Voacanga africana Seeds
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Voacanga africana is one of the well guarded secrets of the African Magic Healers. Little is know about the actual use other than that the plant is held in high esteem for ritual and visionary purposes. Magicians ingest the seeds to gain visions and the root is used as a stimulant during hunts that often last for days. The seeds of Voacanga africana contain up to 10% indolealkaloids, and the bark contains about 2%.
Seeds germinate sporatically up to several months after planting. Use a sterile potting mix and bury the seeds to a depth of 2 seed diameters (8-10 mm). Keep the soil moist but not wet. Allow plenty of air circulation after the seeds have sprouted to help avoid fungal attack. These plants are quite prone to damping off (fatal fungal infection) when young, and many seedlings are lost. Grow in partial sun till well established, but can be placed in full sun when the plants are more mature. Need adequate root space to prosper, so regular repotting is probably a good idea. The evergreen tree from which voacana africana, grows to a height of 6m with a spread of 2m, but it is usually kept smaller in cultivation. The stem is erect and branching, the leaves are usually broad and oval and up to 30 cm long; the fruit berries contain several yellow seeds which are irregularly shaped, the cluster somewhat resembling a brain.
The voacana africana seeds is a native of the Ghanaian West African rainforests and prefers well composted rich soils where this is not a lot of direct sunlight. It's also VERY drought and frost tender. It propagates from fresh seed or cuttings. To germinate, sterilize seeds in 6% hydrogen peroxide for 10 mintues, then plant them about 10mm deep in sterilized sand or seed raising mix.
Voacanga africana is classified as an energizer, stimulant, visionary plant, and a cognitive enhancer.
Not for human consumption. Sold strictly for cultivation. |
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