Mandrake, Autumn (Mandragora autumnalis), packet of 13 seeds, dried

(3 customer reviews)

$11.95

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae )

Hardy to Zones 6 to 10.

Herbaceous perennial, native to Southern Europe.  One of the most choice of all true Mandrake species.  Flowers purple to 12 inches tall, giving way to fruits of yellow and orange.  Traditional usage (TWM): fertility, aphrodisiac, a magical totem, relieve pain, promote sleep.  Source of tropane alkaloids–do not ingest.   Plant prefers alkaline pH—deep, sandy soils.  Autumnalis does fine in the dry sun to moist shade, tends to flower in the autumn as opposed to the winter-flowering types.  Flowers are amazing.   Cultivation:  soak the seeds in a jar of clear water in the fridge for a few days before planting. This reawakens them. Sow in SAND in a very warm place or sow under grow lights in the greenhouse and keep the lights on full time until the seeds sprout up through the sand, which usually only takes a week or so. Work up in pots for 2 years before transplanting outdoors.  Space plants 2 feet apart.

13 seeds/pkt, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s

In stock

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5 out of 5 stars

3 reviews

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What others are saying

  1. Elizabeth Purcell

    My baby

    Elizabeth Purcell (verified owner)

    I only had 1 out of 13 seeds sprout but I am still so happy with the product! I put the grow lights on them 24/7 and this one sprouted within 3 weeks. I gave up on the other ones to be honest.

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  2. Question

    kimtim34

    What’s the best way to use the Mandrake since you shouldn’t ingest it?

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  3. Question

    Thelma Sanchez

    Hello Mr. Richo I want to know what’s is the best way to take the seed for planting dried or undried?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Thelma, You’ll always have better luck with the fresh seeds–they are more recent and have not gained the dormancy that makes dried seeds slow to germinate. Plant them in very warm, fast-draining soil and give them plenty of light and water daily — they’ll come right up. Richo

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  4. Question

    zoe

    Hello Richo, would you have fresh seeds for the Autumnalis? Also at what time was the seed harvest? Is that true that they are harder to germinate after 6months? Thanks!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Zoe,
      Thanks for staying in touch. You truly have read my mind or seen my mandrake patch, one or the other. We do have Autumn mandrake in fruit this year and if all goes as hoped then will be offering fresh seed when it is ripe–several weeks from now (current date 11/1/2020). Seed harvest often starts in December. It is clear that the seed takes on dormancy once it dries, and may be considered “fresh” or at least “recently harvested” for a few weeks after extracting from the fruits. BUT I personally don’t think its harder to germinate them. Reason being, I soak the seeds in a jar of clear water in the fridge for a few days before planting. This reawakens them. Then, I sow in SAND under grow lights in the greenhouse and keep the lights on full time until the seeds sprout up through the sand, which usually only takes a week or so. I try not to be overly bothered by misinformation posted on the web.
      Richo

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  5. Question

    Rose

    When should you plant these seeds?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      soak seeds in clear water in fridge for a coup-le of weeks, then plant in sand under grow lights for rapid germination. Otherwise plant the entire packet in a gallon pot, put in the cool moist shade and watch for germination in ensuing cycles.

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  6. Fox

    Fox

    Plant was nice and healthy wen it arrived but went doormat quickly after been patiently awaiting its awake

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Thank you for the positive vote, it is very good juju. This review was left on the seeds and probably was meant for the potted plant. Summer dormancy is the nature of the beast, and especially so with young individuals or as a reaction to shock. Yes, probably the best approach is to plant or repot and mulch with sand. Autumn mandrake often expresses aerially earlier in the year than does the officinarum. Richo

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    • Jose Hernandez

      Are you able to plant this in pots?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Jose, Yes, mandrakes work pretty well in pots. It helps to understand that they spend about 3/4 of the year in dormancy. Richo

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