Many people know Kratom is a Southeast Asian tree that only grows and thrives in specific environmental conditions. While the plant is now popular in the United States, you won’t easily find it anywhere other than Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, its recent boom in interest may be a natural motivation to try and grow Kratom yourself.
From what’s known, Kratom doesn’t just grow in stable environmental conditions. If you wish to break the stereotype and grow it at home, there are special considerations you’ll have to make. Also, keep in mind Kratom isn’t legalized in all places worldwide. So, you may want to confirm with your local legal provisions to avoid getting in any trouble.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/2ckQ4BrvpC4
Your Guide to Growing Kratom
To enjoy the health benefits of Kratom, you need the purest and freshest forms of the Kratom leaves. Growing your Kratom is arguably the only way that’ll assure you of this better quality Kratom. However, there are still varieties of high quality red Borneo Kratom available online.
When farming and growing Kratom at home, there are a few things to put in mind. That is the amount of space and tools needed for farming, the type of soil in your home, and the necessary lighting required. It is vital to recreate the trees’ proper growth environment to yield the best quality Kratom leaves.
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/dark-green-plant-green-leaves-nature-3808354/
Using Kratom Seeds vs. Plants
Before embarking on the journey to grow Kratom in your garden, you establish whether you’ll use seeds or starter plants. This may also depend on the existing growth conditions you rely on for the trees to grow and mature. It’s challenging to farm with seeds considering they need to be fresh to multiply under the soil.
Starter plant shoots may be the best option as they are easy to find and have a higher chance of surviving the remaining growth stages. The only challenge is that they may result in an odd growing pattern compared to seeds. Unlike seeds, they also don’t take root effectively and are susceptible to infections. Below are a few tips for growing Kratom plants at home
- Check the Soil Requirements
Kratom only grows on the most fertile soil with rich levels of humus. Similarly, the soils should have good drainage with adequate pH levels. Any soil with PH levels of 5.5 to 6.5 is fit enough to support the plant’s optimal growth. You should maintain this PH to ensure the Kratom plant absorbs sufficient nutrients from the soil.
For better growth, consider rinsing your Kratom plant with water to speed up the normal development. This is so because the soil will need regular hydration to provide the best environment for Kratom growth. However, be cautious about the amount of water you use. Too much hydration affects germination and may encourage fungal growth.
- Ensure there’s Optimum Sunlight
Kratom requires specific climate conditions to grow and thrive. If you’re using seeds, be sure not to expose them to excess sunlight, especially at the germination stage. When the seeds develop into buds, keep them well protected from cold and any humid conditions. Temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius are considered potentially harmful.
If you want to plant your Kratom plants in an indoor garden, you may use LED or HPS lights to provide lighting. A high-Pressure Sodium System is also recommendable.
- Keep the Humidity Levels in Check
For efficient growth, it’s also vital to control the humidity conditions around the plant. In South-eastern Asian regions where Kratom is grown, the average humidity levels fall within 90 to 95 percent.
This means Kratom grows best when continuously exposed to moderate levels of humidity in the surrounding area. In areas where the environment is too dry, consider alternative measures to increase the humidity levels. This will keep plant leaves shinier and greener.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/xljtGZ2-P3Y
- Ensure the Tress are Well Fertilized and Exposed to Wind
Besides high water consumption, Kratom strains are also heavy nutrient feeders. The plant naturally requires constant watering and fertilization to grow and develop better leaves. So, fertilizer use is recommended to boost their healthy growth and bear leaves rich in alkaloids.
The wind is also a natural requirement that’s useful in triggering Mitragynine levels in Kratom. You can rely on the natural wind or create artificial wind currents. This will give you a healthy plant with greater health benefits. The mitragynine component is specifically famed for its pain-relieving properties and can serve as a better alternative to opioids.
- Practice Good Harvesting
Growing your Kratom to full maturity is not all. You might need a few tips to ensure good harvesting. Usually, Kratom trees are most active in their last stages of growth. This means you have to harvest them within the first years after attaining full maturity. If left for one more month, the trees may begin shedding the leaves leading to wastage.
The leaves are harvested by being plucked from the tree and thoroughly washed. This helps to remove the dirt and other components that may be harmful to your health.
Final Thought
Growing Kratom may seem like a tedious task. However, following the right tips will afford you a healthy plant with nutrient-rich leaves. Farming and growing the plant at home is considered environmentally friendly and may help with soil enrichment. However, you’ll require Lab-testing to ensure the Kratom strain you are using is contamination-free.
