lagochilus Inebrians

[Stonehenge]

Is anyone growing this plant? I have one surviving seedling out of over a dozen seeds I started and some 3 seedlings that came up. I've been putting mine in the window to give it lots of light. I'm giving it very little ferts and only watering after the soil is dry on top. As it gets bigger, I'll let it get a little drier before watering. I put a couple images of it in the gallery under identification.

Lagochilus is from Uzbekistan and the regions around there. It is used as a tea and gives sedation. It's a very rare plant and I'm growing it mostly out of curiosity and in hopes of preserving the species.

Stoney

[VajraPirate]

I'm not growing this one, but it's good to see an update on your lago seedling. I was wondering if any survived.

[X. Torris]

Stoney, do you have a verified L. inebrians seedling, or a different Laochilius species?  I'm wondering because the last I heard, all material floating around that was said to be that inebrians (seeds, dried herb) was turning out to be different (though perhaps pharmacologically similar?) species upon closer inspection.  I've been led to believe that L. inebrians is quite endangered.

If you do have L. inebrians, that's very exciting!  I've often wondered about this particular ethnobotanical, and I would like to hear more about it's preferred artificial habitat, as well as any possible bioassays that happen on down the road.  Even if it's not inebrians, but a different species, I'd like to hear more re: source, setup, progress.

Keep us posted!  

[Stonehenge]

No, it hasn't been positively id'ed as l. inebrians. It makes no difference because all lago species seem to have the same active ingredients. People have reported that their plants all seemed to die on them. I came up with the theory that this plant needs sunlight to survive. Syrian rue is like that. It grows in the plains and loves sunlight. It likes poor soil and arid conditions. Lago grows in a similar climate and just on a hunch, I introduced my plant to sun right away though naturally I tried to do it gradually and not all at once. So far so good but one other seedling I had died when I did it. I may have taken it out from under the plastic wrap and put it in the window too fast. Next sprouts I get will go more gradually. The one seedling is growing fairly fast so it seems to like the conditions.

I got the seeds from someone in Finland, I think it was. I'm not sure of his source. One day I'll have cuttings available but right now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I don't screw it up.

Stoney

[X. Torris]

I came up with the theory that this plant needs sunlight to survive.

LOL.  You radical, you!

Best of luck in breaking "new" ground, and keep us updated!

[Stonehenge]

OK, that sounds kind of obvious. What I meant was some plants can grow in the shade or the sun or partial sun. Some like rue will die in the shade, they have to have sun. So far I've given it little to no ferts but I think I'll fert it a little more next time it needs watering. I'm trying to let it dry out completely before watering again.

Stoney

[simple_simon]

I've got one Lagochilus sprout left out of a dozen seeds planted and two that actually sprouted after 2 months of waiting. the other one that sprouted just flopped over and died for some reason and i've been just crossing my fingers hoping that the other one won't do the same. I've heard that they won't survive being grown in pots because they produce a really long tap root so I'm kind of torn about whether I should plant it in a big pot and hope that it will do well or whether I should take the chance that it will survive being planted out in the yard. I think that it experiences harsh winters in it's native environment so I would assume that it would do fine outside in the southeastern u.s. but I haven't found anyone that can confirm this. It's too bad I couldn't have ended up with two so that I could try both and see which worked better but since I only have one it's kind of crucial to figure out what to do. does anyone have any experience with this plant or any suggestions in general?

[Stonehenge]

My lago is about a foot tall and is doing well in my back yard in a 1 gallon pot. I keep it in the sun and it seems to like it. I think it'll do fine. I should take a photo of it, I'll probably do that this week some time.

[Murple]

Hmm, I didnt know seeds were available even... all I've seen is dried plant matter. I'd love to grow this plant, if anyone can PM me more info.

How big do they get? Are they perennial, and do they do well in containers (or in the ground will they survive cold winters? I'd assume so considering their origin).

[Stonehenge]

Murple, the answers to your questions are being researched as we speak. It's a fairly new species to the ethno world. I will try cloning it in a few months after it hopefully gets larger.

[Stonehenge]

My lagochilus has flowers! I just noticed it today. They are kind of white with maybe a lavender tint. It was getting dark when I saw them so I'll take another look tomorrow. I took a photo but I don't have the software set up on my new computer and I can't find the manual or the disc. I may load it on my old computer and come back or just look for the software.

I doubt it will be able to produce seeds or that they will be viable. Most plants are not sef fertile but a few are. Still, it's a great developement. Anyone have a lago in flower? Perhaps we could swap pollen?

[Ed]

If they are these SWIM has them in full bloom. And extra fresh seeds about 20 (just picked  

Ed(uard)

[Stonehenge]

Hi Eduard

Good to hear from you. That is a very nice photo of lago, good pics are hard to find. The flowers and the plant look just like that. The flowers appear white but are a pale lavender. How long from the time the flower dropped off until the seeds were ready? Does the green cup turn brown or something to let you know when they are ready? It looks like I will get 4 seeds per pod, is that what you got? Let us know if any of the seeds sprout. How many flowering plants do you have? I have only one.

[Ed]

Hey Stoney,

How long from the time the flower dropped off until the seeds were ready?

About motrh I think; didn't count

 

Does the green cup turn brown or something to let you know when they are ready?

Yes, it turs brown and looks almost like dead, but it isn't

[jokergrin]

This is so exciting...it's great seeing a new rare, promising plant being cared for, cultivated, and researched... I wish you guys the best with them!  
-jg