Datura metel THORNAPPLE (10 seeds)

Thorn apple or Datura metel, is an annual herb belonging to the large Solanaceae family. It is likely native to northern India and is now found throughout Southeast Asia.

Its leaves are distinguished by their vigorous appearance and upright habit. Oval in shape, they are wide and can reach over 20 cm in length. Their color is a deep green, often tinged with dark reflections. To the touch, they reveal a supple, sometimes slightly downy texture, and emit a strong, acrid odor when crushed.

The flowering is a spectacle of both finesse and giantism. The flowers appear as large funnel-shaped corollas, pointing toward the sky, measuring up to 15 cm long. Pure and immaculate white, they end in five slender points giving them an elegant star-like appearance. Particularly fragrant at nightfall to attract pollinating hawkmoths, these ephemeral flowers generally last only one day before giving way to a prickly capsule containing the seeds.

The seeds develop inside a characteristic fruit: a globular capsule covered with short, blunt spines (unlike Datura stramonium, whose spines are very sharp). At maturity, this capsule turns brown, becomes woody, and opens irregularly to release a large quantity of seeds.

Thorn apple seeds measure about 3 to 5 mm and are kidney-shaped. Their color varies from yellowish-brown to dark brown, with a slightly rough or pitted surface texture. They are extremely hardy and can remain dormant in the soil for several years waiting for favorable conditions.

It is crucial to remember that these seeds contain the highest concentration of tropane alkaloids (scopolamine and atropine) in the plant, making them extremely toxic, or even fatal, if ingested.

- Uses:

It offers spectacular trumpet-shaped blooms suitable for exotic beds and gardens. Highly prized by lovers of rare and original plants, this species stands out for its sculptural silhouette. Its flowers, with their sweet and bewitching fragrance, attract moths.

Fast-growing and heat-tolerant, thorn apple gives a tropical look to your exterior. It can be grown as an annual or in a pot to be brought indoors in winter.

All parts of this herb are highly toxic. Do not consume, do not ingest. Keep away from children and pets.

In traditional ethnobotanical uses, the plant has been used in rites and ceremonies. It is linked to ancient traditions and is of great importance in ethnic medicine.

- Sowing and Germination:

• The ideal period to sow thorn apple starts in February/March because they require a cold period to germinate properly.
• Begin by stratifying the seeds naturally at the start of the year or artificially for at least 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
• Then, sow them in a tray of fine potting soil.
• Cover the seeds with 2 millimeters of horticultural soil. Water with a sprayer.
• Finally, leave the culture in a warm place like a greenhouse.
• The temperature should not fall below 25°C.
• Germination of Datura metel will begin 4 to 6 weeks after stratification.

- Soil Type:

It enjoys a rich, deep, and especially well-drained substrate. A mixture of 70% garden soil, 20% horticultural soil, and 10% sand helps avoid water stagnation at the roots, which could cause rot.

- Exposure:

Datura metel loves full sun and requires maximum light to develop correctly. A warm location sheltered from the wind is ideal, as its large leaves and trumpet flowers are sensitive to violent drafts. Indoors or in a greenhouse, it should be placed behind a very sunny window.

- Cultivation Temperature:

Native to tropical zones, this species fears frost and does not survive sub-zero temperatures. The ideal growth temperature is between 18°C and 25°C. Below 10°C, growth stagnates. In temperate regions, it is often grown as an annual or brought under shelter during winter.

- Watering:

Its water needs are significant, particularly during the flowering period and during high summer heat. The soil should remain fresh but never waterlogged. It is advisable to water regularly as soon as the soil surface becomes dry, while taking care not to wet the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.