Success with growing kratom Trees in US

Hi there,

I am new to this forum and permaculture, so please if I say anything wrong, be patient with me!
I am looking to start a somewhat harvestable Kratom tree farm, and would like to also incorporate a food forest type environment. We are looking at a property that is currently an abandonded palm tree farm. There is no irrigation and the previous owners bought a year ago and have no idea how long since they have been fertilized etc.
So the two options are put in drip irrigation, only plant kratom trees on the 22 acres, or create some sort of food forest along with the kratom trees.

A little about my background, I own two kava bars, hence the kratom farm. I understand it most likely wont be a cash crop so much as getting our peeps to be able to see, touch and feel the plants that have given so much to all of us. Eventually I would like to incorporate kava as well. To me, the return to plant medicine and nature is so important for our society and I want to be a part of it. So essentially if I could create a place where people could gather and eat from nature, be it fruits or medicinal plants that is my dream. Because most of society never even sees where their food comes from. I want to change that. Anyways I also have zero experience in any of this, and yes the idea is to hire someone who does! but for now more of a research phase.

Does anybody have any experience growing Kava or Kratom in food forest or conventionally in southern Florida?

Thank you!

I found your post while doing some research of my own. I was wondering if you had any luck on your quest? as I’m on a somewhat similar quest here in Oklahoma. From my understanding I will need to do a greenhouse grow as I’m not in a good zone for kratom trees. If you do wind up seeing this and have any info or can point me in the right direction please reach out. I would greatly appreciate it. My email is
blaylockjacey2009@gmail.com

I'm not the original poster but I have tried to grow kratom trees in Central Florida. We are not an ideal zone but kind of borderline. I purchased seedlings from a company call Tree of Life Kratom, which specialized in trees rather than actual kratom for personal use.

I believe I started several seedlings, I managed to get one to take root and it grew for a couple of years, I know it lasted at least through one winter, but even though it was covered a cold snap killed it off. I am in 9b and it was marginal for me so all I can say is Oklahoma would absolutely need a green house grow. But it's my understanding kratom trees can get pretty large so I don't know how practical that would be.

I know by following the instructions that came with the seedlings I was able to get them to take root and grow without any problem, and I am far from an experienced plant person. So I think the temperature is going to be your real consideration.