Sage - planting and care. Clary sage, clary sage, growing Clary sage, mushroom flavor, planting and care

Two types of sage are cultivated: medicinal (Salvia officinalis) and clary (Salvia sclarea). I grow both types on my plot. Clary sage is more decorative, but medicinal sage is more useful and unpretentious.

- a perennial subshrub up to 50 cm high with a powerful woody root and numerous densely leafy stems. The leaves are opposite, oblong (up to 6 cm in length), pubescent, grayish-green. The stem and branches end in whorled flowers. The flowers are blue-violet, two-lipped, bloom in June. The seeds ripen in July; they are round (up to 3 mm in diameter), dark brown, almost black.

Salvia officinalis is a heat-loving and drought-resistant plant that does not require special conditions growing. Grows in any humus-rich, well-drained soil. Propagated by seedlings, cuttings and dividing the bush. Seeds remain viable for three years. Seeds can be sown in open ground in spring and autumn, but it is best to propagate sage from seedlings. I sow them in boxes in early spring, water them with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then cover the box with glass and wait for shoots, periodically removing the glass for ventilation. If necessary, I moisten the soil. Shoots appear after 12-20 days; they are usually weak and very fragile. Before transplanting into open ground, they need to be watered several times with weak potassium permanganate and ash infusion. I transplant the seedlings into open ground in mid-May, very carefully. In the first year, the plants develop slowly, but with age many new shoots grow, which become lignified in the lower part. The bush gradually grows in breadth, so permanent place I plant sage officinalis according to the pattern 50x50x50 cm. Sage grows in one place for 4-6 years. Caring for the plant comes down to regular weeding, loosening the rows and fertilizing with slurry (1:10) at the beginning of regrowth and during budding.

In the official and folk medicine Only the leaves of Salvia officinalis are used, which contain a lot essential oil, alkaloids, flavonoids, resins, tannins and other substances. The leaves are collected 2-3 times during the summer, the first time at the beginning of flowering, and the last time no later than September.

Sage in folk medicine

In scientific medicine, salvia officinalis is used to rinse the mouth for stomatitis, the throat for catarrh, in the form of lotions for the treatment of wounds and ulcers, and also internally for the treatment of tuberculosis. Traditional medicine uses this plant more widely: as an expectorant for acute respiratory infections, for inflammation of the renal pelvis and gallbladder, for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (including stomach ulcers), for flatulence, diarrhea, nosebleeds and hemorrhoids, and rashes. Sage reduces the secretion of sweat and mammary glands, stops inflammatory processes, acts as an active antibiotic, and has analgesic, hemostatic, anthelmintic, and bactericidal properties.

The decoction is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. dry crushed sage leaves, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 45 minutes, strain and take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day. Admission is limited. In cooking, dried sage leaves are used in small quantities (pinches). They are added to salads, sauces, herring marinade, minced meat, pates, fillings, gingerbreads, cookies, tinctures.

Carp with sage (Czech cuisine)

Required: 1.5 kg of carp, salt, ginger, sage, flour, sunflower oil, garlic. Cut the cleaned carp into pieces (1.5-2 cm). Add salt, sprinkle with ginger, grated garlic, salt, add a pinch of sage, roll in flour and fry in oil. Serve potatoes as a side dish.

Clary sage differs significantly from Salvia officinalis. This herbaceous plant up to 1 m high with large ovoid wrinkled leaves and large bright lilac flowers collected in whorled inflorescences. Blooms from June to July. The central stem blooms first, then the side shoots. The seeds are similar to the seeds of Salvia officinalis and ripen unevenly.

Clary sage reproduces only by seeds. Grows on sunny places on any soil. The plant is a biennial, developing slowly in the first year, and faster in the second year. I don't collect seeds. The plant reproduces by self-seeding. Not aggressive, I remove unnecessary plants - that’s all. The usual care is weeding, loosening, feeding with mullein. Clary sage is very decorative, known since the Middle Ages; it was then called “Eye of Christ,” which did not prevent it from being eaten with vegetables and meat. During flowering, clary sage exudes a pleasant spicy aroma. Medicinal properties This type of sage has flowers, although not as strong as those of Salvia officinalis. Clary sage is very useful for people with eye diseases.

In perfumery, clary sage oil is used as an odor fixative. It is also used in the production of vintage wines, beer, and jams to improve the bouquet and consolidate the aroma of products.

From Salvia officinalis you can create decorative groups, plant it in borders, and from clary sage - only decorative groups and flower beds. It is good to plant clary sage near resting places to enjoy its aroma longer.

The sage did not fare well this winter. Many plants fell out in places where there was ice and water. That’s why I didn’t bring sage to the market, but there was demand. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who lost sage. If we compare the decorativeness of the two fluffy plants: pure Byzantine and sage, then, in my opinion, sage is more decorative, but I’m not even talking about usefulness. Yes, and sage can be grown in a pot.

Reading time: 11 minutes

Specialist with 7 years of experience in horticultural crops

Translated from Latin, sage (Salvia) means “to be healthy.” Essential oil of leaves and flowers is used in cooking, cosmetology, and folk medicine. His antiseptic property used to treat inflammation, fungal diseases. Unpretentious plant It has lush greenery, blooms beautifully, and is grown for landscaping.

What does sage look like?

Ornamental and medicinal plants of the genus sage (salvia) belong to the Lamiaceae family. About 700 species of this crop are distributed throughout the world. The herbaceous plant has a tetrahedral erect stem. Its height sometimes reaches 1.2 m. Simple or pinnate leaves are pubescent and located oppositely on the stem. The basal leaf blades are large (8-15 cm), sessile. The rest are on petioles.

Sage shoots

The culture begins to bloom from the second year of life. The inflorescence spike or false whorl most often consists of blue-violet flowers with two-lipped corollas. Salvia blooms from July to late autumn. August – September is the time of ripening of fruits and nuts. Seeds remain viable for about 3 years.

Types of sage

Wild salvia species grow in subtropical and temperate climates. Description of some varieties of culture:

1. Salvia officinalis(Salvia officialis) reaches 75 cm in height. U different varieties The color of the foliage varies from light green to burgundy. Light purple flowers are collected in 10 pieces in a false whorl inflorescence. The essential oil of the plant is rich in pinene, alkaloids, camphor, and tannins. The fruits contain glycerides and linoleic acid. Wild varieties found in southeastern Europe.
2. Clary sage(Salvia sclarea). Plant height – 40 cm. In nature, distributed in the Caucasus, in Central Asia, Europe. The medicinal culture contains coumarins in the roots. Its essential oil has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. The most popular varieties among gardeners are the Crimean Early, Voznesensky, and Moldavian varieties.
3. White sage(Salvia apiana). The natural habitat of the crop is North America. The species is distinguished by gray-white wrinkled leaves and a rich, bitter aroma. The essential oil of this honey plant has medicinal antifungal properties and is used as an antispasmodic.
4. Meadow or field sage(Salvia pratensis) found in Europe. The perennial grows up to 70 cm. The basal leaves of the bush are large (up to 15 cm), long-petioled. Towards the top, the size of the leaf blades and the length of the petioles decreases. The top of the stem is framed by small sessile foliage. The color of the flowers can be white, pink, purple. The essential oil of leaves and inflorescences has expectorant, tonic, and antibacterial properties.
5. Oak sage(Salvia nemorosa) grows in the steppes of Europe. A honey plant up to 90 cm high with long (10-12 cm) narrow leaves. Dark purple flowers are pubescent. The culture grows on loose fertile soils and tolerates partial shade. Created by selection decorative varieties– dwarf Marcus with a height of 25 cm, Caradonna with an almost black color of the stem, Adriana with white inflorescences, and Amethist with large pink flowers.
6. Salvia horminum(Salvia horminum). The homeland of the species is the Mediterranean. The height of the flower is 40-60 cm, the leaves are pubescent. The salvia flower has bright pink and purple bracts located around the stem in 4-6 pieces. In temperate climates, Salvia horminum is cultivated as an annual. Popular varieties: White Swan, Pink Sunday, Oxford Blue.
7. Sage brilliant or sparkling(Salvia splendens). A perennial subshrub 0.7-1 m high, native to tropical Brazil. Has red or purple flowers, elliptical foliage with jagged edges 5-7 cm long. In temperate climates, the species is grown as an annual crop.
8. Divination sage or narcotic(Slvia divinrum) is distributed only in the mountainous regions of Central America. A perennial subshrub 1.5-2 m high, its white flowers are collected in an inflorescence of spikes. A psychotropic substance, salvinolin A, is produced from the leaves of the crop. The species was obtained unusual name, because it is used by Indian shamans in rituals.
9. Prairie sage(Salvia stepposa). Perennial 30-60 cm high, common in steppe zone of Eastern Europe, Central Asia. Its stem is erect and not pubescent. Large leaves located oppositely on the stem. Blue-violet flowers have a pubescent calyx. They are collected in 4-6 pieces in false whorl inflorescences. The crop blooms from June to August.

Properties of sage

How to plant sage in the country

Salvia is grown in the country from seeds or seedlings. The flower loves well-lit areas, loose fertile land. You cannot plant sage in an area where plants of the Lamiaceae family were previously grown. At one place perennial varieties sage grows for 7-8 years.

Features of soil preparation:

1. Heavy clay soil is not suitable for planting salvia: after rain, the water stagnates in it, causing the roots to become wet and rot. In winter, the crop freezes in such land. To improve the composition of clay soil, add humus and sand (1 bucket per sq. m).
2. In the fall, when preparing the flower garden for spring planting Salvia soil is dug up with humus (compost) at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 sq. m. Apply phosphorus-potassium mineral fertilizers (20 g of potassium sulfate and double superphosphate per 1 sq. m).
3. Dig up acidic soil with lime (0.2-0.5 kg/sq. m). To neutralize too alkaline soil, add gypsum (2-3 kg/10 sq. m). You can check the pH using a litmus indicator, which is sold in an agricultural store. Acceptable soil acidity for a flower is 5.5-6.5 pH.

Sage planting dates

Salvia is planted in the greenhouse in May. For planting seeds in open ground best time- the beginning of June. Seeds germinate at an average daily temperature of 20-22°C. Sometimes sowing is postponed to October, then the soil of the flower garden is fertilized in the spring. When planting in autumn, only dry seeds are planted in the ground. Before sowing in the spring, the planting material is kept in the growth stimulator Kornevin, according to the instructions for use.

Algorithm for planting seedlings in April:

1. Place drainage at the bottom of the planting container. For this it is better to use expanded clay. The material is saturated with moisture and gradually releases it to the soil.
2. Sprinkle seedling soil mixture on top of the drainage and water well.
3. Make grooves 1-1.5 cm deep at a distance of 10 cm from each other.
4. Plant the seeds at a distance of 3–5 cm from each other.
5. Fill the furrows with soil and moisten them with a spray bottle.
6. Cover the container plastic film To preserve moisture and heat, place it on the windowsill of a south-facing window.
7. Moisten the soil as the top layer dries.
8. Open the film for 5-10 minutes a day to prevent mold from forming on the surface of the soil.

Shoots will appear approximately 2 weeks after planting the seeds. Further care of seedlings:

1. Dive seedlings into peat pots after 2 leaves appear.
2. To harden the seedlings, take them out into the open air on a warm sunny day.
3. Plant seedlings in open ground when the air warms up to 22–25°C according to a 20x50 cm pattern.
4. If a strong cold snap is expected, cover the bed with agrofibre.

Sage planting time

Caring for a plant in open ground

Regional varieties of the crop are adapted to the climate of temperate latitudes. With proper watering and periodic fertilizing, sage in the countryside blooms profusely until frost. Garden salvia needs to be covered for the winter.

Watering salvia

Sage loves moderate watering. Stagnation of water in the ground leads to rotting of the root system of the flower. Salvia care involves periodic watering. On sandy loam soils– twice a week, on loamy soils – once every 7–10 days. When growing sage seedlings in open ground it is necessary to ensure that the top layer of soil does not dry out more than 5-7 cm.

Fertilizers

Annual feeding of salvia contributes to:

• increasing the number of buds;
• extension of flowering period;
• brighter colors of flowers;
• strengthening roots;
• rapid growth of young shoots.

Sage seedlings

At the beginning of the growing season, salvia is fertilized with slurry. To obtain it, horse or cow manure is poured with water 1:10 and left to ferment for 10 days. Then the slurry is diluted again 1:10 and the bushes are watered at the rate of 2.5 liters per 1 square meter. m. When using bird droppings, the water content in solutions is doubled.

Instead of organic matter, in early spring you can enrich the soil with nitrogen mineral fertilizers. To do this, dissolve 50 g of urea in a bucket of water and water the salvia (3–5 l/sq. m based on soil fertility). Before flowering, plants use potassium-phosphorus mineral fertilizers (20 g of potassium monophosphate per 10 liters of water). Dosage – 0.5 l for an adult bush. For foliar feeding(spraying) use nitroamophoska: 2 tbsp. spoons per 10 liters of water.

Weeding salvia

Caring for sage requires periodic weeding. Simultaneous loosening of the soil enriches the roots with oxygen and prevents stagnation of moisture. When planting salvia seedlings, you need to weed weekly. weeds because it grows faster than seedlings.

Bush pruning

To prevent the bushes from aging longer, actively grow young foliage and new growth; in the spring, the tops of adult shoots are cut off by 1/3. This is especially true for medicinal sage, because young, succulent leaves are more suitable for medicinal purposes. Trimmed salvia produces more flower stalks in the summer and forms large flowers. To protect garden sage from freezing, before the onset of the first frost it is cut “to the stump”.

Preparing for winter

IN middle lane In Russia, caring for garden salvia includes covering it for the winter:

1. With the onset of frosts of 3–5°C, the pruned bush is mulched with humus.
2. The top is covered with dry straw (leaves), covered with spruce branches and agrofibre.
3. In winter, a snowdrift of 30–50 cm is poured over the shelter.
4. Open the bushes when a stable above-zero temperature is established.

Sage propagation methods

Salvia is easy to propagate by seed and vegetative methods:

1. Seeds. Planting in open ground is carried out in May or October. Prepare furrows 1-2 cm deep, leaving row spacing of at least 50 cm, and plant the seeds. As soon as sprouts with 2 leaves appear, the space between the rows is weeded to remove weeds. Grown seedlings are thinned out, leaving 20 cm between future bushes. Seeds planted in the fall germinate in the spring.
2. Dividing the bush. In the spring, an adult bush is dug up, divided into parts and transplanted to a new location. There should be 1–2 growth buds on the root neck of each division. A separated bush with strong roots and several healthy shoots is planted immediately. In the fall, propagating salvia by dividing the bush is dangerous - fragile divisions can freeze in winter.
3. By layering. In the process of spring care for an adult bush, several shoots are left unpruned. They are attached to the ground, sprinkled fertile soil or humus. Only the top of the branch with a few leaves is left on the surface of the ground. Water the cuttings 2-3 times a week. By autumn the shoots will take root. It is better to cut off the rooted cuttings from the mother bush and replant them in a permanent place in the spring.
4. Cuttings. Any part of a salvia shoot can be used for propagation. Cut cuttings 15 cm long are placed in water. To activate root formation, the growth stimulator “Kornevin” is added to the liquid, according to the instructions for its use. Roots appear in 10–14 days.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Collection and preparation of Salvia officinalis

Salvia officinalis begins to be harvested when the inflorescences bloom. During this period, the greatest amount of essential oil accumulates in plants. Cut the shoots at a height of 15 cm from the ground. To prevent the inflorescences from falling off when drying, you need to cut the plant when the lower flowers have already bloomed and the upper ones are still in buds.

The medicinal plant is collected during the day in dry, sunny weather. The leaves are torn off and dried in a ventilated area, spread on the surface in one layer. Stems with inflorescences are tied in bunches and hung upside down. Autumn collection begins at the end of September and lasts 2-3 weeks. By this time, the pruned bushes are renewed and bloom again.

To avoid self-seeding, you need to collect seeds from the bushes:

1. Dried inflorescences are cut off, placed in a fabric bag and hit with a rolling pin.
2. Remove the stems.
3. Using a colander with large holes, sift the contents of the bag over a basin. The pericarp remains in the sieve, and the seeds fall into the bowl.
4. Seed material is stored in fabric or paper bags until planting.
5. Pericarp is filled into gauze sachets and used to scent linen.

Collection of herbs

Diseases and pests of sage

Caring for garden sage includes protection and control of pests and plant diseases:

1. Downy mildew or downy mildew. The disease is caused by fungi of the peronosporaceae family. The disease often spreads to flowers from vegetable beds. Pathogens are activated by sudden changes in day and night temperatures. The affected leaves become covered with rusty spots, wrinkle, curl up and dry out. Treatment is spraying with a solution of a biofungicide such as Fitosporin-M (5 g/10 l of water + 20 g of liquid soap).
2. Sclerotinia or white rot. A fungal disease affects the plant when the soil is waterlogged and the bushes are thickened. Affected shoots should be pulled out and burned. Treat the remaining plants with a chemical fungicide such as Ordan, Oxyx, following the instructions for use. Folk way control - spraying with serum - effective at the initial stage.
3. Spider mite. The smallest insect feeds on plant sap. Signs of damage - the foliage and stems of the plant are covered with cobwebs. It is necessary to tear off the affected parts of the plant and burn them. Spray the flower garden with the insecticide “Kleschevin” (2 ml/1 l of water). Repeat the procedure after 2 weeks.
4. Darkling beetle larvae. Scale insects are similar to wireworms. They feed on plant roots. If salvia seedlings die, their roots are eaten away, you need to add Diazinon (15 g per 10 sq. m) to the soil.
5. Sage cutworm- a small yellow-green butterfly. The danger to the plant is its caterpillars. If the number of pests is small, they are collected manually, with mass destruction– sprayed with Lepidocide (30 g per 10 liters of water). The treatment is repeated after 7-10 days.
6. Sage weevil. Small beetles with a long “proboscis” and their larvae eat away the leaves, leaving many small holes. Treatment – ​​spraying with Actellik insecticide (2 ml per 1 liter of water).

Sage in a pot

Planting and caring for sage, its propagation in room conditions differ little from cultivation in open ground. Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method. Salvia grows well in purchased universal soil mixture. The crop has a long root, so the pot needs to be replaced with a larger one every year.

Sage on a windowsill can live for about 5 years with proper care:

1. Seeds are planted in early spring. Before sowing, they are kept for a day in damp cotton wool.
2. Cuttings are harvested from the bush throughout the entire growing season.
3. The best place for culture is the windowsill of a south or west window. The bush does not tolerate drafts. It is not advisable to move the pot with the plant to a new place.
4. Water the plant as the top layer of soil dries 3-5 cm.
5. The bush is sprayed with water from a spray bottle weekly and bathed in the shower once a month.
6. After flowering, the shoots are pruned, leaving 15 cm. This makes the bush lush.
7. During flowering, salvia is fed with complex fertilizer for flowering plants once every 2 weeks.

Video

Sage is a herbaceous plant with a delicate aroma, the leaves and flowering tops of which are traditionally used as medicinal raw materials. They contain a large number of essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, increase human performance, and also improve memory.

Has antiseptic and analgesic properties. It is often used to treat wounds, ulcers and burns. Compresses made from sage infusion relieve itching and irritation, and also promote skin regeneration.

Inhalations with essential oil and drinking sage decoction are indicated for colds, especially with damage to the upper respiratory tract. Rinsing your mouth with this decoction can relieve bleeding gums and even relieve toothache.

In addition to medicinal properties, this plant is also noted for its good decorative properties, which is why it is often grown along paths on summer cottages. For the Moscow region, both the seedling method and sowing seeds in open ground are suitable. Growing seedlings will cause more trouble than sowing in a permanent place, but in the second case there is a high probability of low seed germination.

Selection of sage seeds in stores on this moment not great. Before purchasing, you should decide on the purpose of growing this plant. There are medicinal, culinary and decorative types.

Medicinal sage is considered the most common type, so its second name is garden sage. The good cold resistance of some of its varieties, such as Tricolor and Zolotisty, guarantees the collection of high-quality medicinal raw materials already in the first year of cultivation.

Some types of sage have both healing and good taste. These include Salvia Elegant. Its leaves have a pleasant fruity smell, which makes it possible to use it for making desserts and fruit salads.

Clary sage is widely used in cooking to add the aroma of orange and bergamot to dishes. In addition, it is valued for its compact size and is often grown for decorative purposes. When purchasing clary sage seeds, you should give preference to the Crimean and Voznesensky 24 varieties.

Oak sage and Desert sage are honey plants, but in the conditions of the Moscow region their long-term cultivation is almost impossible. They cannot tolerate cold winters with little snow, and the risk of freezing is high even with winter shelter. However, the ease of planting and caring for these species allows them to be grown as annuals.

Seedling growing method

Before sowing, sage seeds undergo processing, which includes soaking the seeds to soften their thick shells and disinfection, as a preventive measure for fungal and bacterial diseases.

It is important to follow the sequence: first, the seeds are soaked in warm water for 12 hours, and only then placed for 20 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate. Treatment of dry seeds with potassium permanganate can lead to chemical burns and death of most of them. planting material. Upon completion of disinfection, the seeds are washed boiled water room temperature.

Seeds for seedlings begin to be sown in the second half of February. To do this, seedling boxes are filled 2/3 with pre-prepared loose, nutritious soil. You can prepare it yourself by mixing 2 parts turf, 1 part peat and 1 part coarse sand.

The seeds are sown at intervals of at least 3 cm, deepening them by 1.5-2 cm. Next, the soil is moistened and the boxes are covered with film. The mini-greenhouse is ventilated daily for several hours for 10-14 days until shoots appear. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed and the boxes are moved to the most illuminated place.

Picking is carried out in individual peat pots approximately 2 weeks after emergence. At this point, each plant should have at least 4 true leaves.

Water sage seedlings moderately, no more than once a week; they do not need fertilizing.

Young plants are planted in a permanent place in early May according to the 30x50 pattern.

Sowing seeds in open ground

You can sow sage seeds directly into the ground both in spring and before winter.

Sowing before winter does not imply additional preparation of planting material, as is the case with seedlings. Otherwise, the seeds will germinate prematurely and the plants will die. For the same reasons autumn planting It is not recommended to start sage before November. To prevent the seeds from freezing, they are carefully buried to 3-4 cm.

If you plan to sow the seeds in open ground in the spring, then this procedure should begin as soon as the snow melts and the ground dries slightly. For this case, it is better to germinate the seeds in advance.

Prefers neutral, nutritious soil. The area should be sufficiently well lit. If cultivation is planned in beds and not in flower beds, then the best predecessors will be potatoes, legumes and cruciferous vegetables.

The soil is prepared in the fall. To do this, dig it up and add compost or humus. Immediately before sowing, the soil is dug up again, loosened and nitrogen fertilizer is applied.

The scheme for sowing seeds is the same as for planting seedlings 30x50, low-growing varieties - 30x30. Seeds are planted to a depth of 2 cm.

If the seedlings appear before the threat of night frosts has passed, at first the bed is covered with film at night. During the day, the protective cover must be removed, otherwise the seedlings may burn in the bright spring sun and lack moisture.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

For sage, the correct watering regime is extremely important. Excess moisture can cause rotting of the root system and death of plants, and insufficient watering will make the sage leaves dry and rough. The taste and medicinal qualities of such foliage are greatly reduced. Plants should be watered regularly once every 7-10 days. Watering frequency can be reduced during cold, rainy periods and by mulching the soil surface with pine bark or straw.

Mulching will help increase the space between weeding and loosening the soil, and adds some decorative interest to sage plantings.

I feed the plants twice during the entire growing season. The first time is 2 weeks after planting seedlings or germinating seeds in open ground. By this moment, the bushes should be at least 10 cm high. For the first feeding, use a weakly concentrated aqueous solution of rotted manure, prepared in a ratio of 1/10. The second time, sage is fed with complex mineral fertilizer at the beginning of flowering.

At the end of October, sage begins to be prepared for wintering. The bushes are cut at a height of 10 cm from the root and covered with spruce branches, film and agrofibre. Some winter-hardy species It will be enough to mulch with peat or fallen leaves.

Diseases and pests

Due to the abundance of essential oils in its composition, sage itself is a natural insecticide, so pests and various diseases he is disturbed extremely rarely.

Thickened plantings and excess humidity can cause mildew. This is a fungal disease of the false powdery mildew, for the prevention of which it is recommended to spray plants with an aqueous solution of sulfur.

Among the pests that pose a danger to sage are slugs, thrips and spider mites. It is not recommended to use insecticides in the fight against them; it is better to give preference to no less effective folk remedies. Damaged plants are sprayed with infusions of garlic or onion peels with the addition of laundry soap.

Harvest and storage

In the first year of planting, sage is harvested only in late autumn. In subsequent years, 2-3 times during the growing season. The first 2 are considered suitable only for large lower leaves with cuttings of at least 2 cm, then from the entire stem.

Tender young leaves are eaten in fresh, adding to vegetable and fruit salads.

The collection of medicinal raw materials is carried out only in sunny, dry weather, closer to noon. Before starting to collect, the bushes are washed with a watering can and allowed to dry right in the garden bed. The plants are then cut with sharp pruning shears, simultaneously removing all weak and damaged stems.

The sage leaves are torn off, leaving only the inflorescence, and dried at room temperature. To do this, small bunches are formed from the inflorescences, which are hung with the flowers down, and the leaves are carefully laid out. thin layer on clean food paper.

After drying is completed, the resulting medicinal material is sorted again, removing thick twigs and stems, browned leaves and foreign impurities.

Store sage in airtight containers glass jars, as well as in fabric or paper bags. Using breathable containers has its advantages: if drying is not done thoroughly, the raw materials in it will not become moldy. However, in this case, the air in the room where the herbs are stored must be dry, and the room itself must be well ventilated. It is not recommended to store in places exposed to direct sunlight.

The shelf life of sage, if all rules are followed, is no more than 2 years.

Clary sage is a very popular crop among gardeners and summer residents. She looks very lovely. But the most important thing is that caring for sage is not difficult, and this plant can bring a lot of benefits. Clary sage has been known since ancient times, in ancient Greece- This plant has already been used for medicinal purposes. Hippocrates mentions it in his works as very useful.

There are seven hundred varieties of sage in the world, each variety has a different value. Meadow sage is common in the forest-steppe zone.

Clary sage Voznesensky 24. This is one of the artificially bred varieties that also has medicinal properties. properties and decorative qualities. The flowers are purple-pink and collected in paniculate inflorescences. Like other sages, it is drought-resistant and undemanding to the soil of its growth. It can be grown from seeds or sprouts. Better seedlings plant in early spring, but take into account the weather. Even slight frosts are destructive for small sprouts. Clary sage leaves (Voznesensky 24), collected before flowering, can be used as a seasoning. Foliage, stems and flowers, harvested during the flowering period, are used to treat joint diseases. Decoctions help with urolithiasis, tachycardia, cough.

Care

Necessary conditions for plant growth:

1. Plant in a well-lit place;
2. Sufficient amount of moisture;
3. Replant every six years;
4. Soil fertilization;
5. Prevention and protection of sage from pests and diseases;
6. Regularly remove weeds;
7. Pruning and rejuvenation of three-year-old plants.

But you need to not overdo it and provide proper care and the optimal amount of everything necessary for the plant. In the spring, you can feed the plant with a liquid solution of “Effecton-O” or “Agricola-Vegeta”. The flower is not picky about soil; it can grow in saline, dry and depleted soil. Of course, it will grow much worse on sandy or saline soil, but it will still survive. On fertile and well-moistened soils, its yield is higher, and accordingly, the mass of inflorescences is greater. Fresh inflorescences of the plant contain from 0.26% to 0.53% essential oil.

Reproduction

Planting and further care of sage do not require special education, but requires a systematic approach. Sage reproduces well by self-sowing. If you decide to take control of this process. You need to soak the seeds for 24 hours in a wet cloth in water, to speed up the process you can add a few drops of Energen.

Then dry the seeds and plant them in pots. The best soil for seeds consists of peat, humus and universal composition soil, place drainage at the bottom. Sprout no more than one growth per pot. It is necessary to provide abundant watering, but not every day. It is advisable to fertilize the soil before planting and then every other day. If we are talking about low-growing varieties, you can do it once every two days.

Landing at the dacha

After a month and a half, the sprouts need to be transplanted to the prepared place. But you definitely need to find out weather, if frosts are expected on the soil, then you should postpone replanting for a short time. The earth should be dug up approximately twenty-five cm deep and fertilized (compost fertilizer, then saltpeter and superphosphate), all weeds should be removed.

Pest and disease control

Sclerotinia is the most terrible disease of sage. In order to prevent this disease, large concentrations of plants should not be left. In addition, sometimes the leaves become covered with spots. Sage can be susceptible to powdery mildew. In order to eliminate this disease, it is necessary to treat the bush with a fungicide. You can use a simple, cheap, but proven method - treat the plant with serum. Several treatments may correct the problem. Among the pests you should be seriously wary of are the sage moth, spider mite, false wireworms, sage weevil, darkling beetles.

The root system is damaged by beetle larvae and the common mole cricket. Modern chemicals solve problems with insects. So, when pests are detected, the plant is sprayed with karbofos (0.6-1 l/ha). Control of soil-dwelling pests is carried out in advance by sowing the previous crop with seeds treated with the gamma isomer HCH or phosphamide.

Sage flowers and fruits

Clary sage blooms in summer, from 24 to 31 days. Spike-shaped inflorescences with violet-blue small flowers appear, which are fragrant and fill the space wonderful aroma. Fruiting occurs in September. The fruits are wrinkled brown nuts approximately three mm long.

Medicinal properties

Clary sage - close relative Salvia officinalis. Clary sage essential oil is extracted from the leaves and stem of the plant. In fresh inflorescences - from 0.26% to 0.32% essential oil. The oil has aphrodisiac properties, helps solve sexual problems, and increases fertility. It is used in folk medicine to solve numerous problems. For example, oil is added to a bath to treat polyarthritis, osteomyelitis, deforming arthrosis, trophic ulcers, and rheumatism. Relieves nervous tension, improves memory and stimulates brain activity, awakens intuition. Good results showed an ointment based on essential oil during the treatment of psoriatic rashes. The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of the plant are very important. Improves the functioning of the kidneys and digestive organs. Sage tincture has an anticonvulsant effect and a bactericidal effect on the intestinal flora. The oil is used in nebulizers to treat the lungs.

How to prepare correctly?

For various purposes, sage is prepared in different time– before flowering, during and after. Check before drying collected material, excessively rough lower stems and bad leaves are destroyed. It is better to dry the raw materials in the fresh air, but not in the sun. Sometimes, the leaves are dried in the oven at a temperature of 50-60 degrees. The prepared raw materials can be stored for no more than two years in a cool and dry place in glass containers.

Uses of essential nutmeg oil

Recently, oil has been obtained from clary sage flowers for the production of perfumes, liquid scented soaps and cosmetic products. Also, essential oil is added to alcoholic drinks to give pleasant aroma and a unique taste. The taste of nutmeg is used to prepare a variety of dishes as a gourmet seasoning and in confectionery.

Conclusion

Clary sage does not require special attention or special preparation; caring for it is simple and pleasant. If you comply simple rules sage and its varieties - clary sage Voznesensky 24 and sage officinalis will feel great and give good harvest both in the garden and at the dacha.

Clary sage is known for its use in cooking, perfumery and winemaking. Its leaves are used as a seasoning for various dishes and confectionery products. The essential oil extracted from the above-ground part of the crop is used as a flavoring agent for wines, liqueurs, and tobacco. If you have the opportunity to grow this beautiful plant in your garden, we offer you detailed instructions for growing clary sage, as well as rules for planting and caring for it.

Clary sage (salvia): description

Sage (lat. Salvia sclarea)– a perennial herbaceous ornamental and medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae family. The subshrub grows mainly in the tropics and subtropics around the world. On different continents About 700 of its species are widespread, two of which are considered endangered. The herb clary sage is cultivated in Europe and America. In cultivation, Salvia nutmeg is a biennial herb.

The name of the plant supposedly comes from the Latin word salvus, which means unharmed, healthy. Therefore, sometimes sage is also called the herb of health, and clary sage is called the Eye of Christ.

This subshrub grows within a meter. It blooms from early summer to September, for a month. Purple, pink or white fragrant flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences 40 cm high. Fruits in August-September. Inflorescences and leaves contain large amounts of essential oil. The taste of sage is astringent, the aroma is strong, pungent, and bitter.

Did you know? The essential oil of some types of sage is used in pharmacology - for aromatizing medicines, as an astringent, antiseptic and in folk medicine - for the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, oral cavity, digestive system, eye inflammation, and for the prevention of respiratory infections. Sage is also an aphrodisiac.

Features of growing sage in open ground, where to plant sage in the country

Clary sage is a fairly unpretentious plant to care for and does not require special conditions when planting. However, it still has preferences, the observance of which will guarantee its good growth, long flowering, resistance to diseases and pests.

Choosing a place to grow clary sage

For planting clary sage, a well-lit area (preferably on the south side) is suitable, since this culture is light-loving and belongs to plants have a long day. The grass does not like shading and thickening - in such conditions the stems grow strongly and the leaves become smaller. Besides, When growing in the shade, the plant is more susceptible to disease.

The flower is also heat-loving - an average daily temperature of +19-21 ºС will be comfortable for its development. At the same time, sage tolerates frost well - it does not die, even when the mercury column on the thermometer approaches -30 ºС. However, the planting site should be well protected from cold drafts.

Important! You should not plant clary sage in the same place for several years in a row (more than 3-4 years). The fact is that the roots of the plant release essential oils into the soil, and this leads to slow growth in subsequent crops.

Soil requirements

Sage is also unpretentious in terms of soil, but to make it even more decorative, care must be taken to ensure that the soil in which it is planted is rich, fertile, neutral or slightly acidic, with a sufficient content of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. Loose loamy and sandy loam soils are well suited.

It can survive on heavy and sandy soils, but in this case it will lose its flowering beauty. Does not like wetlands and close proximity to groundwater.

How to plant clary sage

If you are already determined to have clary sage in your garden and are thinking about how to plant it, you won’t have any difficulties here either. The plant is propagated in two ways: seed and vegetative. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Features of growing sage with seeds: when, where and how to sow salvia

Sage is mainly grown from seeds. At seed propagation Landing is possible in several ways:

• self-seeding;
• autumn sowing;
• spring planting of seedlings;
• spring seedless method.

The most optimal time for planting clary sage is autumn, then we grow it from freshly harvested seeds.

To obtain seed material, the most developed and healthy plant second year of life. When the seeds are 70-75% ripe, the inflorescences are cut off and hung under a canopy for ripening, with bedding or paper spread below. It is important not to miss the moment of seed ripening, otherwise they tend to spill out quickly. After extraction, the seeds are dried and cleaned of impurities using a sieve.

At the end of October - beginning of November, 8-10 days before sowing, the soil is dug well, removed from weeds, humus or compost (1-2 buckets / sq.m) and phosphorus-potassium mineral fertilizers (20-30 g / sq.m) are added. sq.m). Then they start sowing. Seeds are sown in holes to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. A distance of 45 cm is left between rows.

Important! The seeds should not hatch before frost, otherwise the plants will die. Therefore, it is important to guess the time of sowing - it is better to do it before the first frost.

The seeds will grow stronger in the frosty soil. With the onset of stable spring temperatures of +10-12 ºС, rapid emergence of seedlings can be expected. Thickened crops will need to be thinned out, leaving gaps of 8-10 cm.

Clary sage, in addition to growing from seeds, can be propagated using seedlings. In this case, at the end of March, the seeds are pre-soaked in warm water and germinated for several days. Then they are sown in separate pots, plastic cups or a container with a universal substrate for seedlings to a depth of 1 cm. The crops are covered with glass and placed in a warm, well-lit place. Shoots appear within a month. When the first leaves appear, the glass can be removed. Seedlings should be thinned out and hardened off. To do this, take out every day Fresh air, starting from 1-1.5 hours, gradually increasing the time the sprouts remain in the air by half an hour. At the end of May they can be planted in a permanent place in the garden. To do this, use a two-line method. Leave 15-20 cm between lines, 50-60 cm between ribbons, and 20 cm between sprouts.

When planting in spring using the seedless method, the seeds are placed in a container with wet sand (in a ratio of 1:2) 6-10 days before the expected planting day. The container is placed in wet room with a temperature of +20-25 ºС. After the white sprouts appear, they are planted in open ground to a depth of 2-4 cm. The distance between the rows is 30-45 cm. The beds are covered with film. The row spaces are periodically weeded and loosened.

Vegetative propagation method of sage: how to propagate the plant by dividing the bush

At the end of summer you can divide your sage bushes. To do this, the roots are dug up and cut off with a knife or shovel. The rhizome is treated with a fungicide. Young plants in the first year of life before in winter require shelter.

Clary sage care basics

Caring for sage is very easy. It requires only regular weeding, loosening the soil and watering during dry periods.

Watering rules

The plant requires watering only before flowering. Subsequently, it can easily tolerate short-term drought. However, if possible, the flower should be watered moderately during dry periods. Sage does not like excess moisture.

Soil care

The first loosening of row spacing is carried out in March to a depth of 8-10 cm. Subsequent ones - as necessary, when a crust forms on the soil and after watering, approximately 3-4 times a year. This procedure will improve oxygen access to the root system of the flower. The plant also likes the soil around it to be free of weeds, so it needs to be pampered with weeding from time to time. In winter, sage should be covered with spruce branches or dry leaves.

How to properly fertilize clary sage

In spring, the plant must be fed with mineral fertilizers. On square meter add 12-15 g of ammonium sulfate, 20-25 g of superphosphate, 8-10 g of potassium salt. Can be fertilized with manure.

When and how to prune a plant

Like most herbs With dense inflorescences, clary sage requires pruning. This should be done with a two-year-old plant. Cut 10-15 cm from the ground in autumn or early spring. But the pruning procedure is carried out only if the inflorescences are not cut off for drying.

Did you know? In addition to the fact that clary sage has decorative and medicinal qualities, it is also an excellent honey plant. Its honey productivity is 200-300 kg per 1 ha.

Pests and diseases of clary sage

Clary sage can be affected by white rot and powdery mildew. To prevent diseases, it is important to follow the rules of crop rotation (do not plant sunflowers next to or after them), carefully remove post-harvest residues in the fall and carry out deep digging of the soil before sowing. Treatment must be carried out with gentle folk or biological means, since application chemicals on plants eaten as food is dangerous.

The plant is also susceptible to attacks by pests: fall cutworms, sage weevils and mites. The roots are chewed by wireworms and mole crickets. The greatest damage to the flower is caused by the sage mosquito, whose vital activity can completely destroy the inflorescences, as well as the sage jay. In total, sage is affected by 40 species of insects.

To combat pests, they use the cultivation of row spacing, timely destruction of weeds, planting nearby repellent plants, and treatment with biological or insecticidal preparations.

Harvesting and storing sage

Sage leaves for food are cut off as needed, usually before flowering. The inflorescences can be cut off as soon as the plant begins to bloom. The only thing is that the bushes intended for collecting seeds are not touched. Fresh leaves are added to soups, sauces, and salads. You can brew tea from them.

If the plant is grown for the extraction of essential oil, the inflorescences are removed during the flowering period and before fruiting begins. A massive harvest can be collected only in the second year of the plant’s life. After each cutting, it is advisable to feed the sage with a solution of a mineral garden mixture.

When harvesting clary sage for future use, the leaves and inflorescences at the beginning of flowering are cut off and dried in bunches for outdoors under a canopy or in a dry, well-ventilated area at a temperature of +25-30 ºС, while avoiding direct contact sun rays. The attic is also suitable for drying; there you can dry the leaves not in a suspended state, but spread them out on paper. Dry leaves are stored in tightly closed boxes or glass jars for no longer than two years.