Attempt at growing Iboga

[Frusciante]

One of my Iboga has actually germinated. I picked up the mesh covered peat pellet and saw a tap root, So I cut off the mesh and accidentally tore the taproot just a bit, hopefully mother nature will forgive this and take care of my little Iboga. I picked the dirt around the seed and saw the enclosed tree seeking freedom from the hard shell. Via instructions I found on Iboga forum I gathered some wet vermiculite around the seed to keep it wet and barely nicked the seed coat, the guide I read told me to keep it wet and cut it just a hair everyday. I'm really stoked to see this lil guy sprout and any info from experienced growers would be great as I hope I can keep him alive.

 

[remediosvaro]

good luck with this, it seems like you know what your doing. hopefully that works out

 

[Frusciante]

Well I do a lot of gardening, but I knew this would be a tough project as everything I've read about growing Iboga said it would be, hence my surprise to see one actually come through. I really am praying I can pull this little guy through, hes the only one out of 10 so far, although maybe a couple more might pop up, I still have 12 seeds in reserve I want to try out in a different soil, like a cactus soil mix maybe. We will see.

 

[Tequiza]

I can't wait to see the results of this!

 

[Jarl Von Hoother]

how long will this wee lil seed sprout flourish into a big shady boh tree?

 

[Frusciante]

I had another pop up! I'm working on getting a couple of photos up, the first one is looking a lot better now. I just moved him to a grow tent on a 24 hr cycle, on only a 30 watt bulb.

 

[anabolic_hippie]

is it alright to keep an iboga on a 24 hour light cycle
im not a gardening expert but i would think that wouldnt be a good idea
just like ppl plants need darkness as they need light

 

[Frusciante]

Here's an update on my grow, the new seedling came out of the seed coat much easier and looks like he is catching up to the first quick since I put them in the grow tent. I cut them back on the light to 18/6.
It's hard to keep it humid in the tent, but they seem o.k..

 

[Macre]

This is fantastic. Iboga truly is a worthwhile addition to the garden, I wish you lots of luck with this.

Peace

Macre

 

[Frusciante]

Thank you Macre. I am hoping and praying I can keep these guys alive, I have never had the chance to experience Iboga, but I know I can do some good one day for myself and others if my little fellas can survive.

 

[Frusciante]

Updated photo, these little guys are coming along

 

[moyshekapoyre]

Maybe I shouldn't posting in this old thread, but I wonder if anyone has any good info on how to harvest the old roots sustainably? I have a friend in Gabon and he says nobody down there has a clue about this.
Seems to me it must be pretty easy, you just use the smaller roots, not the big taproot, as with other trees. But is it just that simple??

 

[Icon]

Yea, probably better as a fresh question in the Iboga forum or Ethno Garden.

From what I know, they like drainable substrate. You could have an Iboga growing in a pot with many holes in the sides, like a strawberry pot. This helps with drainage and eventual root harvesting.

I think there's a certain time of year and technique that you can trim branches off a more mature plant to stimulate root growth. Then as the new roots grow, they will grow out of the holes in the sides of the pot and you can trim those off while keeping the plant alive. I've never done it myself but I've seen it suggested for Mimosa root harvesting, and they seem similar enough.

As far as sustainable wild harvesting... I'd also reference experience with mimosas. From what I hear, some suppliers can and do do this. But I don't know the details, your guess is as good as mine that they just take the younger, peripheral roots.