The Mother Tree GeoCache by HootieMcGrudy Traditional Cache
The Mother Tree GeoCache by HootieMcGrudy
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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The Mother Tree GeoCache! This cache has Mother Tree Seeds in it, and is here to trade seeds for exotic plants that can be grown indoors. PLEASE ONLY TRADE SEEDS OF PLANTS THAT ARE LEGAL TO GROW IN THE US AND NY STATE!
The HootieMcGrudy family has had a Mother Tree, Erythrina Berteroana (pronounced er-ith-RY-na), for over 12 years! We grew it from a seed that we got in a Rainforest seed pack from the Buffalo Zoo when our oldest was about 2 years old.
We thought it might be fun to have a Mother Tree cache, where others can try their hand in growing this wonderful little tree, and as an open forum for people to share their favorite plants with others.
You don't have to leave any seeds in exchange, but if you do, please be so kind as to label them, and then include instructions in your log for planting and growing so others can share in your favorite plant.
Please take only one seed unless you are trading seeds. Please notify us if you take the last remaining seed in the cache, or if the number of seeds is getting low.
There is an interesting story behind the Mother Tree:
We have had a Mother Tree for about 12 years. It grows fairly quickly with proper care. It nearly died on us due to improper potting (poor drainage). The roots practically disintegrated and it was down to just a few shoots on a withered looking stalk about 5 feet tall. Be sure you keep it in a pot that allows for good drainage. Can be kept indoors years round in full light, though I highly recommend keeping it outdoors during the summer in full sunlight!
From July through August this summer, by keeping it outdoors in full sunlight, it really comes to life! We are learning more on this wonderful plant as we go along.
The seeds are reported to be somewhat poisonous, so adult supervision please, don't let children put these in their mouth or swallow them. They are reported to be narcotic with curare-like properties. Used by natives to subdue fish for ease of catching. Natives use flowers and leaves to prepare some meals. keeping seeds or flowers or leaves under one's pillow is thought to make one sleep well.
More information like this can be found at:
(visit link)
We water it often, short of keeping the soil completely damp, but it does well when kept moist.
Some other interesting facts: Used as a living fence in certain countries for agricultural purposes. Many folk remedy uses. Also called Coral Bean, among other names. Our plant is currently about 6' tall, but reports say it can reach 10 meters in height! (But will grow to the pot or container you have it in indoors, so don't worry about it going through your ceiling).
Called "The Mother Tree" because it "Mother's" certain plants in its native Central American region, like cocoa, coffee and vanilla plants, shading them from the harsh sun and letting just the right amount of light through.
This plant is very hardy and fun to have around (for a plant). Heck, if we couldn't kill it, nothing can :)
The red blossoms it sports are said to be very attractive to hummingbirds!
Please take only 1 Mother Tree seed, unless you are adding some seeds to the cache. Please notify us if you take the last seed in the cache via email through Geocaching.com, or by adding a "needs maintenance" log.
Here are the instructions for germination and growing:
1. Nick the seed on both sides to expose the white underneath the reddish cover. You can use a razor knife (ADULT SUPERVISION PLEASE), or you can rub the side of the seed against some sand paper to wear away a small hole in the outer cover.
2 (Optional) Soak the seed in hydrogen peroxide for 10-15 minutes.
3. Soak the seed in fresh water for 24 hours.
4. Plant the seed approximately 1/2 to 1" down in some quality planting soil and cover. Can start with a small starter/seedling pot, but transfer to a 5-6" pot once it grows a second tier of leaves.
5. Keep soil moist, but not damp. Make sure it is planted in a pot with good drainage. As you progress to a larger pot, you may want to put a 1-2" layer of gravel down in the bottom of the pot and then put your soil on top of that.
6. Feed some high quality plant food/fertilizer 1-2 times per month.
7. Enjoys full light indoors.
8. Can keep outside once it stays warmer than 60 degrees or so at night. Hardy outside all year in zones 10 and up.
Please feel free to leave some seeds for your favorite plant in the cache in exchange!
We have confirmation that these seeds are sometimes kept in frozen storage, so they will easily tolerate staying in the cache through winter. If you are going to leave seeds, you may want to find out if they will tolerate cold temperatures, and if not, maybe check the cache before winter and remove them for safe keeping til spring if no one has taken or exchanged them.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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