Mandatory mandrakes (Was: Albus Dumbledore: the myth and the man)

[a_reader2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 97407

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" 
<justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> Seriously, I think each year's crop of mandrakes gives up its life 
to science, Hogwarts style. So Madam Pomfrey would have to order new 
baby mandrakes every year, but off the page because Harry wouldn't be 
aware of it. 
> 

Carolyn:
As a keen gardener myself, I don't think this is necessarily the 
case. The classic summer/autumn routine is to save seed from your 
favourite plants for next year. Generally, this involves picking the 
seed pods, drying out the seed and storing it in envelopes, but 
(ahem), possibly we shouldn't delve too deep into the mechanics of 
this in the case of mandrakes, even though this is an adult 
discussion group. Another (painful) possibility is the taking of 
cuttings - again a common gardening technique to increase your stock 
plants, or to over-winter potentially tender outdoor plants.

Even if Prof Sprout doesn't do this (and I have to say she appears 
brutally capable!), someone somewhere in the WW nursery business must 
be using these techniques to ensure a continued supply. 

Herbology would appear to get much more interesting in 6th and 7th 
year.