I wanted to talk about our 3-year-old kratom tree that I have been growing for a few years now. I did have a total of three trees but gave the other two trees away to friends to take care of and enjoy. Kratom trees have deep roots and can withstand alot nature throws at them.

Kratom, a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, is known for its distinct types or strains, which include the white vein, green vein, and red vein. These strains are characterized by the color of the veins that run through the leaves of the kratom tree. Each strain offers unique properties and effects, making them popular among kratom enthusiasts.

The white vein kratom is derived from leaves with white veins, and it is known for its energizing effects. It is often used by individuals seeking increased focus, mental clarity, and a boost in energy levels. Many people find white vein to be a great alternative to coffee or other stimulants.

On the other hand, the green vein kratom is made from leaves with green veins. This strain is considered to be a middle ground between the white and red vein strains. It offers a balanced blend of both energizing and relaxing effects. Green vein kratom is often favored by those looking for a mild energy boost and a sense of calmness and well-being.

Lastly, the red vein kratom is derived from leaves with red veins. This strain is known for its relaxing properties. It is commonly used by individuals seeking relaxation. Red vein kratom is often consumed in the evening or before bedtime to promote a restful night’s sleep.

Now, let’s delve into the challenges of growing it. While kratom is a resilient plant that can thrive in various environments, it requires specific conditions to grow successfully. It is primarily cultivated in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, where the climate and soil conditions are ideal for its growth.

One of the main difficulties in growing kratom is the need for a tropical or subtropical climate. The tree thrives in regions with high humidity, ample rainfall, and consistent temperatures ranging from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 32 degrees Celsius). These conditions provide the necessary environment for the kratom tree to flourish.

Additionally, kratom trees require well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should have a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Proper soil composition and pH levels are crucial for the tree’s nutrient uptake and overall health.

Another challenge in growing it is the time it takes for the tree to mature and produce leaves suitable for harvesting. It typically takes several years for a kratom tree to reach its full maturity.

Indoor Kratom Tree

Different strains have assorted color kratom tree leaves. Indoor plants must be taken care of differently than outdoor plants. Growing plants indoors requires the environment to be suitable for growth.

If you have a separate humid laundry room in your house with a window this would be a perfect spot for your tree. A bathroom with a window will work too. The extra humidity is what kratom loves!

Therefore, I had to make sure that the temperature and humidity of the room were to the correct level for the kratom tree to grow. I also had to make sure that it was getting enough light and water to survive. Additionally, I had to make sure that the soil was aerated correctly, so that the tree could access the nutrients it needed for growth. After a few years of careful tending, my kratom tree has grown to be a healthy and vibrant plant.

Indoor plants produce air purifying qualities. Plants need two key gases: oxygen is used in aerobic respiration, where food molecules are broken down to release energy for growth. This process releases carbon dioxide as a waste product. Carbon dioxide is used in photosynthesis, where the sun’s energy is harnessed to make food.

Plants and humans help each other live, so having plants in the house is a great idea for anyone looking to live a better quality of life.

Outdoor Kratom Tree

Kratom is a slow growing plant that is known to live for decades in the jungles of Indonesia and Thailand.

You only need a small yard to grow a kratom tree. The biggest issue for growing kratom outdoors is the climate. Anyone living in the Northeast United States will have some trouble in the winter months.

We must put our kratom tree into a grow tent by October and re-introduce it back to the outdoor climate by the end of April.

Taking care of live kratom plants takes some knowledge, but buying kratom plants to grow at home is a great hobby.

It is important to remember that kratom plants need a lot of sunlight and humidity. A grow tent with the right lighting is ideal for getting the right balance of sun and shade. You should also be sure to water your kratom plants often and fertilize them to make sure they get the nutrients they need to thrive.

Finally, you should be sure to prune your plants regularly to keep them healthy and promote new growth. Growing kratom plants at home is a fantastic way to experience the benefits of this powerful plant. You cannot find kratom plants for sale at your local plant nursery, but you can buy kratom plants online.

Growing kratom from cuttings

I started growing my tree from a cutting that I purchased online. I followed the instructions that came with the cutting, and it has been thriving ever since. I have been able to harvest its leaves and make teas and tinctures that I enjoy drinking.

Growing kratom has been both a rewarding and educational experience. I am looking forward to seeing how it grows and changes over the years.

I have been able to provide the right environment for the kratom plants to flourish. I water them regularly and keep them in a sunny spot. I have also started experimenting with different fertilizers and light levels to see what works best for the plants.

I am excited to see how the tree continues to grow and see what kind of harvest I will get in the coming years. I am sure it will be an experience that I can share with other kratom enthusiasts.

I was surprised at how easy it was to take care of the kratom tree. I have learned a lot about the plant and its growing habits. I make sure to give the tree lots of sunlight and water and it has responded very well.

I have also started experimenting with different methods of pruning and fertilizing to optimize the growth and health of the tree. I am excited to see the results of my efforts and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for my kratom tree. One tree is enough to manage our climate.

Should I try to Grow Kratom?

I recommend all consumers try to grow kratom at least once. growers send out leaves and plant materials for lab testing and can see what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong.

Our climate in Salem County South Jersey is great during the summer, but once it gets a bit colder, we must take the tree inside. Kratom does not make a great house plant and does not do well in small spaces. Kratom is from Southeast Asia and not used to cold winters or dry climates. At this point, the tree is about seven feet tall including the container and weighs about eighty pounds.

Even in warmer climates of the United States, American Kratom is vulnerable to cold snaps and other issues that make it a bit of a hassle to grow outdoors. I have had to use a hand cart to move the tree from our inside tent area to outside during the summer for the past year.

I have tried to bring the tree inside the house, but each time the tree drops all the leaves and does not do well at all. We had a few cuttings we tried this with, and they did great until we brought them inside the house. The lack of humidity is the culprit and kratom trees do not like dry conditions.

Kratom tree grow lights.

We used California lightworks grow lights specifically the Solarextreme 500 for our kratom trees. We use the same light to start other herbs, plants, and flowers.

We have had this light for 2 years without any issues. I have spent less in the past, but never got more than a year out of the light. Burnt bulbs, broken fans and other issues would occur.

We used the Bonsai method to create a bonsai kratom tree to bush the tree out a bit while making sure the height is not a problem. Right now, we have the tree inside a 40-gallon container. The leaves of the tree after 3 years are quite bitter. I have harvested many leaves over the past 3 years, and I have plenty of crushed leaves for homemade tea.

Kratom Farmers

Having a kratom tree and harvesting the leaves gives me profound respect for all the Kratom Farmers who work tirelessly to bring us kratom. I harvested about 5 1-gallon jars, and I am lucky to have a kilo once finished.

I realize that it is only one small tree but seeing these large kratom trees in the Indonesian Jungles makes you realize how time consuming it truly is to harvest hundreds of kilos of kratom. The harvesting process is quite laborious, especially in the hot and humid climate of Southeast Asia. The kratom farmers must pick each leaf by hand and then dry it in the sun. It is a process that takes hours and requires a lot of patience and dedication.

Harvesting Kratom

I purchased a Vivosun 8-Layer Hanging Mesh Drying Rack for my project. The drying rack allowed me to dry the kratom leaves quickly and efficiently in a few days. It was a tremendous help and enabled me to harvest the copious quantities that I needed. After drying the leaves, I then put them in kilo jars and sealed them tightly.

The finished product was a very high-quality kratom with a wonderful aroma and effects. I am glad that I was able to harvest enough kratom to make a kilo, and I am looking forward to future harvesting projects.

I have had this rack for a few years now without any issues. No tearing and no rips. It is a bit tall, so get a smaller version if necessary.

This rack collapses for easy storage and can be cleaned easily. The leaves stayed in the drying rack for about 5 days. I laid them flat inside the rack and kept them in a drier room for stability.

Nutrients Used to Grow Kratom

I used Organic Mechanics and Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil for the container blend. This soil is very nutrient rich, and I avoided any further nutrients until the tree was about 6 months old. At that point I used worm castings and a calcium Magnesium supplement to balance out any deficiencies.

Fox Farm is a well known cannabis growing brand and Organic Mechanics is a local winner for potting soil blends!

After about a year I started with some nutrients that are used for the traditional cannabis growing market. I have used assorted brands over the years and finally stuck with Epsoma plant tone for the ease of use and cost. This was recommended by a local garden center for a full range of benefits.

Kratom leaves have distinctive characteristics, sometimes based on the age of the leaf, as well as genetics plus the amount of sunlight they receive. Different ages of leaves have distinct vein colors. The youngest leaves have white veins, while more developed leaves have green veins. Fully mature leaves have red veins.

Fermented kratom is made by using the fermentation process which changes the alkaloid composition and produces a relaxing effect.

White vein kratom powder is said to be more balanced between red and green vein types. Different strains of it will always have different effects.

Growing diverse types of speciosa has truly been a wonderful experience that I love. I have a strawberry patch that produces about 10-quart containers of strawberries every spring.

Gardening is my only hobby now, but I am getting some good practice for My retirement in about 20 years! I am looking forward to having a large garden and growing all my own fruits and vegetables at home. I am learning all the dos and don’ts of gardening now.

Plants and Herbs have a profound effect on our general wellbeing. Just growing plants indoors has been shown to reduce stress. I guess growing plants can induce stress if your new to growing and killing your plants, but that is why I made sure to do my homework and learn about each individual plant that I was caring for and growing.

Outdoor and indoor Plants are living things and taking care of any living thing daily should make us feel better. Plants are air purifying and mostly slow growing. Just watching plants grow can be very relaxing. Whether you have a large yard or a small yard, or no yard at all it is easy to take care of a plant

Depending on each other to live is the way this world was originally made. We give breath to plants and plants give breath to us! I hope that you enjoyed my talk about my tree and about my love for gardening in general. Growing and Gardening give me the peace of mind I genuinely enjoy from living things.

Try out gardening and you’ll have a better day today!

God Bless and Be Safe, Christopher

Conclusion

I can only imagine how difficult it would be to harvest enough leaves from a single tree to make a kilo of kratom. It is no wonder why kratom is such a rare and sought after commodity. I am so grateful for the challenging work of all the farmers who brought us these amazing leaves. Check out Rutgers vegetable and herb gardening fact sheet and see why New Jersey loves Rutgers.