B & T World Seeds reference:

401249

Common names and Synonyms:

Datura laevis, Datura tatula, Dhattura, Toloache, Thorn-apple, Tapate, Stramoine, Stinkblaren, Pomme Poison, Pomme Epineuse, Noce Del Diavolo, Nafeer, Man T'O Lo, Mad Apple, Jimson Weed, Gemeiner Stechapfel, Galurt, Floribunda, Figuiero Do Inferno, Feng Ch'Ieh Erh, Estramonio, Estramoni, Doornappelkruid, Devil's Apple, Daturah, Cornicopio, Concombre Zombie, Cojon De Diablo, Chamisco.

Flower:

WHITE or PURPLE, corolla to 10cm long.

Fruit:

Ovoid capsule to 10x4cm.

Foliage:

elliptic to ovate with sinuate margins, musky, 18x15cm.

Height:

To 2m.

Uses:

Aphrodisiac, Medicinal, Psychotropic, Sacred.

Information about Datura and Brugmansia as Sacred Plants and Medicines.

Angel trumpet Pictures
Brugmansia and Datura

Minimum Temperature:

USDA zone: 7 (0 to 10°F, down to about -18°C).

• List 19: "Everlasting" and Dried Flower Seeds, Australian and Other.
• List 31: House and container plant and seed list.
• List 34: Oriental herb and vegetable Seed List.
• List 36: Herb Seed List - Culinary, Medicinal, Dye, and Aromatic.
• List 43: Herbaceous border plant seed list.
• List 44: Cut flowers, commercial and other recommended varieties.
• List 87: Natives of central USA.
• List 626: Solanaceae.

Solanaceae seed price list.
Includes Atropa, Brugmansia, Capsicum, Datura etc.

Datura Cultivation I:

Grow in full sun in moisture retentive but well drained fertile and preferably calcareous soil.
Propagate by seeds sown in situ in spring (16°C / 61°F) or earlier under glass and set out after danger of frost has passed.
The foliage is extremely susceptible to viruses affecting other Solanaceous plants and may act as a host . . .

Datura Cultivation II:

Datura seems to be an awkward genera in that it will often grow like a weed and at other times seems to resist every attempt at germination.

Datura seem to occur naturally on fertile wasteland, rubbish tips, dry river banks and roadsides - they almost always start growing where the ground has been recently disturbed (giving the seeds sheltered nooks where plant material can gather and rot, and where the humidity is maintained by being sheltered from direct sunlight and wind).

If similar conditions are reproduced Daturas can be very successful sown in-situ outdoors.

Aerial parts of perennial species die back during the winter (if frosted) and will grow back from the roots in spring.

The plants like full sun, in moisture-retentive, but well-drained fertile and calcareous soil.
I tend to feed Daturas (and many other Solanaceae) with the same fertilisers I use for tomatos (these can be "chemical" or "Organic" according to your taste).

There seem to be 3 things that encourage good germination (Datura stramonium):

Temperature:

Ambiant temperature at about 70° F (21° C).

Light:

Sow with just a very thin sprinkle of sand or vermiculite on top of the seeds - experiments have produced results of 15% to 25% germination in the dark and 27% to 100% germination with some exposure to light (not direct sunlight as this will cook the seeds or burn the sprouts of those that germinate - the small plants must be gently introduced to full sunlight).

Humidity:

Covering the seed tray with a sheet of glass, or clingFilm will maintain the humidity. Propagating trays with clear plastic covers are also useful, they usually have air vents so that damping off can be prevented once germination commences.

Gibberellins (Gibberellic Acid-3 (GA-3)) have been found to stimulate germination amongst Daturas, but many growers prefer not to use them. Gibberellins are naturally produced by fungal action when leaves and other plant material decay - some compost or leaf mold blended with the seed mix may produce a similar effect.

Daturas are subject to statutory control as weeds in some countries.

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