Samples were prepared by soaking plant material in a mixture of aqueous NH₃ and MTBE to isolate relatively nonpolar compounds.

Extracts were applied to unmodified 60 Å non-fluorescent silica plates and developed using a mobile phase consisting of IPA and aqueous NH₃.

With careful specimen selection, some plants produced remarkably clean chromatographic profiles, approaching near single-constituent extracts in which one major alkaloid dominates while others are present only in trace amounts.

Gramine and β-carboline and 5-MeO-DMT content can be minimized through by careful selection.

These samples were preselected for clean profiles and sourced within the r/Phalaris community.

Image 1
Phalaris samples under 275 nm while still wet with mobile phase.
Non-methoxylated tryptamines exhibit royal blue fluorescence.

Image 2
Samples under 275 nm after drying.
Methoxylated tryptamines exhibit green fluorescence.

Image 3
Samples under 365 nm after drying.
β-carbolines exhibit green to cyan fluorescence.

Image 4
MHRB and Psychotria viridis dilution series under 275 nm while wet with mobile phase.

Image 5
MHRB and Psychotria viridis under 275 nm after drying.
Methoxylated tryptamines exhibit green fluorescence.

Image 6
MHRB and Psychotria viridis under 365 nm after drying.
β-carbolines exhibit green to cyan fluorescence.

After years of dedicated selection and stabilization, we are opening an exchange for our advanced Phalaris aquatica breeding lines.

The Breeding Journey

Year 1: Selection & Isolation

We screened multiple Phalaris species for phytochemical potential. P. aquatica emerged as the clear winner due to its clean profile, high biomass yield, genetic diversity, and vigorous adaptability to various climates. We isolated the top-performing wild specimens to begin our lineage.

Year 2: Genetic Crossing

We acquired 20 distinct wild accessions. After rigorous testing, we identified that only 10% met our potency requirements for DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. These elite individuals were crossed to create our F1 generation.

Year 3: Stabilization & Optimization

Current F1 testing shows a 90% high-yield success rate. Our most potent outliers are now 70% stronger than the highest-testing wild populations. Interestingly we have successfully selected against Gramine; metabolic precursors are now increasingly diverted toward the desired synthesis pathways.

Current Phenotype Groups

We are currently stabilizing three distinct chemotypes:

1. pure DMT
2. DMT & 5-MeO-DMT
3. pure 5-MeO-DMT

Seed Exchange Program (August 2026)

These seeds represent a significant leap in Phalaris breeding—cleaner and more potent than any commercially available or wild seed. I do not sell these seeds, they are too rare.

How to participate:

I am looking for serious collaborators who meet one of the following criteria:

• The Breeder: You have the equipment and knowledge to continue the selection process (Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) or similar analytical capabilities are required).
• The Collector: You can source and provide wild-harvested P. aquatica seeds from unique geographical locations to expand our genetic library.

Get in Touch:

If you want to join the project, need assistance setting up TLC for selection, or have wild P. aquatica growing in your region, please reach out via DM.

This season’s workflow saw several key upgrades to our TLC testing, focusing on sample prep efficiency and high-precision digital analysis. We shifted toward a more robust extraction method and integrated custom hardware for both sample loading and data acquisition.

1. Sample Preparation & Extraction

To ensure a high concentration of target analytes, we refined the extraction ratio and alkaline environment.

• Protocol: 25 mg of desiccated leaf tissue is submerged in 1.0 mL of Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).
• Alkalization: 3 drops of aqueous ammonia are added to facilitate the release of free-base alkaloids.
• Duration: Following a period of vigorous mechanical agitation, the samples are left to macerate for 8 hours to reach extraction equilibrium.

2. Precision Spotting

We moved away from manual capillary spotting to achieve better resolution and reproducibility.

• Hardware: A custom piezoelectric TLC loader was developed, utilizing a modified piezo buzzer as the micro-dispensing head.
• Result: This allows for the application of narrow, uniform "lines" rather than erratic spots, significantly reducing band broadening during development.

3. Chromatography Parameters

We opted for a straightforward, high-polarity mobile phase to suit our specific chemical targets.

• Stationary Phase: Unmodified 60Å Silica Gel (non-fluorescent) TLC plates.
• Mobile Phase: Isopropanol (IPA) and 25% aqueous ammonia in a 12:1 ratio.
• Method: Ascending development in a saturated chamber.

4. Digital Imaging & Fluorescence Induction

The most significant leap was in our detection and quantification setup. By bypassing standard consumer cameras, we gained much better raw data control.

• Sensor Logic: Plates are imaged using an IMX462 back-illuminated sensor. This sensor is particularly effective due to its high near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity and low noise floor.
• Processing: Raw data is pulled directly from the Bayer array via MIPI-CSI onto a Raspberry Pi, allowing us to process the signal without aggressive compression artifacts.
• Excitation: Dual-wavelength UV LEDs are used to induce fluorescence:
  • 275 nm: For short-wave excitation of primary aromatics.
  • 365 nm: For long-wave fluorescence of conjugated systems.

In the image, you see two P. aquatica seedlings. Same age, same breeding line, both from high-yielding parents—and now waiting to be tested.

The description is similar, but they couldn’t be more different.

One originates from an open-pollinated DMT high-yielder of Persian origin, the other from a 5-MeO-DMT high-yielder from Tunisia.

• One is small, slow-growing, with thin, almost spike-like leaves, staying close to the ground
• The other is fast-growing, with broad, upright leaves and a much more vigorous appearance

This kind of contrast perfectly illustrates the level of variation you get when recombining genetics from unrelated wild accessions.

And I’m convinced this won’t just show up in morphology—their alkaloid profiles are likely just as different. Within this population, we’ll probably see everything from low-yielders to high-yielders, and maybe even entirely new, previously unseen profiles.

I’ve been working on handling very small fluid volumes for chromatography. Once you get into the microliter range, surface tension starts to dominate and things get… weird. Precise deposition becomes critical for reliable results.

So I built a simple inkjet-style droplet system using a $1 piezoelectric speaker.

The first image shows the circuit I just put together to drive the piezo. It generates controlled high-voltage pulses (~250 V peak-to-peak see second image) from a 12 V supply and can be triggered with standard 3.3 V / 5 V logic signals. I also added some basic protection to prevent unstable behavior if the input signal glitches.

For positioning, I’m using a stepper-driven linear stage to move the piezo element.

What it can do:

Deposit droplets of defined size

Control droplet frequency

Precisely place them at specific locations

Run programmed deposition sequences

In the third image you can see a thin stream of droplets in action.

So essentially, it’s like an inkjet printer—but you can swap the “ink” instantly between samples.

In the last image, you can see a developed plate. The fluorescent spots correspond to tryptamines and beta-carbolines in a P. aquatica sample.

Honestly, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out—especially considering that i payed $50 while comparable systems (like HPTLC autosamplers) cost $10k-50k 😄

I hope you like it too.