Growing Perganum harmala (Syrian rue)

[ytse]

One harmala alkaloid (MAOI) containing plant is Perganum harmala (Syrian rue).
All sources report that it has a quite high concentration of these alkaloids.

As far as I have searched (books, web, forums) it is a quite difficult plant to grow.
It is naturally growing in Syria, Turkey and this region in general.

I decided to give a try in growing the plant since I live in a region suitable in growing this plant (Mediterranean).

I obtained seeds from two sources. One Turk selling herbs from his country and one online ethno botanical vendor. What I obtained from the Turk indeed was some whole fruits containing seeds.

I tried to germinate seeds from both sources with a great variety of methods, to be more precise : soaking in water, moist paper and moist ground. In every case I had a zero germination rate after about one month of waiting. Actually I didn’t notice the slightest reaction from the seeds.

I suspect that they either collect them while immature , probably this is the case of the first seeds because they were still in the fruit and they were quite smaller or that they process them in a way that makes them non viable ( maybe putting in the oven).

I would like to hear other experiences or opinion on the topic of growing P.harmala.

[JRL]

A lot of peganum sees sold be ethnobotanical vendors are "non-viable" because  it is considered a noxious weed, at least here in the states.

[Stonehenge]

I have viable ph seeds but they are very hard to grow. You need lots of sunshine and very little water. This is hard to maintain indoors and outdoors it depends on your climate. It grows well in desert areas.

[winder]

I have sprouted seeds before and had them in a pot outdoors, but I guess the soil did not drain and/or dry fast enough for these plants.  They died.

I will try again this year from the same cache of seeds, but with a different soil mix.

[byrooon]

i have tried growing the magical rue a few times... one time a few sprouted then they died... but at that time I didn't know what conditions they required... that was like 15 yrs ago...

Seeds were obtained from Richters in Canada, which is an excellent place to obtain herb seeds (they sell some plants, too) and has a great reputation... highly recommended... outstanding selection and actually cheaper than companion plants in my home state of Ohio...

I once obtained some seeds in a trade from glider... he included a note saying that syrian rue was a "magnet for mites"

TAIK

byron


ADDENDUM: I just checked Richter's web site. They no longer sell syrian rue seeds--no doubt because of the problems with germination and growth. IMHO

[Jupe]

Many grass like plant seeds need either bottom heating, or a burst of heat to "unlock" their sprouting "circuitry" .  Some folks have used a 15 second burst in the microwave, but better use Google Search first.....

[Stonehenge]

The problem with rue is not getting them sprouted, it's keeping them alive after they sprout.