Salvia hispanica - Chia blooms in the late spring and early summer from the spikes of small blue, purple, or white tube-shaped flowers...
Salvia hispanica, also called as Chia, Kiosmina hispanica, Salvia chia, Salvia prysmatica, Salvia schiedeana, Salvia tetragona, is a species of the genus Salvia. This species was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
IDENTIFY SALVIA HISPANICA - CHIA
Salvia hispanica is native from Mexico to Ecuador. In the natural habitat, it is found growing in moist or dry thickets or open, often rocky slopes or fields, sometimes on sandbars along streams, often a weed in cultivated or waste ground, sometimes in open oak forest at elevations of 1150 - 2500 meters above sea level.
It is a stout, simple or sparsely branched, erect annual herbaceous plant which can reach nearly 1 meter in height with the lime-green leaves. The leaves are 4 to 8 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide, oppositely arranged and have serrated (toothed) margins.
Chia plant blooms in the late spring and early summer from the spikes of small blue, purple, or white tube-shaped flowers that have a high rate of self-pollination. The small oval seeds are about 1 mm (0.04 inch) in diameter and feature a shiny, mottled, or speckled seed coat that ranges in colour from dark brown to gray-white. The seeds produce a mucilaginous gel when soaked in water.
This species is grown commercially for its seed, a food rich in omega-3 fatty acids since the seeds yield 25-30% extractable oil, including α-linolenic acid. Typical composition of the fat of the oil is 55% ω-3, 18% ω-6, 6% ω-9, and 10% saturated fat.
SALVIA HISPANICA - CHIA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Salvia hispanica require full sun, which is generally defined as a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. It is originally a short-day flowering species, , meaning that it needs long nights to produce flowers, then seeds (less than 12.5 h light). Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.
Temperature:
Chia can grow in USDA zone 5-10. It grows best at the temperature of 16 - 19 °C. Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to an open environment with good air movement. Plan ahead on this step because the plant grow very fast coming out of dormancy and can get leggy very quickly if grown too warm.
Substrate and growing media:
Salvia hispanica can be grow in containers but grow best in garden beds. They don't need rich soil, but they must have good drainage. In pots, a mixture of ordinary garden soil mixed with perlite allows water to drain rapidly. The soil pH should be 5.8 - 6.2.
When planting in garden, prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible. The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the container the plant is in. Remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Carefully fill in around the plant and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.
Watering:
Chia are very drought tolerant and will do better in drier soil than overly moist soil. Lightly water when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing. The plants requires average amounts of irrigation, and overly wet conditions will promote tall, leggy growth.
Fertilizer:
Salvia hispanica are light feeders and only occasionally need fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring, after new growth appears, can be sufficient. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release, as higher rates may encourage root rots.
Pruning:
Trimming and pinching can be done early when a fall planting is done. Pinching 2 to 4 weeks after transplant in the fall can assist in building a plant that has a thicker form and also give you more flowers spikes per pot. Trimming is not recommended when forcing plants in the spring or on plants that have been freshly planted in the spring from cooled liners.
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage flowering and prevent seed development. Pinching the growing tips of plants can encourage bushiness.
Mulching:
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
Mulches help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
Pests and diseases:
The most common insect problem to watch for is the two-spotted Spider Mite. A routine scouting program is recommended to ensure that Whiteflies, Aphids and other greenhouse pests don’t harm the plant as well. Foliar diseases should also be scouted to prevent Botrytis and Crown Rots.
Propagation:
Chia is usually propagated by seeds. Sow the seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 15-21 days at 21-24 °C. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide the temperature of 16-19 °C and plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions. If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots. Before planting in the garden, accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
The plants can also propagated by cuttings. Take cuttings in August or September, from vegetative (non-flowering) branches that are about 3 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and trim each cutting just below a node. You can either start propagating by placing them in water or by putting them in soil. If you opt for cutting propagation in water, just put the cuttings in a vase and add a few inches of water. When rooting cuttings in soil, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then plant it in moist potting medium. One good medium to try is a 70/30 mix of perlite/vermiculite and potting soil. After three weeks, cuttings should be ready to pot on.
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