Curry Leaves-Sometimes Tough to Grow
I was under the impression that growing curry leaves would be an easy option. But it has turned out to be a tough one! This small curry leaves plant was brought from a relative’s house and planted in this pot. Curry leaves are added to most Indian dishes to give a good flavor and odor. Curry leaves can develop into shrubs and even small trees if good care is given. Sometimes they grow by themselves as seen in many old households.
Birds help distribution of plants sometimes, by carrying the fruits containing seeds. In horticulture, plants are often grown using stem cuttings which spring roots and leaves when planted.
But my plant withered away, shedding all leaves. I have just tried replanting it in soil and am waiting for the result. Another plant brought from the same place was planted in soil right from the beginning. This plant also shed all its leaves and remained so for some time. But it has sprouted fresh leaves, and this is the current picture. Tried buying a few plants from the local nursery, grown in grow bags. This is one of them, seen in a background of other garden plants.
In few days, caterpillars started eating the leaves. I had to remove them and shifted the plant to this location. After some time, almost all leaves got damaged due to some infestation. Tried spraying dilute turmeric suspension but did not seem to work. I pruned off all the leaves and kept the plants bare. Fortunately, new leaves sprang up in all the plants.
Soon they developed flower buds as seen in this picture. Remnants of turmeric suspension is also seen on the leaves. The buds bloomed into nice white flowers. The inflorescence was removed as per a relative’s advice who had mentioned that the plants will stop producing new leaves otherwise.
We also started harvesting the leaves when needed! We did not want to leave them to any new set of caterpillars or infestations.
Look out for new videos on my urban nano horticulture.