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Do datura wrightii seeds need a cold period before sowing? I'm finding conflicting information. Should I wait and sow them in spring since I'm in a frost zone?
posted
Good question, Alan...you beat me to it. My neighbor gave me seeds the other day and I put them in an envelope and stored them in the veggie crisper of the fridge with some other seeds. I hope I'm not screwing up. lol!
* * * * Rosie z7a Plants: 745 | From: Tulsa OK | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 68.14.167.179
posted
I've been growing a couple of different types of Daturas for a few years now
They can be direct sowed after the last frost,but I prefer to start them indoors over the winter and then transplant them after the first frost. Down her,in N.E. Florida the plants are freeze hardy,if protected. I've had some make it and some not make it. Even when they didn't make it,I still got babies popping up from the previous years seeds that fell beneath the plant
As far as stratifying the seeds,or doing anything else special to them I've never done anything and they have always sprouted just fine In fact if you don't remove the seed pods from the plant before they open you will have little volunteers popping up.
Note of caution.....all parts of the plant are poisonous. Wash your hands after handling the flowers,leaves,seeds,etc because they can cause a skin irritation,if you have sensitive skin. I myself have never had a problem,but I know people who have.
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It should be noted they are also becoming quite popular for getting high (and sometimes dying) on some part of the plant...not sure which it is. Some states are starting to ban the sale of the plants\seeds.
* * * * Rosie z7a Plants: 745 | From: Tulsa OK | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 68.14.167.179
posted
There is a famous story from 1676 regarding British Soldiers and Datura.
I'll paste it here for you........
quote:In 1676, British soldiers were sent to stop the Rebellion of Bacon. Jamestown weed (Jimsonweed) was boiled for inclusion in a salad, which the soldiers readily ate. The hallucinogenic properties of jimsonweed took affect. As told by Robert Beverly in The History and Present State of Virginia (1705): The soldiers presented "a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several days: one would blow up a feather in the air; another would dart straws at it with much fury; and another, stark naked, was sitting up in a corner like a monkey, grinning and making mows at them; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more antic than any in a Dutch droll.
"In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they should, in their folly, destroy themselves - though it was observed that all their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed they were not very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after 11 days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed." Had the British not cooked the leaves,few would have survived,for the potent hallucinogens produced by "Datura" are extremely toxic
I have also read that there is a "Sacred Datura" with flowers up to 10 inches across that was/is used by the Indians of the southwest for a variety of rituals.
It's a beautiful plant that really enhances a garden. It's a shame that people have to "mistreat" it.
posted
G-mom, do you grow them under grow light indoors ot just in a sunny window? How long does it usually take for the seeds to sprout? Thanks for your help.
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G-Mom.... okay I'll do the same!!! You know we have had triple digit temps for 33 straight days do you think this plant could tolerate such temps especially in full sun? No telling next summer may be the same with this global warming
posted
I planted some of my seeds from my datura plant about 3 weeks ago and still nothing!!!! I let them dry out (since June). Are the seeds still too young?
* * * * Monica
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."
God gave us memories so we can have roses in the winter. Plants: 304 | From: Beaufort, SC | Registered: Jul 2006
| Seeded: 64.203.199.254
posted
Just as a warning, my friend has several tree daturas (brugmansia, I think). She brings them inside over the winter and prunes them back really well first. This past fall, when she was bringing them in, some of the juice from the tree got in her eye while pruning. Her pupil completely dialated, so that there was no iris showing, and stayed like that for about three days. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen, and she also said she felt very strange for awhile...like she was woozy. Be very careful around these plants....they are beautiful, but are also very dangerous. Always wear eye protection and gloves when messing with them.
Be safe! Melinda
Plants: 32 | From: WV | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 71.64.8.154
quote:Originally posted by mhuff: Just as a warning, my friend has several tree daturas (brugmansia, I think). She brings them inside over the winter and prunes them back really well first. This past fall, when she was bringing them in, some of the juice from the tree got in her eye while pruning. Her pupil completely dialated, so that there was no iris showing, and stayed like that for about three days. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen, and she also said she felt very strange for awhile...like she was woozy. Be very careful around these plants....they are beautiful, but are also very dangerous. Always wear eye protection and gloves when messing with them.
Be safe! Melinda
Thanks Melinda!! every bit of information helps I appreciate it!!
posted
I just bought a tree datura and need hints on overwintering it indoors as I live in northern NY any help would be appreciated. I grow what my mom called "angel trumpets" or thorn apples with no problem (except they are very prlific and in spring I have to weed them out, I have LOTS of seed if anyone wants it. Thanks
posted
Lulusmom, What we do with my friends tree is just cut it back so it will fit through the door, and put it near a window that gets a little sun (east, I think but not sure). The leaves will be small and a little pale, but when you bring it back out in the spring, it will be fine. Hers are in bloom right now and smell wonderful. She has also kept them in her basement which gets minimal light, and when she puts them out they do fine. The only problem is that its pot is so big now that it takes several of us to move it. Hope this helps! Mleinda
Plants: 32 | From: WV | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 71.64.8.154
posted
These are beautiful plants an they are very toxic. I just throw the seeds around in the garden and get good results. My only problem is that the leaves turn yellow after blooming. Any hints??
Plants: 2 | From: Houston, TX usa | Registered: Jan 2006
| Seeded: 67.10.211.4
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My neighbor gave me seeds the other day and I put them in an envelope and stored them in the veggie crisper of the fridge with some other seeds. I hope I'm not screwing up. lol!
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Printer-friendly view of this garden