Gotta Grow Slow

Haremints are hardy shrublets that like rocky locales in an arid climate. Below is a general guide for taking care of them outside of their natural habitat based in tender observation and benign neglect. For grow notes on Lagochilus species, visit /species

Outline:

• Germination
• Soil
• Moisture
• Light
• Flowering
• Death

Germination

There are several methods I've tried for for sprouting Lagochilus seeds:

• No treatment (only good for seeds within 1-2 years of harvest) - Good
• Cold stratification for 3-5 weeks - Better
• Gibberellic acid (GA3) 500-1000ppm - Better
• Cold stratification + GA3 - Best

When using GA3, it's important to use a fresh batch and store it in the fridge.

If the seeds are going to germinate, it will usually happen within 4-5 days of sowing or removal from fridge/application of GA3.

Soil

Mineral mix, generic cactus/succulent soil, gypsum pellets (50/40/10 for L. inebrians, 30/60/10 for L. platyacanthus, L. platycalyx, L. seravschanicus) in a terracotta or clay pot.

Soil should be on the alkaline side (hence gypsum):

“The desert soils of Uzbekistan evolved under semi-arid and arid conditions. They are characterized by low organic matter less than 1%), a high level of calcium, often associated with gypsum, and a low agricultural potential. The soils are composed of particles of varying sizes, are frequently saline, with unfavourable water-physical and physico-mechanical properties, poor structural characteristics, and often a high level of compaction. Most of these soils have evolved from alluvial, colluvial or aeolian loessic deposits with little weathering of the parent rock. They have been intensively studied for their agricultural development potential because of the availability of irrigation water, mainly from the Amu-Darya river (Letolle and Mainguet 1993). They are alkaline with a pH above seven.” - Rangelands of the arid and semi-arid zones in Uzbekistan (G. Gintzburger, K. N. Toderich, B. K. Mardonov and M. M. Mahmudov))

Moisture

Water when soil is dry or almost dry. Out of species in cultivation, L. inebrians requires the least water and should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. All species respond well to fertilizer:

“Two applications of complete fertilizer, in the rosette and bud-formation stages, increased the yield of the medicinal raw material by 42.3%.” - “The cultivation of Lagochilus inebrians,” Ikramov, M.I. (1964)

I use a good quality cactus/succulent fertilizer, like Cactus Store's Super Kabuto.

Humidity should be kept low - standard indoor r/h of 30-50% is fine. Fans set at a low speed help reduce humidity and maintain airflow. If r/h rises above 50% at hot summer temperatures, consider using a dehumidifier, such as a desiccant dehumidifier.

Light

All species need full sun (6+ hours of direct sun).

Flowering

In nature, most species flower in the fall (August-October). The flowers follow the general sage/mint arrangement and are easy to pollinate by hand with a thin brush.

Death

For living things like plants, death is inevitable.

Common causes of death for Lagochilus: spider mites, high humidity, and overwatering. If the plant is ever growing lanky, it's probably mites. For the treatment of spider mites, I strongly suggest predatory mites. In most cases, they will devour the spider mites after two applications.