How to Care and Propagate: Mogra / Arabian Jasmine
Introduction:
- The scientific name of Mogra is Jasminum sambac. It belongs to the family Oleaceae.
- Although native to India, it is commonly known as Arabian Jasmine. It is the double flowering types that are known as Motiya or Mogra in India.
- Mogra is a highly fragrant flower that is prized.
- Mogra is the national plant of the Philippines and one of the three national plants of Indonesia.
- The floral aroma is used in China to scent jasmine teas.
- The plant begins to flower the second year onwards after planting. The flowers are harvested in the bud stage either in the evening or early in the morning by handpicking.
- Flower buds are used for garland making, adorning hair, worshipping, decoration, and extraction of perfume.
Soil & Climate:
- Both soil and climate of an ecosystem are the important factors that determine about success or failure of Mogra plant.
- Mogra plant requires well-drained soil with plenty of organic fertilizer. Good soil composition is a success of better quality and quantity of flowers.
- Ideal Soil mixture: 60% gardening soil, 30% cow manure, and 10% coco peat.
- Growing Mogra plant needs lots of nutrients in order to bloom well. In the summer, use a high potassium fertilizer.
- You can either use a diluted liquid fertilizer once a week, a slow-release fertilizer once a month, or you can add a high potassium compost to the soil.
- Additionally, we can add dry Neem & Mustard leaves mixture along with the dried banana peel. This provides additional nutrients to plant for better flowering.
- In tropical area, February is the month of composting after the winter season.
- The plant requires full sunlight for best blooming. Mogra plant can also thrive very well in partial shade and high humidity, which makes it a perfect plant for windowsill gardening.
- One can provide fertilizer once every month of Summer and Monsoon for good flowering.
Propagation Technique:
- Jasmine plants are generally propagated by cuttings.
- The cutting should be taken from new growth or softwood. You will mostly find softwood on a Plant in spring or early summer.
- The Plant cutting should be 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) long. Remove every leaf from the stem cutting except for the top set of 2 to 4 leaves.
- Trim the bottom of the Mogra stem cutting using knife.
- Place the cutting in above mentioned soil mix.
- Make sure the rooting soil is thoroughly wet, then stick a finger into the rooting soil and make a hole, place the stem cutting into the hole and backfill it around the stem cutting.
Watering Technique:
- Water well once an upper layer of soil is dried. You can check by touching the soil.
Light requirement:
- When you grow jasmine in pots, prefer them to plant in a warm location.
- Most of the jasmine varieties prefer full sun to partial shade with well-drain fertile soil.
- They cannot tolerate and may even die in extreme hot and cold conditions.
- Although warm, humid conditions are ideal for Mogra, one can provide a little afternoon shade when it’s extremely hot.
- If your growing mogra plant from propagation then for the first three months morning sunlight or filter sunlight is good. Avoid direct intense sunlight for the first three months.
- Place the plant in direct sunlight post three months or once the plant grows up to two feet. The plant then will love the sunlight, grow healthy and produce good flowers.
Type of pot:
- A regular round pot of 12-inch size is ideal for growing the Mogra plant. Traditionally plant is grown in an earthen pot. However, hardy plastic pots are also suitable.
Vital Tips:
- If the leaves are turning yellow, cut back on watering. To reduce the frequency of watering if you spot those early signs.
- Use organic soap solutions like organic shampoo or Neem oil for pest control.
- Do pruning in the early summer season.
Thanks and best of luck!
Happy Planting!
I would like to hear your
thoughts, suggestions, and any questions in the comments below.
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