More and more people are becoming interested in growing their own kratom because it can be cheaper. Plus, you do not have to worry about kratom supply or legal issues when you know how to grow it on your own.
The kratom plant, Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree that can grow quite large. In fact, some are 100 feet tall! However, you do not need to have that amount of space to grow some kratom for personal use. You do have to know how to care for a kratom plant in order to make it successful.
Kratom From Seed: Quick And Easy Steps
There are only four steps to growing kratom using seeds. Once you acquire the seeds (learn how to find the best seeds later in the video), then you need to propagate them. From there, you have to germinate and cultivate before, finally, harvesting the leaves for consumption.
Step 1: Propagation Of Kratom Seeds
Propagation can increase the yield and success rate of your kratom seeds, so you do not want to skip this step. It is an easy step that only takes a day or two. All you need to do is to soak your kratom seeds in water for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours.
When the kratom seeds are soaked for a prolonged period of time, they will absorb the water. This can help to start off the germination process and makes it more likely that they will successfully germinate and sprout.
After 24 to 48 hours in the water, take the kratom seeds and place them onto a tray in the warm sunlight. Spray them occasionally to keep them damp. Then, cover them with an inch of course.
Step 2: Germination
For germination, you will want to keep the soil moist and in the sunlight. Kratom plants thrive with humidity and warmth, even when they are at their early stages in the growth cycle. It can take a few weeks or even a couple of months for kratom seeds to germinate, but you should get a 10 to 20 percent sprout rate. Make sure to use standard potting soil and maintain humidity and dampness.
If you live in a very hot climate, then they may do best in partial shade. The optimal temperature is between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is okay for it to get hotter than this for short periods.
The most important thing, though, is that you do not let the seeds dry out. You should never soak the soil, but it should always remain moist. You can use natural sunlight or artificial lighting and shoot for 70 to 75 percent humidity.
Step 3: Cultivation
Taking care of a kratom plant is not hard, but it does require maintenance and proper cultivation techniques. You also need to make sure that the environment is suitable for the kratom plant. After the seeds are germinated and sprouting, you have to decide whether you want to plant them outside or inside.
A home garden can be a good place to grow kratom as long as the climate remains moderately warm. In addition, you need partial sunlight. You will still have to supplement your soil with gardening or vegetable fertilizer. If you are planning on using the kratom yourself, then make sure that you use a fertilizer that is safe. The most important thing is to provide plenty of nitrogen and keep the pH level between 5.5 to 6.5.
Since kratom needs a fairly specific environment to grow properly, many people choose to grow it inside. It will require a large pot and you need to expect them to grow quite large, up to 20 feet, in the first couple of years. Growing kratom in a pot can give you more control over nutrient consumption and drainage. You will also have to use hydroponic lights that mimic natural sunlight.
When you water your kratom plants, you never want to soak the soil. Instead, try to maintain dampness at all times. While it is hard to over-water kratom plants, it is not best for the health of the plant to provide too much moisture. Once the plants get bigger, you may have to water them at least once each day.
If your kratom plant is attracting bugs, then you may have to use pesticides. However, make sure that you use one that is safe for consumption if you do plan on taking the kratom at some point after harvest. Many kratom enthusiasts recommend neem oil.
You may also want to do some occasional pruning to allow space for the leaves to grow large and for the sunlight or artificial light to hit the entire plant. This does not need to be done too often, but a couple of times a year can increase the productivity of the plant.
It will only take about 6 to 9 months for the kratom plants to grow large enough leaves for harvesting.. But how do you know how to harvest the plant without damaging its future yields or health?
Step 4: Harvesting Kratom plants
Kratom is typically harvested in the Fall. However, you can begin to harvest as soon as the leaves reach full maturity. They may even begin to fall off of the plant without assistance. Make sure that you pick them an inch or two away from the main stalk.
It is important to note that you should not allow the kratom plant to flower. This is because the leaves are healthiest before the plant begins to flower. After you detach the leaves, you need to wash them thoroughly under running water. This ensures that dirt and other debris are removed and could also remove some of the pesticides, even if it is one that is safe for consumption.
Now, you have to dry the leaves. Many people choose to hang the leaves on racks. Then, you can place this out into the sunlight. This is the part of the growing and harvesting process where you can determine the color of the veins, which determines the effects.
Some people find that their young kratom plants tend to have characteristics of white strains, like White Maeng Da. Mature leaves are more likely to have the impact of strong reds, like Red Sulawesi. However, you may also find seeds that are labeled as a specific strain. This is because that is the strain where the seeds originated. Still, the care that goes into it will determine the range of effects even though the strain will make it more likely to develop certain features.
After harvesting the leaves, you can crush them to make tea or grind them up to make powder for toss-and-wash or capsules. The powder works best when it is ground into very fine grains, which may require you to use an industrial grinder.
How to Find the Best Kratom Seeds
The most important thing to keep in mind is freshness. If you are purchasing your seeds online, make sure that you find a vendor that will ship them immediately using a fast delivery service. The fresher they are, the more likely they will sprout and grow.
There are more and more kratom seed vendors around the U.S. This can help to ensure that the seeds you receive are fresh and healthy. You may also want to find a vendor that guarantees that a certain percentage will sprout or your money will be returned.
Typically, during the germination period, you want to place 5 to 10 seeds in each plot or pot. This should grow into one or two sprouts if the seeds are fresh. If you can, try to find a vendor that sells the entire pod of seeds because it will be more likely to be fresh and also provides you with a lot of seeds at once.
Final Thoughts
Growing kratom can be hard, especially if you live in a cold climate. However, many people do find success. The most important thing is to properly germinate the seeds and then provide them with sufficient sunlight and humidity. Then, when you harvest you may find that your own kratom is potent and free as long as you provide adequate care for your plant.
