Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia noted for its diverse therapeutic benefits. The herb is widely recommended for a variety of medical ailments.  

Although originally from Asia, kratom has been making waves in the Western world in the recent past. Millions are already vouching for the herb’s perceived medicinal properties, with some going a step further to cultivate it at home.  

In this article, we shall provide a definitive guide to growing kratom in your own backyard for self-sufficiency. 

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Understanding Kratom’s Health Benefits 

Mitragyna speciosa may be relatively new in the West. But in its native region of Southeast Asia, millions have been consuming the plant’s extracts for centuries.  

Pain relief is kratom’s biggest selling point. The herb treats pain by impacting various opioid receptors in the brain. You can buy kratom Canada and administer it for different types of pains, from headaches to backache and even workouts-induced muscle soreness.  

Kratom may produce the same effects as conventional opioids, except that it has a lower propensity for addiction and dependency. That explains why many wellness experts recommend the herb for mitigating opioid withdrawal. Considering the current opioid crisis in North America, it’s logical to predict an explosion in kratom’s demand in the not-so-distant-future.  

Kratom may also treat fatigue. The herb is a potent stimulant with mild psychoactive effects.  

Other noteworthy medical conditions that you can manage with Mitragyna speciosa include inflammation, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and erectile dysfunction (ED).  

Growing kratom in your backyard lets you tap into all the plant’s medicinal properties. It reduces the dependence on conventional medications, many of which have proven unsafe in the long run.  

Depending on the number of kratom plants in your backyard, you could also become a small-time commercial producer and reap from the growing demand for the herb.  

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How to Add Kratom to Your Backyard Wellness Garden 

1. Familiarise Yourself with the Law 

Despite its many therapeutic benefits, several jurisdictions have criminalised kratom for its stimulant effects.  

Fortunately, kratom is legal in Canada provided it’s not marketed as a pharmaceutical drug or dietary supplement. These restrictions don’t apply to kratom growers, making the herb 100% legal to cultivate.  

2. Choose Between Indoor and Outdoor Growing 

Are you planning to cultivate kratom in the open backyard or in a wellness greenhouse garden? The option you choose will determine the amount of care required and the trees’ growth pace.  

Growing kratom indoors lets you establish a controlled environment. On the flip side, you’ll need to spend on multiple growing items, from space heaters to fans, humidifiers, grow lights, and even the greenhouse itself.  

Besides, kratom is a reasonably tall tree. Mature plants can reach towering heights of 100 feet or 30.5 metres. Keep that in mind when picking a growing location.  

3. Pick Between Seeds or Cuttings 

Like most plants, kratom can be grown from seeds or clones. You could opt for either option, depending on the desired effects.  

Consider cuttings if you want to preserve your kratom’s genetic characteristics. However, note that kratom cuttings are painfully difficult to develop.  

Seeds are easier to work with for novice growers. Just ensure they’re high-quality seeds sourced from reputable kratom vendors.  

Also, be sure to plant multiple seeds in the same hole to improve their germination rate. 

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4. Plant Kratom Seedlings in Rich, Slightly Acidic Soils 

Choosing the right soil for your kratom seedlings is paramount. The herb thrives in fertile, well-draining soils.  

Aim for loamy soil. If you cannot obtain loam soil naturally in your backyard, you may consider purchasing it from the nearest nursery.  

Kratom also favours acidic over alkaline mediums. However, the soil should be weakly acidic, with a range of 5.5 – 6.5 on the pH scale.  

5. Feed and Water the Plants Regularly 

Nourishing kratom with a generous mix of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite every fortnight will help it grow into a robust plant. If you must supplement with industrial fertiliser, go for organic, liquid-based options formulated with all three macronutrients – nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.  

Kratom is sensitive to drought. However, the plants don’t tolerate waterlogging either.  

The conventional wisdom is to water kratom trees once a week during periods of intermittent rainfall, and when the top inch soil feels dry in other seasons. 

6. Adjust the Temperature, Humidity, and Lighting Accordingly 

Kratom thrives best in a temperature range of 75 – 85°F (24 – 29°C) and relative humidity between 70% and 90%.  

Maintaining these conditions helps increase the potency of kratom’s alkaloids.  

Kratom loves ample sunshine too. Remember that the tree thrives in a tropical climate that receives extended sunshine all-year-round.  

7. Timely Harvest Is Paramount 

Kratom is a slow grower. Cultivating this medicinal plant is a long-term commitment.  

Some fast-growing kratom cultivars may achieve maturity in about two years. Others could take up to ten years before they’re ready for harvesting.  

Technically, kratom has no ideal harvest time. You could start plucking the leaves from two years when they’re still whitish. That’s how you end up with the white-vein kratom strain.  

As the tree matures, its leaf veins turn greenish and eventually reddish. This represents green-vein and red-vein strains, respectively. 

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The Bottom Line 

The rising demand for kratom might trigger a shortage in the herb at some point in the future. One effective way to forestall such shortages is to step up kratom cultivation in Canada.  

Growing kratom in your backyard allows you to become medically self-sufficient while also letting you sell any surplus for profit. Happy gardening!