India is full of stories in its mythology. These stories have been passed on through generations to our society and have helped us to protect plants and animals as the religion is attached with them. Today I am going to share you such story of Tree of Sorrow or Night Blooming Jasmine or Coral Jasmine.
Coral jasmine has its mention since Samudra Manthana in Indian mythology. Harivansha Purana, one of the oldest scriptures of Hindu religion has mentioned about Parijat. This is the flowering plant which was gifted by Lord Krishna to his wife Satyabhama. This plant he brought from heaven from Lord Indra. But coincidentally flowers of it fell into the premises of his another wife Rukmini. Also there is one story of princess. It is said that there was a princess called “Parijat”. She had affection or love on Sun. But despite of her efforts, Sun has not accepted her love. Due to which she got upset and she did suicide. From the ashes of her, the tree emerged which is called as Parijat or Coral Jasmine. Therefore, it is said that this tree cries out in night, but after sunrise, its branches and leaves are pointing towards sun so that she can embrace her lover, the sun in her arms.
Apart from mythological importance, this plant has certain medicinal properties. In ancient Indian science of medicine, Ayurveda, Parijat is used for heart diseases, chronic fever, febrifuge, cough, arthritis, and chickenguniya.
Biggest Parijat or Coral Jasmine Tree in India
Actually, this plant grows to around 10-12 feet in height. However, in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, there is small village called Boroliya (in Tal. Ramnagar, Dist. Barabanki). In this village, there is huge tree of parijat which is around 50 feet wide and 45 feet tall.
Peculiar feature of this plant is that once its branches are grown, they tend to bend towards ground and once they touch the soil, they get dried. This plant has various varieties in India. Usually, this plant shows flowering in rainy season, but annually flowering varieties are also available.
Parijat flowers have four to eight petals which are arranged above a vibrant orange tube in peculiar pinwheel pattern. Highly fragrant flowers of parijat, open usually after sunset, and fully bloom at around 8 pm in night spreading their sweet aroma in area surrounding it. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is botanical name of this plant. As its flowers fall off in night, it is called as tree of sorrow. In India, this is the only flower, which is offered to god despite of being fallen on the ground.
Parijat grows below Himalayan line of India, and even in Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand. Parijat flower is state flower of Indian state of West Bengal. Although this plant is not grown commercially, house gardeners are always eager to cultivate it due to its peculiar aroma.
Now you will be surprised to know how I have cultivated this beautiful plant in my balcony garden. Since last 2 years, I have grown this plant in my balcony and every day almost 15 to 20, and in some days 40 to 50 flowers are blooming to this plant. Let us see how we can grow this plant in pot culture.
How to do potting of Coral Jasmine?
Coral Jasmine is grown in a wide range of soils. Well-drained soil with river sand in its composition, is ideal soil for this plant. In the 8 inch pot to 20 inch pot, you can grow Parijat easily. Take pot of either clay or plastic. Drill around 5 to 6 holes at bottom of pot for better drainage of water. Excess water is harmful for plant. After this, spread layer of stones or medium sized river sand. Then add mixture of fine river sand, black soil, vermi compost or compost, etc. After this, remove the plant from plastic bag which you got from nursery and without disturbing roots, keep on the layer mentioned above in pot. Then add soil, fine river sand, cocopeat, cowdung manure or compost, vermicompost, from sides of plant and fill the pot. Keep at least 1 inch distance from top of pot and soil so that water spillage will not occur.
Re-potting
Before every rainy season, you need to re-pot plant every year. During this, change the soil and river sand completely. You can also selectively trim the short roots of plant. After this, add cow dung manure or compost so that flowering will begin early. I have plant of Parijat in 8 inches pot. You can also make bonsai of this plant.
Sunlight and Climate
Climate is most important factor. Since this plant is originated from tropical zone, hot climate is favorable to grow Parijat in pot or ground. In order to get best bloom you should place it where sunlight of minimum 4 hours and maximum 8 hours is available. In summer season, you can keep plant for 4 hours in sun and after that you can keep it in shade. If plant receive less than 4 hours of sunlight it will end up with few flowers or no flowers
Watering
Your Coral Jasmine will need daily watering in warm weather. If standing or clogged water is there, then its greatest enemy of this plant. If excess water is given to plant then this damages root system of plant and roots will die due to fungal and bacterial infection and ultimately plant dies. Periodic deep watering is essential for plant to grow.
Pruning and Trimming
Along with watering, judicious pruning is sufficient for this plant to give bloom. The plant needs trimming as the shoots grow in different directions. It is always a better decision to grow this plant in garden wherein few hours of direct sunlight along with shade in a day.
Fertilizers
This plant is easy to grow. Ample amount of well decomposed compost, and vermi compost are sufficient for this plant to bloom. However, if you want flowers then use potassium based fertilizers or use onion peel or banana peel fertilizer. If still blooming does not starts, then add bonemeal fertilizer, which is rich in phosphorous.
Pests management
White flies, leaf minor, mites, and aphids are common pests attacking this plant. White flies is major concern for this plant. Easiest way to get rid of them is washing plant regularly with strong water sprayer mist. You can also use spray of Neem oil and handwash or soap to counteract many such pests.
Growing new babies of Parijat
Parijat or Coral Jasmine can be easily grown from air layering, cuttings, and seeds. Seeds taken from Parijat should be dried so that they are brown in color. Soak these seeds in water for 2-3 hours and after this, you can plant them in soil mixed with river sand. This will take around 15 days to germinate. You can also make new babies of this plant from cuttings. Soak cuttings for 7 days in water and then once callus starts appearing, plant them in soil. It will take a month to grow roots. Flowering will start in 6 to 8 months to this plant.
Important tips:
As this plant grows quickly and also in terms of height, use bigger size pot while planting.
Selective pruning and trimming is required regularly to maintain the plant in proper shape
Re-poting is needed every year for this plant.
Fertilizers such as Onion peel and banana peel fertilizer are important for more flowering.
Use of cow dung manure or compost and vermi compost will provide good blooming to this plant.
So friends, why are you waiting. Start growing this sweet scented flower today itself.
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