TOOTHACHE PLANT

Toothache plant (Acmella oleracea) is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. In Brazil it is called jambu.
 Its native distribution is unclear, but it is likely derived from a Brazilian Acmella species. It is grown as an ornamental and it is used as a medicinal remedy in various parts of the world.
 A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and bears gold and red inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates.
 For culinary purposes, small amounts of shredded fresh toothache plant leaves are said to add a unique flavour to salads.
 Cooked leaves lose their strong flavour and may be used as leafy greens. Both fresh and cooked leaves are used in dishes such as stews in Brazil.

They are combined with chilies and garlic to
 add flavor and vitamins to other foods. Toothache plant prefers well-drained, black (high organic content) soil.
Toothache plant seeds are simple to grow. Sprinkle some on damp, rich soil and cover with cling-film. The seeds will take about 2-3 weeks to germinate at room temperature.
They like partially shaded sunlight. Frost will kill them though.

SOME PEYOTE WE HAVE HERE :)

Happy caespitosa!

Peyote Cactus is a small, spineless cactus, (Lophophora williamsii), whose principal active ingredient is the hallucinogen mescaline.

                                                              Lots of clumps!

             From earliest recorded time, peyote has been used by natives in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States as a part of traditional religious rites.

 Peyote is also sold in Mexico as a medicine against blindness, fever and many other diseases.Although the areas Lophophora Williamsii is commonly found in are usually very dry and receive much harsh direct sunlight, the cactus itself often grows in the shade of another cactus or nearby shrub.

Healthy roots

Once Peyote reaches a diameter of around 7cm, Peyote begins producing side pups, and may eventually form large clumps. Peyote will do well in any free draining compost mix. Although to promote flowering it is recommended to add Gypsum.

 Calcium is also thought to benefit Peyote. A good mix would be: 1/3 coarse sand**1/3 Perlite**1/3 Potting compost.

A couple of new babies!

 Due to it's naturally slow growth rate, some growers prefer to graft Peyote onto faster growing species, such as San Pedro (trichocereus pachanoi)or a pereskiopsis species, to cut down on the time it takes to produce fully grown plants.

Peyote usually responds well to grafting, a six month old seedling, once grafted, may reach flowering size in as little as six months

  This is a big improvement on conventionally grown Peyote, which may take 3 to 5 years to reach flowering size. 

As with all cacti, don't graft Peyote just for the sake of it. As not all grafts are successful, it can be a terrible waste of plants.

MAKING YOUR OWN ABSINTHE!

"Sam Pedro's Absinthe kits work a treat! Thanks very much Sam." Charlie (Dover, UK)

Since we started making our own Absinthe kits back in 1999 we have had nothing but positive feedback from them!

The kit comprises of a pack of pre-prepared herbs, including Wormwood, Hyssop and Calamus root.

There are full instructions (detailed below) and even a couple of paper filters to get your finished result as clear as possible.

We’ve been making absinthe kits since 1999 and our recipe has been steadily improved over the years!

Our kit has been tried and tested by many friends and customers

and they have always found the flavours of the ingredients we use to be excellent.

In the kit you will find a pack of mixed herbs and spices, including Wormwood & Calamus

organically grown and dried in Cornwall.

 Simply add the herb mix to 1litre of 50% (100 proof)or more alcohol.

 A strong rum or vodka will do.

Using anything lower than 50% will leave your drink very cloudy.

Leave to steep for 2-3 weeks, then strain the herbs from the liquid. Filter 2 or 3 times with the filter paper provided to attain clarity.

It’s now ready to drink. Pour over a sugar cube using a traditional Absinthe spoon.

*Note: our Wormwood gives the drink a high content of Thujone. Use caution!

Please enquire for more details!

SALVIA DIVINORUM W&H STRAIN

Back in stock now after many requests!

Salvia divinorum is a psychoactive plant which can induce visions and other hallucinatory experiences.

 Its native habitat is in cloud forest of Oaxaca, Mexico, where it grows in shady and moist locations.

Salvia divinorum rarely produces seed, and when it does they are nearly always sterile. That is why Salvia divinorum is usually propagated by cuttings.

 Once acclimatized it can live as a normal houseplant, otherwise it needs an humid environment to mimic its natural habitat.

 The W&H strain (named for R. Gordon Wasson and Dr. Albert Hoffman) is said to be the most potent of the known strains. 

It is faster growing than the Blosser strain of Salvia Divinorum although its reputed to be less palatable.

                                       We also have Blosser strain back in stock.

Instructions for growing cacti using your new grow kit.

                                                                                                 

Instructions for growing cacti using your new grow kit.

Pretty much the same as our seed growing article apart from the inclusion of the mini-propagator provided in your kit.

●level down the cactus compost provided into the pot.

●dampen the compost with water.

●sprinkle the seeds evenly over the compost. Do not cover them with soil, they need light to germinate.

●cover with the mini-propagator lid.

●place in non-direct sunlight at 70˚-80˚.

●keep the compost moist, but not wet, by gently spraying with water when needed.

●seeds should germinate within 2 weeks.

●watch out for damping off fungus and spray with fungicide immediately.

●keep the seedlings in indirect sunlight for about 6 months,  then slowly let them have more light. They will have a lush green colour if the light levels are right. If their skin turns  red it means they are getting too much light, so shade with an appropriate material. Muslin or thin white sheeting work well.

●be in no hurry to re-pot them. Wait until they are fighting for room.

Sam Pedro's cactus seed grow kit

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROWING CACTUS FROM SEED

Instructions for growing cactus from seed.

Mix 3 parts of commercial potting compost with 1 part of grit (not sand) and 1 part of perlite.

Level down into pots or a seed tray.

Soak the compost with water.

Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the compost. Do not cover them with soil, they need light to germinate.

Cover with a propagator lid, sheet of glass or Cling-film.

Place in non-direct sunlight at 70-80 degrees F (21-26C)

Keep the compost moist, but NOT wet, by spraying with water when needed.

Seeds should germinate within 2 weeks.

Watch out for damping off fungus and spray with a suitable fungicide immediately.

Keep the seedlings in indirect sunlight for about 6 months, then slowly let them have more light and less humidity. They will have a lush green colour if the light levels are right. If the epidermis turns red it means they are getting too much light, so shade with an appropriate material. Muslin or thin white cloth works well for us.

Be in no hurry to re-pot them. Wait until they are fighting for room.

                                                                                 Trichocereus macrogonus seedlings

Horned leaves on our maeng-da kraom

Maeng-Da kratom. The legendary 'horned leaves'

Our main tree is about 2 years old now. We used to have another one but it got killed by someone's stupidity......

The horned leaves do not appear all the time. Even then, they only appear with age. 

They are only now starting to show up every now & then.

The leaves also get a really nice 'frilled' look to them. Similarly, not all of them show this trait, thats why it can be tricky in identifying some Kratom strains at this age.

More frilled leaves.

Typically the main tree has really gone into overdrive, pushing out shoots and leaves a go-go, just in time for Winter! It will drop most of its leaves soon and the new shoots will go onto pause mode.

Hopefully the cuttings we have taken already will be rooted in time for winter too.