Lesson One
Review of Elementary Herbology
Material may be on the final.
This is the first question you must be able to answer before you can even begin to learn about the many magical plants that exist. Herbology is the study of magical plants and fungi, including their care and their magical properties and uses. Some magical plants form important ingredients in potions; others have magical effects in their own right. There are plants with magical capabilities all over the globe; you just have to know where to look.
There are two types of plants that you will learn about in this course. The first types of plants are called, simply, magical plants. These are the more basic, magical plants that are found all over the magical world. However, muggles do have plants.
Those are called mundane plants. Mundane plants are plants that grow mostly in the muggle community, but have magical powers. Alihotsy, Scurvy Grass, and Wolfsbane are all considered mundane.
Ministry Classifications.
Material may be on the final.
The Ministry of Magic has created a scale, much like the Creatures one, to help classify plants. Instead of X's, they have started using H's.
H: Uninteresting.
HH: Can be found within the home and generally harmless.
HHH: Shouldn't be handled unless fully trained.
HHHH: Only skilled Herbologist should handle.
HHHHH: Has been know to kill magical and muggle folk.
plant families. Material will NOT be on the mid-term or final.
Like many things on the biology scale, plants have families, or genera (genus), that they can attribute their characteristics to. For example, it is believed that Flitterbloom & Devil's Snare come from the same family of constrictive plants. While Flitterbloom doesn't have the mean streak of Devil's Snare, they share appearances. These will be discussed sporadically throughout the term, but are covered in more depth after study at Hogwarts (if Herbology is your path).
Five-Step Care Plan.
Material will be on the final.
Plants have (and not to go totally tree huggers unite but) feelings as much as humans do. You might not be able to hear what they are truly understand how they feel, but the feel like any pet you might have. However, if the above seems a little strange to you, think about the last plant you had to repot or freshly plant. Did you treat the plant with care? If you did then you understand what I am discussing. But I bet most of those plants ended up dying, right? I have developed a five-step program that we will use during the course and I welcome you to use in your life.
Professor Shukurova’s Five Steps to Proper Plant Care
Course Supplies.
Material will be on the final.
When you enter the greenhouses, you need a certain amount of supplies and you need to have the exact supplies to work with the plants in the greenhouses. During the term, you will be provided with these supplies if you decide not to purchase them. However, it is my suggestion to those who want to take this branch of study seriously...buy the stuff so it's yours. Those supplies are:
Fertilizers and Composts.
Material may be on the mid-term or final or both.
For the first century of the magical world, the only compost used for plants was Dragon Dung. It was abundant and made plants grow with increased fervor. One of the biggest issue our magical ancestors found was that the smell was just way too overbearing. It was then they created Dragon Dung Compost. They found if they mixed the fertilizer with dead plants or the like it helped them grow just as well and saved their noses. Once you get pass the smell, Dragon Dung compost is probably the best choice for a beginning students. It is cheap; works well with most plants, and can be purchased in small quantities.
However, some plants don't grow fully in Dragon Dung Fertilizer. Plants like, aconite, don't really grow well in the dragon dung. Some Herbologist argue that plants pick and choose how to grow and we have no control over that. With the arrival of the creature, the mooncalf, mooncalf dung has taken the magical world by storm. The scent of the mooncalf dung isn't a strong as dragon dung. Not to mention, the amazing magical ability of mooncalf dung. When collected at the full moon (probably the ONLY time you can collect it), this substance makes magical herbs and flowers grow extremely well. The only big issue with the dung is that it is expensive. Because of the times of collection, most stores charge an arm and a leg for just a bit of the dung.
However, if you can get your hands on some use it and see how it works. So, in a way, both fertilizers have pros and cons. You will just have to use your own trial and error. And see how much you have in Gringotts.
Screechsnaps:
Material may be on the mid-term or final or both.
Ministry Classification: HH
The screechsnap is a rather gentle plant with gentle features. The plant grows from seedlings and doesn't get much bigger than the above image. If you look closely at the picture above, the seedling has some hair growing on it. As the plant grows, it will get a bit hairy. This is part of its defense mechanism.
The screechsnap growsvery well in dragon dung compost, but should be water three times a day. Please read below about the correct methods to tend to the seedlings. The screechsnap is a very vocal plant, even if you don't have the power to speak with them. If you use to much compost, the plant will wriggle and squeak until the problem is fixed. If the problem continues, the seedling can wriggle free of the compost and will leave the pot.
Material may be on the final.
This is the first question you must be able to answer before you can even begin to learn about the many magical plants that exist. Herbology is the study of magical plants and fungi, including their care and their magical properties and uses. Some magical plants form important ingredients in potions; others have magical effects in their own right. There are plants with magical capabilities all over the globe; you just have to know where to look.
There are two types of plants that you will learn about in this course. The first types of plants are called, simply, magical plants. These are the more basic, magical plants that are found all over the magical world. However, muggles do have plants.
Those are called mundane plants. Mundane plants are plants that grow mostly in the muggle community, but have magical powers. Alihotsy, Scurvy Grass, and Wolfsbane are all considered mundane.
Ministry Classifications.
Material may be on the final.
The Ministry of Magic has created a scale, much like the Creatures one, to help classify plants. Instead of X's, they have started using H's.
H: Uninteresting.
HH: Can be found within the home and generally harmless.
HHH: Shouldn't be handled unless fully trained.
HHHH: Only skilled Herbologist should handle.
HHHHH: Has been know to kill magical and muggle folk.
plant families. Material will NOT be on the mid-term or final.
Like many things on the biology scale, plants have families, or genera (genus), that they can attribute their characteristics to. For example, it is believed that Flitterbloom & Devil's Snare come from the same family of constrictive plants. While Flitterbloom doesn't have the mean streak of Devil's Snare, they share appearances. These will be discussed sporadically throughout the term, but are covered in more depth after study at Hogwarts (if Herbology is your path).
Five-Step Care Plan.
Material will be on the final.
Plants have (and not to go totally tree huggers unite but) feelings as much as humans do. You might not be able to hear what they are truly understand how they feel, but the feel like any pet you might have. However, if the above seems a little strange to you, think about the last plant you had to repot or freshly plant. Did you treat the plant with care? If you did then you understand what I am discussing. But I bet most of those plants ended up dying, right? I have developed a five-step program that we will use during the course and I welcome you to use in your life.
Professor Shukurova’s Five Steps to Proper Plant Care
- Make sure you keep the new pot [if you are repotting] close to the older one. Within the moments you remove the plant that is when the plant is most vulnerable. If you keep the second pot closer, you make it easier for the plant to coop with such a climate change and a new home.
- STICK TO ONE FERTILIZER. Don't continue to change fertilizer every time you move your plant or need to replant some plants. Each fertilizer holds its own magical properties and each time you change, you take away from what the plant is use to.
- Make sure you know what plant you are dealing with and what exactly needs to be done to take care of it. If you go into something and have no clue what you are doing, then you are just going to mess it up.
- Always assume that your plant hasn't been watered in days. If you can't remember if you watered them, it can be assumed that you didn't. Try to document each time you take care of a plant.
- And finally, remember that plants have feelings and emotions too. They aren't all as vocal as a mandrake, but they are there and aren't pleased when they are handled improperly.
Course Supplies.
Material will be on the final.
When you enter the greenhouses, you need a certain amount of supplies and you need to have the exact supplies to work with the plants in the greenhouses. During the term, you will be provided with these supplies if you decide not to purchase them. However, it is my suggestion to those who want to take this branch of study seriously...buy the stuff so it's yours. Those supplies are:
- Dragon Hide Gloves. These are the most common gloves and are pretty cheap, but they are super durable. I have a pair I use from my second year at Hogwarts! We offer these as well, many worn by those before you.
- Enchanted Earmuffs. The earmuffs for this course and for Herbology can't be regular muggle earmuffs. Likewise, the enchantment is a powerful one and can't be done by someone without the proper training. So these must be picked up at a magical clothing shop or Herbology shop. We also offer these to our students, but sometimes the enchantment wears off...these are old ya know!
- Fertilizer (Compost). There are two well known fertilizers: Dragon Dung (Fertilizer and Compost) & Mooncalf Dung Fertilizer. We will discuss those in the next section, but I can tell you we provide both, with mooncalf reserved for higher end plants.
- Greenhouse (Gardening) Robes or Apron. I would suggest both, but that is up to you. We provide both, but not enough to use both at once.
- Your Wand. Many people don't realize how much your wand can help in working with plants. Simple severing charms are much more useful on cutting weeds and tidying things up. Likewise, you never known when a plant might need to be put in its place!
Fertilizers and Composts.
Material may be on the mid-term or final or both.
For the first century of the magical world, the only compost used for plants was Dragon Dung. It was abundant and made plants grow with increased fervor. One of the biggest issue our magical ancestors found was that the smell was just way too overbearing. It was then they created Dragon Dung Compost. They found if they mixed the fertilizer with dead plants or the like it helped them grow just as well and saved their noses. Once you get pass the smell, Dragon Dung compost is probably the best choice for a beginning students. It is cheap; works well with most plants, and can be purchased in small quantities.
However, some plants don't grow fully in Dragon Dung Fertilizer. Plants like, aconite, don't really grow well in the dragon dung. Some Herbologist argue that plants pick and choose how to grow and we have no control over that. With the arrival of the creature, the mooncalf, mooncalf dung has taken the magical world by storm. The scent of the mooncalf dung isn't a strong as dragon dung. Not to mention, the amazing magical ability of mooncalf dung. When collected at the full moon (probably the ONLY time you can collect it), this substance makes magical herbs and flowers grow extremely well. The only big issue with the dung is that it is expensive. Because of the times of collection, most stores charge an arm and a leg for just a bit of the dung.
However, if you can get your hands on some use it and see how it works. So, in a way, both fertilizers have pros and cons. You will just have to use your own trial and error. And see how much you have in Gringotts.
Screechsnaps:
Material may be on the mid-term or final or both.
Ministry Classification: HH
The screechsnap is a rather gentle plant with gentle features. The plant grows from seedlings and doesn't get much bigger than the above image. If you look closely at the picture above, the seedling has some hair growing on it. As the plant grows, it will get a bit hairy. This is part of its defense mechanism.
The screechsnap growsvery well in dragon dung compost, but should be water three times a day. Please read below about the correct methods to tend to the seedlings. The screechsnap is a very vocal plant, even if you don't have the power to speak with them. If you use to much compost, the plant will wriggle and squeak until the problem is fixed. If the problem continues, the seedling can wriggle free of the compost and will leave the pot.
Lesson Two
Bouncing Bulb!
Material may be on thefinal.
Ministry Classification: HH
A Bouncing Bulb is a magical plant which jumps around if it is not restrained. Bouncing Bulbs' main stem is a disproportionate purple bulb, with a bunch of leaves growing on the top. Young Bouncing Bulbs are easy to handle, but they can grow to almost 7 feet, so please be careful! When leaping at something, the bulb is showing signs of aggression and should be subdued. Bouncing Bulbs can be aggressive when they feel threatened; they jump towards the possible attacker and try to hit it. A simple Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) could stop a young Bulb, but a mature one would require using the Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) to wither it, because it is quite strong.
Bouncing Bulbs are a necessary ingredient in the Pompion Potion, a potion which encases the drinker's head in a pumpkin. Care for the plant uses a bathtub's amount of dirt at a neutral pH level. Place the plant in a relatively bright area. Centaur Tears are best for watering.
Mimulus Mimbletonia!
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHH
Very rare, native to Assyria, this plant resembles a grey cactus, but with boils where the spines would have been. The mimbulus mimbletonia [MM] is an interesting plant and was given three x's for one reason. The pus.
If you ever purchase the above plant, the plant will remain loyal to you. At a young age, the plant throbs, rather like a human organ; as it grows older, the plant makes crooning noises when touched by its owner. However, if anyone else tries to touch it the plants boils, the boils will spew Stinksap as a defense mechanism. Stinksap is a non-poisonous liquid and is described as dark green and smelling like rancid manure.
The plant, which resembles a grey cactus with boils instead of thorns, is best housed in a separate pot and grows well with minimum water and dragon dung compost. It can be difficult to care for, so if one can do so they should feel themselves to be quite the accomplished herbologist.
Material may be on thefinal.
Ministry Classification: HH
A Bouncing Bulb is a magical plant which jumps around if it is not restrained. Bouncing Bulbs' main stem is a disproportionate purple bulb, with a bunch of leaves growing on the top. Young Bouncing Bulbs are easy to handle, but they can grow to almost 7 feet, so please be careful! When leaping at something, the bulb is showing signs of aggression and should be subdued. Bouncing Bulbs can be aggressive when they feel threatened; they jump towards the possible attacker and try to hit it. A simple Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) could stop a young Bulb, but a mature one would require using the Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) to wither it, because it is quite strong.
Bouncing Bulbs are a necessary ingredient in the Pompion Potion, a potion which encases the drinker's head in a pumpkin. Care for the plant uses a bathtub's amount of dirt at a neutral pH level. Place the plant in a relatively bright area. Centaur Tears are best for watering.
Mimulus Mimbletonia!
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHH
Very rare, native to Assyria, this plant resembles a grey cactus, but with boils where the spines would have been. The mimbulus mimbletonia [MM] is an interesting plant and was given three x's for one reason. The pus.
If you ever purchase the above plant, the plant will remain loyal to you. At a young age, the plant throbs, rather like a human organ; as it grows older, the plant makes crooning noises when touched by its owner. However, if anyone else tries to touch it the plants boils, the boils will spew Stinksap as a defense mechanism. Stinksap is a non-poisonous liquid and is described as dark green and smelling like rancid manure.
The plant, which resembles a grey cactus with boils instead of thorns, is best housed in a separate pot and grows well with minimum water and dragon dung compost. It can be difficult to care for, so if one can do so they should feel themselves to be quite the accomplished herbologist.
Lesson Three
Hellebore!
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHHH
Hellebore is a rather interesting plant in its own right. The plant is very poisionous, however, it is used in a common potion. It can also be cooked in boiling water and eaten without any side effects.
Hellebore works as a calming agent when fixed the proper way. When added with powdered moonshine, the helledore goes right to the blood stream to calm the rapid heart beating that comes with anxiety.
The plant grows well in both dragon and mooncalf dung compost. The plant grows well in the winter and spring and is actually frost-resistant.
Hellebore relieves both anixety and stress and is used in the Draught of Peace. However, it is syrup of hellebore that is used within the potion. The way to get that is to cut the plant in the middle of the stem so that the liquid inside drains out.
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHHH
Hellebore is a rather interesting plant in its own right. The plant is very poisionous, however, it is used in a common potion. It can also be cooked in boiling water and eaten without any side effects.
Hellebore works as a calming agent when fixed the proper way. When added with powdered moonshine, the helledore goes right to the blood stream to calm the rapid heart beating that comes with anxiety.
The plant grows well in both dragon and mooncalf dung compost. The plant grows well in the winter and spring and is actually frost-resistant.
Hellebore relieves both anixety and stress and is used in the Draught of Peace. However, it is syrup of hellebore that is used within the potion. The way to get that is to cut the plant in the middle of the stem so that the liquid inside drains out.
Lesson Four
Whomping Willow!
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHHHH
You can see just from the photo and classification, that this plant is no regular daisy. The Whomping Willow, housed on the grounds of Hogwarts, has been part of the rich history that surronds the school. We will discuss the tree's generous history in just a moment, but first let's discuss the plant in general.
Planted in the 1970's, the Willow grew to its vast size within a week of being planted. When planted, the tree was bewitched to attack anyone who dare come near it. The limbs can reach out to an exact measure of 20 feet. The leaves which line the branches can cut a gash in a person's skin that can cut clear to the other side.
There is, however, a way to get around the ferocious nature of the Willow. Located near the back of the tree, is a small knob. If one can get close enough, the tree will become paralyzed for a few moments. AAs mentioned above, the tree was placed on the grounds of Hogwarts in the 1970's. Many rumors have surronded the true reason why such a tree was placed on the grounds of the school. Some students, in the earlier years, believed that it was placed to scare students off from that area of the grounds. Other felt the Chamber of Secrets was beneath it.
The tree was severly damaged in 1992 when a car was driven into the tree. The tree has amazing regerative powers and was able to bounce back from such an attack. Some branches were broken from the tree. Once the branches fall from the tree, the branches lose their magical touch. Some of the wood has been used in wands before.
At one point, the Whomping Willow covered a hidden entrance to the Shrieking Shack. The passageway is still there, but be careful. It is a tough way through to the other side.
Material may be on the final.
Ministry Classification: HHHHH
You can see just from the photo and classification, that this plant is no regular daisy. The Whomping Willow, housed on the grounds of Hogwarts, has been part of the rich history that surronds the school. We will discuss the tree's generous history in just a moment, but first let's discuss the plant in general.
Planted in the 1970's, the Willow grew to its vast size within a week of being planted. When planted, the tree was bewitched to attack anyone who dare come near it. The limbs can reach out to an exact measure of 20 feet. The leaves which line the branches can cut a gash in a person's skin that can cut clear to the other side.
There is, however, a way to get around the ferocious nature of the Willow. Located near the back of the tree, is a small knob. If one can get close enough, the tree will become paralyzed for a few moments. AAs mentioned above, the tree was placed on the grounds of Hogwarts in the 1970's. Many rumors have surronded the true reason why such a tree was placed on the grounds of the school. Some students, in the earlier years, believed that it was placed to scare students off from that area of the grounds. Other felt the Chamber of Secrets was beneath it.
The tree was severly damaged in 1992 when a car was driven into the tree. The tree has amazing regerative powers and was able to bounce back from such an attack. Some branches were broken from the tree. Once the branches fall from the tree, the branches lose their magical touch. Some of the wood has been used in wands before.
At one point, the Whomping Willow covered a hidden entrance to the Shrieking Shack. The passageway is still there, but be careful. It is a tough way through to the other side.