Datura metel, also known as Devil's Trumpet or Horn of Plenty, is a tender perennial from the Solanaceae family originating in the Americas. Seeds have a hard coat requiring pre-treatment such as mechanical scarification and warm or cold water soaking to improve germination rates, which typically range from 14-60 days. All parts of this plant are highly toxic and should be handled with care.
Before sowing
Combine mechanical scarification with warm water soaking for optimal results. Seeds can be placed in sealed plastic bags with moist substrate to maintain humidity after treatment
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
For best results, scarify seeds mechanically before soaking. Place seeds on soil surface with light covering of vermiculite; do not exclude light as it aids germination. Maintain humidity with plastic bag until sprouts emerge. Germination is erratic and can take 3-8 weeks; be patient. Transplant seedlings at 8cm height on cloudy days or with shade protection. Provide at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight indoors. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent damping off. Cold water treatment (5°C for 24 hours) shows promise for improving germination in warmer regions. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors after all frost danger passes. Space plants 3-4 feet apart in full sun with neutral to alkaline, well-drained, fertile soil.
Sources: ResearchGate (Bisht et al. 2019), OutsidePride, PlantCareToday, Thompson & Morgan, KitchenGardenSeeds, DaveGarden, Missouri Botanical Garden, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, POWO (Kew Science), Wikipedia
