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Mitragyna speciosa forms a single or sometimes split further up trunk with an unmbrella crown shape. As long as there is light, lower portions pof the tree will continue to grow new stems, which may be an adaptation to a life living in flooded rivers for extended periods.

The Leaf - Back To Top

The Stem - Back To Top

The Flower - Back To Top

The Fruit - Back To Top

The Seed - Back To Top

3. Cultivation - Back To Top

Preferred Climate - Back To Top

Kratom is a tropical tree from SE Asia, and thus prefers hot humid tropical weather. Mitragyna speciosa has been grown worldwide in palces cooler than its native home. One man reported a plant surviving -7C one night growing near a wall in southern USA. Leaf drop and slight die back was the result, but a living plant it still was. Ideally they want 20-40C and humid air with slightly moist feet. They withstand severe flooding, but in ground plants can take some drought as well. They are OK down to 5C for periods, below that they start to grow very poorly.

Flowering and Fruiting Season - Back To Top

We have observed this to take place in the summer months in Thailand. Other Mitragyna species in SE Asia we also saw flowerig in August. In Taiwan, our own trees have not yet flowered.

Temperature - Back To Top

The lowest we have heard of is -7C at night, though the tree lost its leaves and some branches die back. Ideally never below 5C, preferably always between 20-40C.

Water - Back To Top

Mitragyna speciosa is a floodplain specialist, it lives in meters of water for months on end. Potted plants with poor soil may suffer from root problems if always waterlogged, but in ground plants are probably literally impossible to over water. They cannot take true dry, potted plants will suffer the most in hot times. In ground plants that are established for a year, can probably reach down deep enough for water. We have not watered our in ground trees since 2010 in Taiwan.

Light - Back To Top

Full sun, or as close to it as you can. They like river edges and similar open forests.

Nutrition - Back To Top

They will certainly benefit from a fertilizer. we find that adding compost around plants in the ground is perfectly suitable and have not yet noticed any signs of deficiency. POtted plants would benefit from stronger liquid solutions when the trees are larger.

Pruning - Back To Top

Kratom does not require pruning, as it makes a lovely shped crown natally in the open. Branches can be pruned at any place, many new ones will emerge following the cut if conditions are favorable.

Propagation Methods - Back To Top

Seeds are often sown fresh, with varying degrees of viability. Sometime sseed pods have great germination while others have very poor. This experience is from commercially sold seeds, not fresh collected seeds. Seeds are sown on a sandy/peat type soil. We use 30/70 sand/coco coir (powder not stringy stuff). Make the soil very moist and let drain for an hour. surface sow the small kratom seeds and place somewhere with very high humidity. Most peopel require a humidty dome, but if you live in the tropics, the rainy season is probably humid enough outside. Avoid any direct sun, but keep well lit. Seedlings often start to die off and wilt. I am not positive why, but i suspect it is root rot or something similar. Try avoiding soils that favor fungus, and perhaps a very weak solution of fungicide may help.

Cuttings are also very easy to take with kratom, though some peopel report either great or bad results. Good light, high heat and humidity are essential. We usualyl jsut use standing water, nothing fancy. We keep them under 24" fluorescent bulbs. Place cuts of about 3-5 nodes with lower leaves removed into a bottle of water. A dark bottle that doesnt let much light through is best. Place them under the lights, and roots often occur within a month.

4. Other Related Topics - Back To Top

Uses of - Back To Top

Kratom is used in its native range, and more recently globally, as both a stimulant and a sedative. When available, fresh leaves are chewed and spat out like betel nut or tobacco chews. Exported material is often dry and is consumed orally and swallowed, which provides similar effects but also risks nausea if too much is taken. Kratom can make people very sick if taken in too large a quantity.

How to Ship - Back To Top

Seeds can be shipped any way, but not moist to prevent mold.

Plants can be shipped through the mail for up to about 2 weeks at most. Lower leaves should be removed prior to shipping, and if the uppermost leaves are large they should be cut shorter to decrease the amount of water that is lost through the leaves during transit. International standards call for any plant shipped to be bare root, this is good practice for multiple reasons. Once plants are stripped of most leaves, and washed of all dirt, they can be wrapped in moistened sphagnum moss (the stuff they use in orchids). Soak the moss right through, then use your hands to squeeze out all the water you can with a single firm squeeze. Place plant in a plastic ziplock bag and wrap all around the plant with the moss to prevent the leaves from touching the plastic (this may cause rot). Place bag in a box and pad with newsprint, and send it away.

How to Acclimate from the Mail - Back To Top

Photos - Back To Top

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Mitragyna speciosa Plant Guide

Kratom

Table of Contents

1. Classification

2. Morphology

3. Cultivation

4. Other Topics

1. Classification & Taxonomy - Back To Top

Botanical Description of Mitragyna speciosa - Back To Top

Cultivars & Varieties - Back To Top

2. Morphology - Back To Top

Plant Habit & Growth Form - Back To Top