Lesson 1 notes

• Dandelions
  • Objectives
    • hold an intellectual discussion
    • comfortable getting hands dirty
    • prepare for another year
  • Practical
    • plant diary
      • cover page
        • common name, latin name, your name, date started, date finished, picture/sketch of the plant
      • Plant profile
        • other names, native habitat, special growing instructions, properties of the plant before growing
      • Diary/Reflection
        • every 2-3 days
        • reflect on the growing process
          • how is it doing
          • how to take care of it
          • properties observed
            • change in room's energy
            • nearby plants affected?
          • sketch each stage or significant change (optional)
    • actual growing
      • Planting
        • gather
          • small cup,soil, fertilizer (3 salt crystals), 1-3 seeds, water
        • prepare
          • holes in bottom of cup, put on a small saucer, 2/3rd to 4/5th full of soil, add salt
        • Seeding
          • plant an odd number
            • primes better, 1,3,5,7, etc
          • make a wish
            • say it 3 times
            • increased potency
        • water
          • rain or melting snow best
          • cover seed and salt. soil at moderate dampness
        • grow
          • keep water level consistent, full sunlight.
  • Muggles know it
    • still has magical properties
    • grants wishes by spreading the seeds
  • taraxacum magianale
  • perennial herb
  • temperate climates
    • adapts to extreme climates
  • spreads easily
  • growth
    • 1-12 cm above the ground, but can be taller
    • leaves are 5-25 cm long, but can be longer
  • named for its leaves
    • resemblance to lions teeth
  • yellow flower
    • 2-5 cm
    • opens in the morning and closes in the evening (or when the sky darkens)
    • at its peek growth, the flower turns into a seed head
  • Known to bring nutrients to the top of the soil
  • adds nitrogen and some minerals
  • holds loose soil together
  • leaves and stems have high latex content
    • possible allergic reactions
    • wear dragon-hide gloves
  • consuming
    • high vitamin and mineral content
      • A,B,C,D,E,K, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium
    • do not eat leaves that have been in contact with herbicides/pesticides
    • blanch/cook the leaves or they will be bitter
    • adds flavor
      • used in soup, salad, tea and wine
  • Medical
    • treatment of
      • inflammation of the tonsils
      • upset stomach
      • boils
      • diarrhea and flatulence
    • leaves are a diuretic
    • stimulates appetite
  • Do not use! or consult a Herbologist/Apothecary
    • if you are pregnant or nursing
    • have diabetes
      • lowers the blood sugar
    • are on blood thinning meds
    • allergic to ragweed, daisies, or others in this family
    • children
      • too strong for system

Planting: consider sun, soil, plant's specifications, reactions to magic,

pH: use the pH revealing charm to find
acidic: below 7, use dragon dung, Acidity Augmenter, sulphur, nitrogen, peat, mulch
alkaline: above 7, Creta's Certified Alkaline Fertilizer, lime, wood ash

Moonclaf dung: gently increases nutrients, good for finicky or damaged plants, does not chage the pH

Sun: The darkening charm to give shade to those that need it or place under taller specimens.

The Darkening charm
Obscetus
Ob-SKEH-toos
A line drawn up the stem of the plant
Willpower dependent on the area and number of plants
Concentration is medium

Water: no spells, pure water, drainage (add drainage holes to the bottom of containers)

Place seed, bulb, cutting, or plant into the ground and cover.