Growing Sida Cordifolia and Sida Rhombifolia

Recently we have planted out a stock of both S. Rhombifolia and S. Cordifolia, both of which are extremely weedy and must be grown with the utmost respect for your local eco-system in regards to stopping the seed from spreading, however in saying this if you live in Australia as i do then there is Sida Growing EVERYWHERE that is sunny.

Ok so before i get into our personal experience growing Sida i will run through some resources for you to find out key information about both plants

Sida Cordifolia
Wikipedia
Botanical Online
Erowid - Ephedrine Vault

Sida Rhombifolia
Wikipedia
PlantNET

Germination

We haven't read any guides as to the germination of Sida but based on its incredible germination rates in the wild we have tried to keep it simple. Placing a few seeds around 1cm under the soil and covering them we have then sprinkled a few on the surface on the other side and patted them all down. The test will be which batch takes the best. I am assuming that all seeds will grow eventually but as with most weed species seeds can be temperamental and take extended periods of time.

Fresh Sida rhombifolia Seedlings should emerge within 5-14 days. We have had quite low initial germ rates but expect more to come up over time as with many weedy species. We have only had 1 come through so far but are noticing others starting to emerge !

Growth Rates


Habitat



Still too come...

Growth Rates and General usage info from someone fortunate enough to live where ephedrine is a legal drug.

Catha Edulis Red

Having grown just about all of the Catha Edulis varieties available i still have a fondness for C. Edulis Red. The glossy deep red coloring of new growth is truly incredible.

SWIM is currently attempting to take some Catha Edulis Red Cuttings and has just set them up in a sandy mix with cut in half coke bottles as humidity domes. The most frequently used method for reproducing catha edulis is seed or through suckers. Suckers can be formed from a Khat plant by placing a rock over a branch to hold it into the ground. 2 weeks to a month later it should have rooted and will begin throwing suckers, you can also just uproot this initial plant cutting its connection to the old root system.

Note: our cuttings in the coke bottles ALL took within 2 weeks and threw new leaves :)

The primary active active chemicals in khat are Cathine and Cathinone. it is reccomended that the plant material is chewed fresh.

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Psychotria Alba

Having grown my Psychotria Alba for just over two years now you could say i have developed quite an attachment to the plant. They are a beautiful plant with the glossy rippled leaves of all in the Rubiaceae Family. Loves consistent watering but doesn't like to be soaking wet all the time. 

The Alba is reputed to have roughly half the DMT of its more frequently used counterpart Psychotria 

Viridis. However its growth rates are more than double of the viridis. I also find alba to be much less 

prone to infestations of mealy bugs and other insects by comparison. Which can make it a more 

consistent option for Ayahuasca brews

Fruiting in the Late Summer p. alba gets beautiful clusters of small white flowers which eventually

 turn into fruit after a few weeks. Seeds of Psychotria should be harvested just before splitting 

their pods and spilling to maximize viability of collected stock

Cultivation can be made by many different means including seed, Standard cutting and leaf 

cutting. We find that Psychotria Alba acutally takes quite well from any form and they are purely 

down to your circumstances as to which is better.

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Salvia Officinalis Germination and Growth

Introduction

Commonly referred to as Sage, Garden Sage or Kitchen Sage. Salvia Officinalis is used widely around the world as a cooking herb but is also believed to have some effect in countering Alzheimer's. We have accidentally planted our stock in the wrong season and are noting extremely slow but consistent growth. Even from the first set of real leaves the scent is extremely strong and could easily be used as a wonderful perfume.

Roughly 1 Month from Germination

On day 11 we have seen a 85% Germination rate. They are planted in a regular free draining potting mix, that was mixed with some mulch, in communal pots and were potted out after 26 days into individual pots to allow stronger growth. The plants have a wonderful scent already and when repotting it could be smelt all around the yard and even throughout the house.

Salvia Officinalis Seedlings
In communal Pots at 3 weeks
From Germination

Salvia Officinalis Seedling at
around 1 month from Germination

Common Australian Entheogens

The purpose of this post is to give Australians a basic list of common Psychoactive / Entheogenic plants as well as having the comments section for you to list any additions or changes that should be made to the list. Australia has an abundance of plants with uses in both medicinal and shamanic practices there are many native and introduced species that can be used for a range of ailments or visionary experiences. Over time i will add descriptions to each plant but for now i will just link them to their wikipedia pages for any of you wanting to know more !


This list is largely of plants you may be likely to encounter whilst travveling in your local area, either natives or established exotics / weeds.


While this list is primitive at present i felt only listing the core plants would suffice for now and a bit further down the track i can edit more in. Please feel free to make suggestions. We will be starting a Common Australian Medicinal Plants post shortly as well for those looking for natural alternatives to prescribed medicine.<br /><br />


Acacia 
Local Species - 40 + Proven active Acacia
Contains - DMT + similar 
Legality - ILLEGAL to cultivate DMT containing plants


Brugmansia 


Datura - 

Active Species -  D. Inoxia & D. Stramonium

Contains - Tropane Alkaloids

Legality - 

Duboisia - Pituri

Active Species -  D. Hopwoodii

Contains - Nicotine 

Legality - Unconfirmed

Nicotiana - Tobacco

Active Species -  N. 

Contains - 

Legality - 

Phalaris -  

Active Species -  P. aquatica, P. arundinacea, P. brachystachys

Contains - DMT + similar

Legality - ILLEGAL to cultivate DMT containing plants

Solanum 

Local Species - View This Link 

Contains - Tropane Alkaloids

Legality - Mixed

Tabernaemontana 

Local Species - T. Orientalis

Contains - Ibogaine, Voacangine

Legality - Legal to Grow

Trachelospermum  

Local Species - T. Jasminoides (Chinese Star Jasmine) 

Contains - ibogaine, tabernaemontanine, vobasine (0.04% total

Legality - Legal to Grow and a common houseplant

Citrullus lanatus var "caffer" propagation from seed

Introduction

After having recently recieved some Citrullus Lanatus (watermelon) seeds through a trade we decided to give it a go getting some growing. We have had pretty good germination rates so far. This post will be updated at various intervals in the life of the plants to offer info on a variety of aspects of growth from seedling through to fruiting.

Day 9 (04/04/2011)  -  4/8 Seedlings have emerged

On day nine we have seen the emergence of 4 healthy seedlings. They are planted in a regular free draining potting mix in communal pots and will be potted out into individual pots in a week or two. We would expect more of the seedlings to have come up by then as well. We had them in a shaded area and noted that they were stretching for the sun so have since been moved to a slightly sunnier area.

Citrullus Lanatus "caffer" Seedling
Close up

Citrullus seedlings stretching
For the sun

Day 33 (28/04/2011) - Starting to get their real Leaves


Growth has slowed pretty dramatically as we have recently entered into the colder months which are clearly not ideal for these plants. However the plants are still continuing to throw steady new growth and will be potted out mid next month to allow them to truly flourish and develop a sturdy root system.

Citrillus Lanatus "Caffer" #1

Citrillus Lanatus "Caffer" #2