GROW GUIDE:
DATURAS Nightshade family (Solanaceae)

Datura D. metel. Double flowered purple
Generally like sun and fertile, well-drained soil

An annual or sometimes perennial herb, 4 to 5 feet tall, with ovate 7 to 8 inch leaves. The flower is 7 inches long, white inside, violet and yellowish outside, with a purple calyx. The fruit is a 1.25 inch diameter spiny capsule. Native to India and naturalized in the tropics of both hemispheres.

This genus has 15 to 20 species ranging from annual and perennial herbs to shrubs and trees, with trumpet-shaped flowers. All of these are hallucinogenic.

Cultivation and Propagation: Daturas are generally grown from seeds in early spring. They should be started in flats indoors in the North, or where they are to stand in warmer areas. Allow up to 30days for sprouts to emerge (usually 90%+ germination rates). Bottom heat will speed germination process. Seeds are sown in the open in May, 3 feet apart, barely covered. Sow thinly, as the plants attain a good size and grow freely from seed. Thin out the young plants to a distance of 12 to 15 inches between each plant. The soil should be kept free from weeds in the early stages, but the plants are so strong that they need little care later. If the summer is hot and dry, give a mulching of rotted cow-manure.

The perennial kinds usually rise from thick tuberous roots. In the North these may be dug in autumn and stored in semi-dry peat moss, sawdust, or sand in a cool place until spring. These Daturas generally prefer loose, sandy soils, somewhat on the dry side, and a sunny location. Will grow fine in well drained garden soil. Some fertilizing in warm climates is preferred. If they need water they show it with withering leaves. Once watered the leaves will usually look healthy again in less than an hour. In Florida they grow like weeds since they love the humid climate and sandy soil.

Harvesting: The leaves and tops are preferably harvested when the plants are in full bloom, but they may be gathered at any time from the appearance of flowers until frost. They should be stripped from the stem and dried as quickly as possible. Fresh leaves have a fetid odor, which is lost on drying. Seeds harvested for growing purposes should be gathered by collecting capsules that are just opening, removing the seeds and drying in the sun.

Note: A buyer of these seeds was wondering about starting methods, so I'll share the email reply below. The Datura seeds are viable and should be planted within 6 months.

Email reply in regard to seeds starting methods: I personally stay away from the moist paper towel method...especially these seeds (they take up to 30 days to germinate). Seed starting soil is great, but what I use is potting soil with a little extra perlite added in (2cups per 5gal of soil or at a rate 9-parts potting mix to 1-part perlite). Only issue I've had with seed starting soil is how fast it dries out, but you can get around this by using a humidity dome. Humidity dome method with seed starting soil is top choice. In the past I've made humidity domes from store bought roasted chicken packaging (you know how they come in a plastic container)...you can make use of anything that has deep tray and clear plastic/glass dome. For bottom heat you can even use an electric heat pad (small type used for muscle aces is good). Be creative it's like inventing a new gardening concept.

Tips: Daturas don't require often fertilization, but as they become established a balanced fertilizer is okay. The flowers usually last just a few days - up to a week. If the spent flowers have self fertilized you’ll have a seed capsule growing soon after. Happy Growing!!!

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