Kratom, the plantKratom is the common name for a plant with the scientific name, Mitragyna
speciosa Korthals, a tree indigenous to Southeast Asia (Thailand, northern Malay
Peninsula to Borneo). It is mostly grown in the central and southern regions
of Thailand, and only rarely in the north.
 The
Mitragyna genus, part of the family Rubiaceae, is found in tropical and sub-tropical
regions of Asia and Africa. Asian Mitragynas are often found in rainforests,
while the African species (which are sometimes still classed in a separate genus,
Hallea) are often found in swamps. Most species are arborescent, some reaching
heights of almost 100 feet (30 meters). The genus was given its name by Korthals
because the stigmas in the first species he examined resembled the shape of
a bishop's mitre. This genus is characterized by a globular flowering head,
bearing up to 120 florets each. Mitragyna species are used medicinally as well
as for their fine timber through the areas they grow. More recently the plant
Mitragyna speciosa has also gained popularity as a recreational drug.
 Mitragyna
speciosa itself reaches heights of 50 feet (15 meters) with a spread of over
15 feet (4,5 meters). The stem is erect and branching. Flowers are yellow. Leaves
are evergreen, and are a dark glossy green in color, ovate-acuminate in shape,
and opposite in growth pattern. Kratom is evergreen rather than deciduous, and
leaves are constantly being shed and being replaced, but there is some quasi-seasonal
leaf shedding due to environmental conditions. During the dry season of the
year leaf fall is more abundant, and new growth is more plentiful during the
rainy season. When grown outside their natural tropical habitat, leaf fall occurs
with colder temperatures, around 4 degrees Celsius.
Growing
Kratom prefers wet, humus-rich soils in a protected position. Being a heavy
feeder, it requires very rich, fertile soil. It is drought sensitive, and if
grown out of its native habitat, sensitive to frost. Propagation is by very
fresh seed or cuttings. There is a low strike rate, due to a fungus which attacks
xylem tissue.
Only little is known about growing kratom. Seeds and cuttings are very hard
to find. Kratom cuttings are considered somewhat difficult to grow, though the
plants themselves, once established, are relatively hardy. Because of the difficulty
in getting cuttings to root, many people are experimenting with cloning. Two
of the primary difficulties with cuttings appear to be that they are either
attacked by fungus or simply never put out roots. Suggestions for dealing with
these problems include:
- putting the cutting in water with an air bubbler to increase oxygen levels;
- using a small amount of fungicide in the water to ward of fungus growth;
- changing the water every day to reduce chances of fungus.
One person has found success using rock wool to hold the cutting in moisture
while still allowing air flow, changing the water every day to cut down on fungus
growth, and adding nutrients as roots start to grow.
It has been reported that the leaves of M. speciosa are most potent in the late
autumn, just before the leaves fall off. It has been noted that plants grown
in cold climates are weak. Plants grown in subtropical or warm temperate climate
are weak in late winter and spring, but potent in late summer autumn and early
winter. Most plants grown in a hothouse are also weak (reason not understood).
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