Before I moved to an unsuitable region, one of my main botanical focuses were nightshades, Brugmansias and Datura in particular. Interestingly, Brugmansias (Angels Trumpet) are also one of Bodhi’s main focuses outside of cannabis. I think that speaks to their magic and spiritual value. They are the most… magical and captivating plant. Their powerfully sweet scent is intoxicating and narcotic; It makes you dizzy and takes ahold of you, in a violent and sensual way.
Anyway, I’m a member of their international growing association, and plan to be for life, and that lets me draw quarterly seeds, but I am unable to grow them here.
So, what I’d like, and I know it’s a big ask, is to see if anyone TL2 or 3 in a non-arid zone 8b (9+ is best) or higher would be interested in growing these out to have some ornamental plants on their property. I’d supply you with probably 20 or so seeds of different named cultivars and would walk you through germination (it can be tricky) and growth. I could even throw in some supplies if needed. The TL status is just so it’s a regular because it’d be cool for me to see them grow; I don’t actually care about the status literally. It’s an otherworldly plant and it’s immensely enjoyable to grow and be around and even consume if done properly.
Yeah, it’s just too difficult and impractical to grow them in those zones. The amount of dedication it takes to fight nature in that level, whether it’s moving containers in and out during winter or putting heated domes over them if they’re in the ground, is insane. Even at 8b there were times where I got frustrated during unusual or prolonged freezes.
Super cool, I wish I lived somewhere warmer. I’ve wanted to grow Datura for awhile now but I can’t justify the space or effort needed to keep it indoors
If you’ve got any left I’d love to try growing these! I’m in zone 8b, and I work on a farm with a greenhouse so I think they should be ok growing here. Would be happy to trade you some other fun seeds in exchange
I have over 10 Brugmansias in my living collection of “Foods of the Gods” as they have been used for centuries for divination rituals by so many cultures due to the high alkaloid content of the plant.
The first I grew from one of a pile of brug-sticks mailed to a friend from somewhere in South America in the early 2000’s. I traded him a rooted Salvia Divinorum cutting for one of the branches. I stuck in in soil, babied it and it did what it does well: Thrive!
It grew tall, produces yellow flowers and in the 20 years it’s been under my care it has had many children as cuttings; most of them given away to loved ones. I was gifted a pink blooming variety by my 80 year old neighbour who couldn’t care for it anymore due to physical limitations, and I eventually found a Snowbank variety which has beautifully variegated leaves with yellow blossoms. I also grow seasonally Datura Metal (purple/white), and the white and pink variety.
I love placing my brugs over my datura, so one flower bowing to the Earth looks down over the smaller Daturas, while their flowers stare up at their big sisters and beyond into the Heavens.
People pause walking by the house because of the smell of 1ft long flowers everywhere ;D
I have been questing forever for the white/blue or white/purple variety of Brugs! There is one full tree in a privately owned greenhouse and every-time I go I never find a horticulturalist willing to give me a cutting.
I’m zone 6b in Canada so these babies live indoors from Mid Oct through early May. It’s not your requested zone, I would love to be involved if you’re willing. ;D
Wow, those are so cool. I hadn’t heard of them. I grew up in the southeast but hadn’t seen those I don’t believe. I’m in 6a or6b I think. I’m at 6’400ft elevation, too. I do keep plants going inside all winter. I have some flowers and tomatoes, and herbs. They’ll all go outside soon. Our issue, besides early freezes, is a really low humidity.
I’d be interested in a few seeds to try if you’re willing. I could get it going and once it starts getting large maybe find it a permanent home. I believe the small college here has a greenhouse on campus. Not sure how it’s managed, either, but I could find out.
I could also maybe find one of the commercial weed growers that would let it live inside their grow ops during winter… lots of ideas. I bet I could pull it off. I know lots of farmers and greenhouse growers, too. I’m TL4 and live alone and pretty much just fool with plants these days. I haven’t been working but may find something this year to get back into it. I’m 65 so I’m not gonna do any jobs that tie up too much of my time. Thanks for the thread, it’s really interesting. peace
Sending you a PM soon! They’re usually pretty happy in 8b. You usually only need to throw a bed sheet over them during freezes, unless it’s particularly hard.
I’m going to be sending the first quarters seeds to @thecurtainwith, but I’d love to send you my next quarters seeds. I strongly recommend joining the Brugmansia International Growers Association, though. You pay 15 dollars a year and are entitled to draw about 20 or so different Brugmansia seeds every three months from their seed bank. They’re all named crosses, too. You also get a pack of datura seeds, pollen, and a bonus, non-nightshade seed pack. They have a magazine called The Herald, and their forum is quite active and the people involved are intensely passionate about brugmansias. Also, there are about half a dozen Facebook groups dedicated to the buying, selling, trading, and sharing of Brugmansia cuttings. A couple of which are in Canada.
Here’s their website:
If you’re looking for a specific cultivar or color or style, these people will get you what you need I love them and their passion for the plant.
Datura can grow in the freezing cold. Datura is a weird one that I think grows in all 50 states. Even short growing seasons can grow some decently sized daturas.
Also, if you want, I can send you large amounts datura stramonium seeds if you wanted to start guerrilla planting them outdoors around you. I like guerrilla planting datura, and it’s native virtually everywhere, so it’s not like you’re not destroying ecosystems.
They’re amazing plants! @thecurtainwith got the first batch, but I’m going to keep drawing them every quarter and will continue to give them away when I draw them. I’ll make sure I get you some, some way, some how. I’ve also got lots of datura seeds left.
I’ll be starting a dedicated nightshade/Brugmansia/datura topic soon. These plants really are special.
@Eudaemon , thank you so much for the information with links! I’ll look into this and see how it goes. Give me a PM when your second quarterly happens and I can confirm if I’m already on the bandwagon or would gratefully need the seeds.
One of my neighbors grows “moon flowers” and he labels them… Datura innoxia. I noticed one day and was quite suprised.
Around ann arbor I’ve spotted them growing in a few of the alleys that are getting overgrown. I figure from college kids over the years experimenting. Next fall I’ll go look for some spikey pods for anyone that wants them.
Would you like the pollen from this order? I’ve got three vials of it. Two are pink/red crosses and one is yellow. That’s how I always select my quarterly seeds and pollen, but for next order, I’ll ask you first. They do have blueish/purple crosses. I’ve never been interested because I’ve been so obsessively focused on getting a red/pink one. It’s been driving me to madness. I’m almost glad I can’t grow them anymore. My last property was turning into a farm of them in my pursuit for a seed grown red one.
@MotherTeresa I’ll add you to the list on one of my future draws. I’ll make sure I keep doing them regularly.
With the projects i already have going I think I should hold off on the pollen for now but thank you most kindly! I appreciate you asking about the blue/purple crosses for the future.
I love them and their passion for the plant.
Give me a PM when your second quarterly happens and I can confirm if I’m already on the bandwagon or would gratefully need the seeds.
