Gardening

[Joe]

The wild mustard is mild herbal, haven’t had the chance to smell it properly. The Habaq is a type of mint, slightly drier, more spicy.

I am heading out to find some Habaq essential oil. I like dry mint with an edge of spice (borderline) and spierement is great at this in tiny amounts. I don't usually use peppermint as it smells sweet and loud and then becomes a jumbled mess of herbs on both the blotter strip and on skin. While I like some Japanese mints I rarely choose mint as a top note since it always takes away from what follows. Generally I prefer linear scents over traditional pyramid scents although I will break tradition if the scent is restrained and has a French influence.

 

[Saudalhajri]

I am heading out to find some Habaq essential oil. I like dry mint with an edge of spice (borderline) and spierement is great at this in tiny amounts. I don't usually use peppermint as it smells sweet and loud and then becomes a jumbled mess of herbs on both the blotter strip and on skin. While I like some Japanese mints I rarely choose mint as a top note since it always takes away from what follows. Generally I prefer linear scents over traditional pyramid scents although I will break tradition if the scent is restrained and has a French influence.

Compared to Peppermint it’s much less sweet, more dusty, wild smelling, bitter, less “cool sweet”, it’s like the eastern version of mint lol. I think it’s also called Horsemint. There’s one guy in Saudi Arabia that distills it, I have about 3ml of it and used it in a few blends, it acts as a “cool morning” scent than “fresh”

 

[Joe]

Compared to Peppermint it’s much less sweet, more dusty, wild smelling, bitter, less “cool sweet”, it’s like the eastern version of mint lol. I think it’s also called Horsemint. There’s one guy in Saudi Arabia that distills it, I have about 3ml of it and used it in a few blends, it acts as a “cool morning” scent than “fresh”

Since it’s part of the mint family, I guess that it’s a top note?

 

[Mr.P]

A guest moved in next to my sambac , I believe it’s wild mustard
View attachment 53068

Also got some mentha longafolia (Habaq) to plant
View attachment 53067

Ack, I hate to be "that guy" but the first pic looks more like wild lettuce than mustard.

Notice the latex on the cut leaf - that is one characteristic of the lettuces that the mustards don't share. Lettuces' latin names start with "Lactuca" which shares a root with lactating, lactose, etc. due to the milky sap. Interestingly I read that wild lettuce latex forms a brown sticky opium-like material when dry that is a mild sedative.

 

[Mr.P]

Compared to Peppermint it’s much less sweet, more dusty, wild smelling, bitter, less “cool sweet”, it’s like the eastern version of mint lol. I think it’s also called Horsemint. There’s one guy in Saudi Arabia that distills it, I have about 3ml of it and used it in a few blends, it acts as a “cool morning” scent than “fresh”

sounds lovely

 

[Saudalhajri]

Since it’s part of the mint family, I guess that it’s a top note?

Yes but it can also go into the mid notes, i used it at 0.03g in 8g attar before and it gives a nice dusty herbal slightly minty background, but im sure you can increase it.

Ack, I hate to be "that guy" but the first pic looks more like wild lettuce than mustard.

Notice the latex on the cut leaf - that is one characteristic of the lettuces that the mustards don't share. Lettuces' latin names start with "Lactuca" which shares a root with lactating, lactose, etc. due to the milky sap. Interestingly I read that wild lettuce latex forms a brown sticky opium-like material when dry that is a mild sedative.

You sure? i dont see the latex. Also the stems of this plant are purplish, which is the same with wild mustard. Idk though im not a botanist. i guess we'll wait till it flowers and blooms. Might be radishes Raphanus sativus

sounds lovely

IT IS! Im having it with tea right now

 

[Mr.P]

Yes but it can also go into the mid notes, i used it at 0.03g in 8g attar before and it gives a nice dusty herbal slightly minty background, but im sure you can increase it.

You sure? i dont see the latex. Also the stems of this plant are purplish, which is the same with wild mustard. Idk though im not a botanist. i guess we'll wait till it flowers and blooms. Might be radishes Raphanus sativus View attachment 53072


IT IS! Im having it with tea right now

That looks like a mustard family plant in the pic in this messsage. But there are a few differences that set them apart. it does have a generally similar pattern to the divided leaves but in this case that's not enough to identify it. There are some subtle differences in the texture and the leaf margins with the mustard having a more rough slight crenellated texture, the lettuce being a bit smoother. there are three common similar looking plants that make latex… wild lettuce, prickly lettuce and sow thistle. I think this is either wild or prickly lettuce most likely not the prickly kind. that Rosette will grow for a while and then it will bolt and produce a tall stem with yellow flowers and tufted seeds almost like dandelions but smaller.

I circled the place in the picture where you can see the latex starting to brown up on a cut leaf. i'm not there in person but I have a graduate degree in botany and that 100% is not in the mustard family

 

[Mr.P]

this patchouly plant has been hanging on for dear life all winter, I didn't know what to expect it being in the mint family and all. I'm hoping I can get this out into the garden once things warm up.

 

[Sproaty]

I've decided to turn my (grassy) garden into a vegetable garden! I grew some tomatoes and chard in 2024 which were okay - chard grew well as I planted some existing plants from a friend, and I was given a small tomato plant that I kept on my windowsill and didn't nurture it enough, so it wasn't in the best place when I eventually planted it in the ground (far too late)
I actually enjoyed the process of watching them grow more than when it came to harvesting! I've never eaten such sweet tomatoes though, wow
I've never grown anything from seed but a friend has offered to help out with the garden and starting it all off, so I'm looking forward to at least giving it a good go,
My garden is north facing unfortunately but it does get decent light in the warmer months. I have about 30 different types of seeds for various veg and herbs

 

[Mr.P]

I actually enjoyed the process of watching them grow more than when it came to harvesting!

💯%

 

[Saudalhajri]

that looks like a mustard plant in that photo for sure. But there are a few differences that set them apart. it does have a generally similar pattern to the divided leaves but in this case that's not enough to identify it. There are some subtle differences in the texture and the leaf margins with the mustard having a more rough slight crenellated texture, the lettuce being a bit smoother.

I circled the place in the picture where you can see the latex starting to brown up on a cut leaf.View attachment 53073

you're right it is indeed wild lettuce, i broke a leaf and it was milky. Its starting to grow upward now.

 

[Mr.P]

you're right it is indeed wild lettuce, i broke a leaf and it was milky. Its starting to grow upward now.

It's amazing how plants from different lineages develop pretty similar strategies for surviving, and end up looking quite similar in the leafy parts in spite of pretty big differences in terms of their reproductive structures.

 

[Mr.P]

Indoor patchouli plant is looking good - eager for spring so i can get it outdoors. Maybe i should start taking cuttings...

 

[Saudalhajri]

Moringa blooming this morning

The leaf : flower ratio is way too low, need to figure out how to prune it

 

[Don]

So, I actually just bought myself an A. Crassna tree! Seems they are finally being made available to the public. I'd love some tips on how to grow? This is purely for the love of growing unusual and rare plants. Not for any real desire of making my own oud (although that would be very cool). I live in sub-tropical Queensland Australia. Any ideas on what would be the best conditions for the tree to grow?

Agarwood Tree | All Rare Herbs

Agarwood Tree (Aquilaria crassna) is a prized medicinal and aromatic tree known by many names, including Eaglewood, Aloeswood, Gaharu, Oud, Agar Tree, Ca...

allrareherbs.com.au

Nice going! This is one of the few threads mentioning growing agarwood as a hobbyist (not a plantation), and it just so happens I have 3 Aquilaria crassna specimens growing indoors under lights (I live in Canada, so year-round outdoor cultivation is not possible). I purchased 50+ fresh seeds almost 2 years ago, but they are so short-lived that after 2 weeks of transit (plus presumably a short period of post-harvest storage by the supplier) only 3 seeds germinated. I still consider myself fortunate to have them, and I plan to order more seeds this coming season.

As for soil and growing tips, this comes to you 6 months late but here's what I've learned:
-SOIL - Prefers moist but well-draining soil that is nutrient-rich (e.g. compost); they can grow in moderate levels of heavy clay and nutritionally-poor soils, but good drainage is best;
-LIGHT - Seedlings require shade until well-established; after that, established plants/trees can be grown in full sun or semi-shade;
-HUMIDITY - Plants prefer high humidity, if available (personal note: mine are grown exclusively indoors, and appear to tolerate typical indoor levels of 30-40% RH.)
-WATER - Plants prefer consistent rainfall throughout the year, or regular watering (especially younger saplings);
-PRUNING - Light pruning is recommended, to promote a strong trunk and branches as well as good overall tree form;
-FEEDING - Organic fertilizers are preferred, with good N levels for younger plants then transitioning to a more balanced organic fertilizer for older trees so as not to over-apply N while under-supplying other macro-/micro-nutrients that are important to root and wood development.

I recently had to defoliate my indoor plants and soap-spray them for spider mites, then I'll do a pruning (and try to root some cuttings??) and let them leaf out again. Then I'll post a new thread to show them here, and later some seed/seedling pics, in case others are interested in the idea of growing agarwood as a houseplant. I am also growing a range of other incense-relevant potted plants - including frankincense, myrrh, several copal species including palo santo, dragon's blood, atlas pistachio, gum arabic, and sandalwood. It's a fun hobby, and I plan to try selling live plants starting this year (domestic sales only).

Anyway, good luck with your crassna!

Don

 

[Olfactory Nomad]

Nice going! This is one of the few threads mentioning growing agarwood as a hobbyist (not a plantation), and it just so happens I have 3 Aquilaria crassna specimens growing indoors under lights (I live in Canada, so year-round outdoor cultivation is not possible). I purchased 50+ fresh seeds almost 2 years ago, but they are so short-lived that after 2 weeks of transit (plus presumably a short period of post-harvest storage by the supplier) only 3 seeds germinated. I still consider myself fortunate to have them, and I plan to order more seeds this coming season.

As for soil and growing tips, this comes to you 6 months late but here's what I've learned:
-SOIL - Prefers moist but well-draining soil that is nutrient-rich (e.g. compost); they can grow in moderate levels of heavy clay and nutritionally-poor soils, but good drainage is best;
-LIGHT - Seedlings require shade until well-established; after that, established plants/trees can be grown in full sun or semi-shade;
-HUMIDITY - Plants prefer high humidity, if available (personal note: mine are grown exclusively indoors, and appear to tolerate typical indoor levels of 30-40% RH.)
-WATER - Plants prefer consistent rainfall throughout the year, or regular watering (especially younger saplings);
-PRUNING - Light pruning is recommended, to promote a strong trunk and branches as well as good overall tree form;
-FEEDING - Organic fertilizers are preferred, with good N levels for younger plants then transitioning to a more balanced organic fertilizer for older trees so as not to over-apply N while under-supplying other macro-/micro-nutrients that are important to root and wood development.

I recently had to defoliate my indoor plants and soap-spray them for spider mites, then I'll do a pruning (and try to root some cuttings??) and let them leaf out again. Then I'll post a new thread to show them here, and later some seed/seedling pics, in case others are interested in the idea of growing agarwood as a houseplant. I am also growing a range of other incense-relevant potted plants - including frankincense, myrrh, several copal species including palo santo, dragon's blood, atlas pistachio, gum arabic, and sandalwood. It's a fun hobby, and I plan to try selling live plants starting this year (domestic sales only).

Anyway, good luck with your crassna!

Don

Thanks for your reply mate. Well done on that plant collection. Quite envious. From reading your post it seems I've been ticking all the right boxes for its growing environment. It's been in the ground now all summer and doing well.

 

[Mr.P]

excited to discover quite a bit of Angelica in my yard this year, this is a wild local variety called Angelica astropurpurea - big fat roots with a classic rich Angelica bouquet, beautiful stuff. I've been trying for two years to get this growing, collected seed from the local swamp and it's finally working out here. This is also my second year for Clary Sage and it is a biennial that produces its flowers the second year so I should get a decent harvest of that to run through the extractor as well. Clary sage oil misses like 50% or more of the nuances of the fresh flowers, I'm wondering if I can make some kind of a special extraction.

This should be a good summer for fragrance.

 

[Mr.P]

Three varieties of tobacco here for the yard this year. Larger pot has burley seedlings, Nicotiana tabacum, bottom left is Nicotiana alata - absolutely gorgeous narcotic smelling flowers that attract moths at night and scent the entire yard. Bottom right is Nicotiana rustica, aka Aztec tobacco and also I am pretty sure the same species as Turkish tobacco, I need to research that to confirm

 

[Don]

Thanks for your reply mate. Well done on that plant collection. Quite envious. From reading your post it seems I've been ticking all the right boxes for its growing environment. It's been in the ground now all summer and doing well.

I'm glad you saw my belated comment, and that's great your little tree is in the ground and doing well. I've heard that Australia has been doing well at filling the sandalwood shortage, seems like you've got a good climate for a lot of incense species down there! Haha, and yes growing these types of aromatic plants has become a bit of an affliction for me, but it's both fascinating and rewarding too isn't it. This spring I'm going to try galbanum outdoors, and hopefully I can get it to survive the winter! Won't that be a trip... Cheers.

 

[Olfactory Nomad]

I'm glad you saw my belated comment, and that's great your little tree is in the ground and doing well. I've heard that Australia has been doing well at filling the sandalwood shortage, seems like you've got a good climate for a lot of incense species down there! Haha, and yes growing these types of aromatic plants has become a bit of an affliction for me, but it's both fascinating and rewarding too isn't it. This spring I'm going to try galbanum outdoors, and hopefully I can get it to survive the winter! Won't that be a trip... Cheers.

Fantastic! Yes, it's all good fun. If I had started with these about a decade ago I could reasonably expect to give them a go at harvesting but you know what they say about planting for the future. I've also got a young Santalum Album and a young Santalum Spictum. Both doing well planted next to an Acacia Acuminata. This will be their first winter so fingers crossed they handle it. We don't get frost here in QLD so they should be right.