How to grow Murraya paniculata? Key points for potted Murraya paniculata care
Some people say Murraya paniculata is as fragrant as osmanthus. Is its scent really that strong? I think each has its own floral fragrance characteristics. It has a beautiful tree shape, stays evergreen all year round, bears pure white and intensely fragrant flowers, and bright eye-catching red fruits. It is an excellent bonsai material. It can be enjoyed in all four seasons, with the best effect when new leaves first unfold. How should it be grown in pots?
Temperature management
Murraya paniculata is not cold-tolerant and prefers a warm climate. The suitable growing temperature is 20-32°C, and the minimum wintering temperature should not be lower than 5°C. The dormant winter temperature is 5-10°C. If the temperature is too high during dormancy, it is unfavorable for flower bud differentiation and growth.
Light management
Murraya paniculata is a sun-loving species and should be given sufficient sunlight. With insufficient light, the stems and leaves grow leggy, which is unfavorable for flower bud differentiation, and even if it blooms, it will not be very fragrant.
Watering management
Murraya paniculata prefers a humid environment and is drought-tolerant. If soil moisture is too high, the stems and leaves grow leggy, which is unfavorable for flower bud differentiation. Therefore, during the growing season, spray water on the leaf surface every day to increase air humidity; watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, do not water when not dry, and water thoroughly when watering." Moderately controlling watering in this way is more conducive to healthy stem and leaf growth and flower bud differentiation.
Fertilization management
Murraya paniculata does not like concentrated fertilizer. During the growing period, apply a dilute decomposed cake liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days. When the potting soil is dry, water once with clear water after fertilizing; stop fertilizing during the winter dormant period.
Fertilization should combine nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and nitrogen fertilizer alone should not be used; before flowering and bud formation, applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer helps produce more flowers and a stronger fragrance. If there is too much nitrogen fertilizer and a lack of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, it will grow leggy branches and leaves without forming buds.
Pruning management
Murraya paniculata has strong branching ability. During growth, it must be pruned continuously. Long branches should be cut back; crossing branches, overlapping branches, and overly dense branches should be thinned out; pinching new shoots can promote branching and make the tree shape fuller; promptly remove unwanted adventitious buds at the base or on the trunk to reduce nutrient consumption.
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Introduction to Murraya paniculata and key care points
Murraya paniculata
Scientific name: Murraya paniculata
Other names: Shi lajiao, Jiuqiuxiang, Jiushuxiang, Qilixiang, Qianlixiang, Wanlixiang, Guoshanxiang, Huangjingui, Shanhuangpi, Qianzhiyan, Yueju.
Family and genus: Rutaceae, Murraya
Origin and distribution: native to tropical Asia, distributed in southern China.
Key care points: evergreen shrub or small tree. Height 3-8 m, much branched, leaves are odd-pinnate compound leaves, ovate or rhombic-ovate; leaf surface dark green and glossy; cymes, terminal or axillary, flowers numerous, white, fragrant; petals oblanceolate, with transparent dots. Flowering period is in autumn; fruit ovoid, red. Prefers warmth, minimum wintering temperature 5°C; grows robustly in moist places with sufficient light; potted in loose sandy soil containing humus. Leaves and flowers are for ornamental use; flowers can be used to extract aromatic oil, and the whole plant is used medicinally. In North China, potted cultivation in a greenhouse is needed.
Propagation: sowing or cuttings. Sow immediately after the seeds mature; cuttings are carried out in a closed hotbed at about 30°C, and they root easily.
Light: prefers strong light, not shade-tolerant (sufficient light).
Water: grows in moist soil.
Temperature: slightly cold-tolerant, can withstand low temperatures of -5-0°C.
Humidity: moderate relative humidity, 50%-60%.
Summer care points for Murraya paniculata, a flowering and fragrance-appreciating plant
Murraya paniculata, just hearing this name gives the impression that its floral fragrance spreads very far. It can bring a fresh scent to the environment where it grows, and it is one of the common potted plants indoors and outdoors.Murraya paniculata is also known as Qianlixiang and Yueju. It has a graceful plant shape, elegant branches and leaves, and a rich floral fragrance. Potted plants are 1-2 m tall, much branched, and grow upright. The bark is gray or light brown, often with longitudinal cracks. Odd-pinnate compound leaves are alternate, with 3-9 leaflets, alternate, ovate, spoon-shaped obovate, or nearly rhombic, entire, dark green and glossy. Cymes, flowers white, about 4 cm in diameter, flowering period July-October. Berries nearly spherical, fleshy red, fruit ripening period October to February of the following year.
Summer care: Murraya paniculata is drought-tolerant. Water according to the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet, and do not let water accumulate in the pot. During continuous rainy weather, the pot should be laid on its side or placed in a rain-sheltered place. If watered too much, it often causes root rot. If the leaves curl and lose their luster, this is a signal of root rot, and attention should be paid to taking remedial measures as soon as possible. First, control watering and observe the changes. If after 2-3 days there is not only no improvement but it becomes more serious, the plant should be removed from the pot, the soil around the roots washed off with water, dried, then soaked in potassium permanganate solution for disinfection, and then soaked in naphthalene acetic acid rooting solution for 8 hours before repotting. During the growing period, watering should not be too much, as long as the soil can often be kept slightly moist. In the high-temperature summer season, watering should not be too much, but water must not accumulate in the pot (barrel). At this time, it is also necessary to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves, which can both cool and increase humidity and help make the branches and leaves glossy green.