire sage is not hardy, it is increasingly removed from the beds or planters in autumn and disposed of. However, hibernation is quite possible. The plants need a bright winter quarters. In addition, the temperature should be five to ten degrees. In winter, watering is then only sporadic. So the soil is allowed to dry out on the surface.
In mild climates you can also try to overwinter the fire sage outdoors. But as a precaution, you should attach a cover made of leaves or twigs in autumn.
Propagating fire sage - step by step instructions
Step 1:
You can start growing the plants from February. In principle, the propagation of the annual plant is possible by sowing. Unlike many other plants, soaking the seeds in water before sowing is not necessary. A light moistening is perfectly sufficient.
Step 2:
You can use cactus soil for the cultivation, because, like cacti, fire sage requires little water. Simply place the seeds in the planter and cover a few millimeters with soil. Then moisten them slightly. You must never keep the soil too wet. Therefore, watering from a plant sprayer is a good idea. Sufficient humidity also promotes germination. You can help accordingly and put a plastic bag over the seed. However, you must then air the covers briefly every day, otherwise mold could form.
Step 3:
The plant pots should now be bright but not in full sun. The ideal temperature is 20 degrees. When germination begins is generally temperature dependent. It may take a week or two.
Step 4:
Once the plants have grown sufficiently, you must prick them out. However, a few weeks should have passed since germination. The best way to do this is as follows:
➔ Remove the plants from the planter.
➔ Place on a surface.
➔ Loosen the soil with a wooden stick.
➔ Carefully pull the plants apart.
➔ Fill a separate planter with soil.
➔ Press down on the soil.
➔ Form a planting hole with your finger.
➔ Insert the plant carefully.
➔ Press down on the soil lightly.
➔ Spray the soil with water.
➔ Set up the planter bright and warm.
Step 5:
After about two months, the plants have developed so far that they can get a place outdoors. However, you should not plant the fire sage outside until mid-May, when the ice saints are over and no more night frosts are to be expected. About ten weeks after sowing, the first buds form on fire sage.
Recognize diseases and pests on fire sage
Fire sage is preferentially attacked by aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. Nettle manure, garlic brew, soapy water and a mixture of cigarette ash and water are particularly helpful against aphids and spider mites. On the other hand, they help against whitefliesIchneumon wasps and yellow catch plates.