In Indian state of Maharashtra, we celebrate Gudhi Padwa, a festival of new year celebration. I was just finished with my morning routine and I switched on television. To my surprise, song on Jasmine flower by famous singer of India Ms. Lata Mangeshkar was streaming on TV. This came into my mind about this beautiful flower of Jasmine.
India is rich in its biodiversity. Different species of plants are available in different geographical regions of this country. Mogra or Jasmine also have different varieties in India. Popularly this Jasmine is called as Mogra in India.
Native of tropic and subtropical regions, this plant has large number of species in world. Varieties that are commonly found in India include Motia, Bela, Moturia, Hazari Mogra, Grand duke of Tuscany, and Madanban. Among them, one of the most popularly grown species which is providing all year flowering is Jasminum sambac (Madanban). This plant is considered to be originated from as East Indies. This plant is also called as Arabic Jasmine.
In India, Madanban Mogra is cultivated in Karnataka (Bellary district), Uttar Pradesh (Kannauj, Jaunpur, Gazipur), and in states of West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Plant Identification
Its a sub erect shrub commonly found in tropical and sub tropical climates of India. Leaves are glossy, dark green, and stalk is short and curved. Flowers are white or creamy and highly fragrant.
Most common identification for Madanban is its flowers. Its buds are long and pointed. They open suddenly as if by spring action.
How to potting of Madanban?
Jasmine or Madanban is grown in a wide range of soils. Well-drained and soil with a pH ranging from 6.5-7.5 is ideal for their cultivation. In the 6 inch pot to 18 inch pot, you can grow Madanban easily. Take pot of either soil 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 sand. Then add mixture of soil, neem cake powder, or boric acid powder. This will prevent fungal attack to roots of plant. 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, river sand, cowdung manure or compost, vermicompost, and cocopit 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. As mentioned above, pH is essential factor to induce flowering to this plant. If flowering is not induced then add water from boiled eggs and also add 7-8 drops of lemon in it. Otherwise, use of alum dissolved in water will also reduce the pH of soil.
Sunlight and Climate
Climate is most important factor. Since this plant is originated from tropical zone, hot and humid climate is favorable to grow Madanban 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. If sunlight of less than 4 hours is there, then flowering will not be induced in this plant.
Watering
When Jasmine are in their blooming stage, they require large amounts of water. Your Jasmine will need daily watering in warm weather. If water is less to the plant, then leaves will turn yellow and plant may die. 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.
Fertilizers
Being a flowering plant, Mogra requires fertilizer rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. However, for flowering, potassium is most important. Zinc, Calcium, Iron and Magnesium are also essential for flowering of this plant. Onion peel and Banana peel fertilizer along with Vermi compost provides all these nutrients to this plant.
Pruning
For Mogra, pruning is required activity. This increases growth, flower-bud initiation, differentiation and, ultimately, the flower production in Madanban. Usually, irrigation is stopped before pruning. Remember the rule, maximum number of branches and higher is yield of flowers.
Pest Management
Out of all species of Jasmine, Madanban is disease free. However, certain pests such as bud worm, leaf webber, white flies and red mites attack the plant. This is due to prevailing drought and hot weather.
Propagation of Madanban
Jasmine can be propagated by cuttings, layering, sucker, grafting, budding and tissue culture.
Cutting is easiest way of propagation of jasmine. Apical cuttings were taken and soaked in cinnamon for 2-3 hours. After this, they are planted in soil. The cuttings are ready for flowering within 5-6 months.
Important tips:
Madanban or Jasmine flowers usually come on new branches. This suggests importance of pruning.
If plant is not growing, then do not water plant for 3-4 days and then remove leaves of plant entirely. Then start watering the plant. Flowering will start in next 8 days.
Acidic pH of soil is important for this plant. Lemon juice and egg shell water is of great help.
Fertilizers such as Onion peel and banana peel fertilizer are important for more flowering.
So friends, why are you waiting. Start growing this scented beauty today itself.
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