Mandrake, Turkmenian (Mandragora turcomanica), packet of 5 dried seeds, organic

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)

Hardy to Zones 6 to 10

(Turkmenian Mandrake) Perennial.  Native to the Kopet Dag mountains of Afghanistan. Extremely rare and possibly extirpated in the wild. 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, dry, in the part-shade.  The plant begins its vegetative cycle in the midwinter, flowers in the spring, fruits, and goes quickly dormant in the summer, then re-sprouts from beneath the callus in fall or spring.  Keep crowns in perfect drainage.  I plant mine in deep sand mulch on the shady side of rocks. Flower color violet.  Flower to 16 inches, giving way to green, apple-like fruits that eventually turn orange and soft before harvest.  The smell is exquisite.  This dried seed is best sown soon after receipt.  Sometimes a 3-week period of soaking in a jar of cold water in the fridge, water frequently changed, followed by sowing in sand under grow lights or in a very warm greenhouse will spur rapid germination.  The seed is stimulated by soaking in willow-tip tea or soaking overnight in a 500ppm solution of gibberellic acid. Note from 2020 planting:  Seeds soaked in willow tip water for 2 weeks in fridge, then planted in sand under lights, warm, germinated to 100% in 61 days.   Method for planting if pre-soaking or gibberellic acid are not used:  Sow seeds as soon as possible upon receipt.  Sow about 1/4 inch deep in sandy, alkaline mix in a flat or preferably in a gallon pot.  Place pot in the shadehouse or in the greenhouse in a relatively cool, shaded area.  Lacking the shadehouse or the greenhouse, you might try a sheltered spot outdoors. In this case, germination may take as long as 12 months.  Oscillating temperatures usually preferred over consistent temperatures.  Seedlings and indeed older plants rot back in summer and resprout from beneath the callus in fall or spring.   Space plants 3 feet apart

5 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown

No refunds or replacements on mandrake seed