THE ALCHEMIST GARDEN - JULY

STORIES FROM OUR SANCTUARY

A compilation of my notes, research and observations from my sanctuary. 

An opportunity to remember, reflect, observe, and mindfully learn from our mutually platonic relationship with Mama earth.

PASSIONATE

Our passionflora opened up yesterday to reveal its hypnotic, beautiful interior. Passion flowers are an intricate kaleidoscope of enticing colour.

The name:

The passion flower is often used to symbolise events in the last hours of the life of Christ. Passionflowers feature five sepals, five petals, two thin rings above the reproductive organs, five stamens, and three stigmas. These features have been used since the 1500s as symbols in Christianity to tell the story of Christ's crucifixion - commonly referred to as "The Passion." The five sepals and five petals represent 10 of Jesus' 12 apostles, excluding Peter and Judas who denounced Christ just before his crucifixion.

The two filament rings above the reproductive ornaments symbolise the crown of thorns. The five stamens represent Jesus' wounds, while the three stigmas symbolise the three nails used to hold Jesus on the cross. The climbing tendrils symbolise the leather whips

TOXIC TOMATES?

People used to be afraid to eat tomatoes, thinking that they were poisonous due to their relation to belladonna/deadly nightshade plant. (Solanaceae family)

Luckily, around 500 BC they were domesticated by Aztecs and used not only as food, but also as a hallucinogenic.

Due to this toxic myth, I think many people still avoid eating the leaves of this nutritional plant and maybe why they are never sold in supermarkets.

They are toxic because they do contain toxic alkaloids, including tomatine and solanine. However they are not toxic enough to poison you unless you consume them in very large quantities. (An adult would have to consume around 450g of tomato leaves to become sick!) Unripened green tomatoes also have these alkaloids but reduce as they ripen.

There appears to be no risk in consuming tomato leaves in moderate quantities so it would be something I would like to try, I just won’t overdo it!

PICK AS YOU GROW

Some are fruiting and some are flowering. It's great having them at different stages as it means we can harvest over a longer period of time.

THE RICH ONE

Coriandrum sativum - known in India as dhanya which means “the rich one” is most deserving of its name because of its many culinary and medicinal uses.

Coriander seeds were a common ingredient in love potions in the Middle Ages and were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Coriander has the tendency to immediately start wilting as soon as it comes out the shop bought packet. That's why I was adamant to grow my own in plentiful supply. It grew abundantly and quickly.

This herb and its seed is great for digestion and the skin. Many people say it tastes of soap. To me, it's an essential part of any good curry. 💚

BOLTED KALE

This summer our kale went to seed. We have managed to successfully harvest so many leaves from this single plant over the past couple of years. We happily collected the hundreds of seeds that shook out the pods, ready for the next installment of delicious, nutritious, hearty greens. To collect the ripe seeds, kale pods need to be light brown and dry. We already planted a few of the seeds and they've started to germinate. The rest I've popped in an envelope, to distribute amongst family and save for future seasons.

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