Sowing Sadadhatura (Datura metel)

Instructions for sowing and germinating sadadhatura S5140.

Sadadhatura is easy to raise from seeds. We sow in seedboxes filled with a commercial soilless sowing medium about 3-4 mm deep. We provide bottom heat of 27-30 degrees Celsius. The seeds begin germinating in 1 week and may continue for another 2-3 weeks until germination is complete. We never need to apply special treatments, although one reference does recommend soaking the seeds for 12 hours in water followed by 2-3 rinses with water before sowing. Once seedlings are 5-10 cm tall we transplant to pots. Sadadhatura, like other Datura species, requires full sun.
In India where the plant is grown commercially on farms, seeding is done in March, sowing in rows 1 metre apart. The seedlings are thinned to 70-90 cm apart within the rows.