Bela flower: How to grow and care for Jasminum Sambac?

Bela flower, scientifically known as Jasminum sambac (Arabian jasmine or Sambac jasmine), is a species of jasmine that is indigenous to tropical Asia, from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia. It is grown widely, particularly in most of South and Southeast Asia. Mauritius, Madagascar, the Maldives, Christmas Island, Chiapas, Central America, southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles are among the several scattered places where it is native. 

Jasminum sambac is a tiny shrub or vine extensively grown for its lovely and lusciously fragrant blossoms. It is well-known as mogra in Pakistan and India. It is a significant flower crop that is grown commercially all over India. It is also one of Indonesia’s three national flowers, where it is known as melati putih, and the national flower of the Philippines, where it is called sampaguita.

Bela flower: Key facts

What is Jasminum Sambac?

Jasminum Sambac belongs to the Jasmine or Jasminum genus and found mainly across tropical Asia. It belongs to the Oleaceae family, which has evergreen vine or shrub rising up to height of 0.5 to 3 metres.

Bela flower: Physical description

• Bela flowers grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet, with 2.5 inches-long evergreen leaves, green, slender stalks, and white flowers.
• Bela flowers are winsome small star-shaped white blossoms that frequently have pink tints on the petals.
• The Bela flower blooms primarily from March to June, and it has a lovely, sweet scent that is comforting to the body in addition to its lovely appearance. 
• The common Bela flower grows like vines resembling the money plant. 
• The minimum height of a Bela flower is 5 feet, but with the right habitat and soil, it can reach heights of over 10 feet.

There are 200 divergent species of Bela worldwide. The majority of the eight species are utilised by gardeners. Bela is also known as the Arabian jasmine Maid of Orleans.

1. Mogra (Arabian Jasmine)
2. Raat Ki Rani (Night Blooming Jasmine)
3. Kunda (Downy Jasmine)
4. Juhi (Jasminum auriculatum)
5. Parijatak (Coral Jasmine)
6. Andhra Kamini (Orange Jasmine)
7. Kagda

Jasminum Sambac: Types 

The popular varieties or types of Jasminum sambac are:

• Gundumalli
• Motia
• Virupakshi
• Sujimalli
• Madanabanam
• Ramabanam
• Khoya
• Single Mogra
• Double Mogra
• Iruvatchi
• Ramanathapuram gundumalli
• Kasthurimalli
• Oosimalli

Bela flower: How to grow?

• Bela flower is multiplied by taking stem cuttings from almost mature wood of older plants, raising the cuttings in nursery beds, and planting them in pots after a year. 
• Layering, most frequently ground layering, is another method for propagating the plant.
• The rainy season is the ideal period for propagation using either method.
• During the re-potting process, plants can readily be grown via root division. It is rare to propagate these plants from seeds.
• Bela should be planted 75 cm apart in rows that are spaced 1 m apart on the ground.
• The Bela plant grows best in a 12-inch standard round container/pot.
• Plants are typically planted in earthen pots. Hard plastic pots, however, are also appropriate.
• It is necessary to have well-prepared ground with a good drainage system, appropriate irrigation facilities, and sunny weather.
• Pits are dug with a practical measurement of 45 cm and are briefly exposed to sunlight before one month of planting.
• These trenches are filled with two parts FYM and one part each of fresh earth and coarse sand before planting. 
• For the mixture to settle, pits are watered after addition.
• During the flowering season, treat the plant with a liquid fertiliser once every two to three weeks.

Bela flower: Care tips

Bela flower: Soil requirements

• It can be cultivated in a wide range of soils, from sandy loam soils that are rich in organic matter to well-drained clayey soil, although it performs best in rich sandy loam soil with good drainage.
• Mix enough FYM into the soil for greater efficiency and productivity.
• The pH of the soil should not be higher than 6.5 for proper plantation.

Bela flower: Land preparation

• Clear the field of all weeds before bringing the soil to fine peat.
• The land needs to be initially ploughed once or twice to remove all weeds.
• One month after planting, 30cm3-sized trenches are created after ploughing and left in the sunlight.
• Farm Yard Manure should be incorporated into the soil when preparing the ground.

Bela flower: Sowing

• From June until November, sowing is done.
• The spacing between plants varies depending on the variety.
• A depth of 15 cm is needed while planting.
• It can be reproduced through tissue culture, cutting, layering, sucking, grafting, and budding.

Bela flower: Pruning

• Pruning is necessary to achieve the required crop production and obtain optimal structures.
• Dead branches and old shoots from previous seasons, as well as diseased branches, are the essential components of pruning.
• Pruning is primarily done in the last week of November to increase production, flowering quality, and quantity.

Bela flower: Watering requirements

• Bela cannot survive waterlogging, and plants will quickly perish in the soggy soil. Moderate watering is good for the Bela plant and necessary during the flowering season.
• To give the plants time to rest, watering should be discontinued in November.

Bela flower: Sunlight requirements

The Bela plant may flourish in partial shade, which makes it a wonderful plant for windowsill gardening. The plant needs full sunlight for maximum blooming.

Bela flower: Pests and diseases 

Bela is a very resilient plant that rarely contracts serious ailments. The disease brought on by Curvularia can occasionally cause foliage loss in extremely hot and dry areas.

Source: Pinterest

How to grow Bela flowers in pots?

For growing Bela flowers in pots, it is recommended to use a regular round pot of 12-inch size. Traditionally, an earthen pot is preferred, but hardy plastic pots are also suitable. The ideal potting soil for these plants consists of well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. A mixture of two parts loam soil and one part well-decomposed cow manure works well. Ensure that the plant receives full sunlight to promote optimal blooming. The Mogra plant can thrive in such conditions.

When do Bela flowers bloom?

During the blooming season, which typically occurs in summer and monsoon, Bela flowers exhibit a phased blooming pattern. Each blooming phase lasts for approximately seven days, during which the flowers bloom abundantly. There is usually a month-long gap between each blooming phase, after which the next phase begins. At the end of each blooming phase, watering is completely suspended for several days until new flowering buds emerge.

Bela flower: Benefits and uses

• It is mostly used for floral decorations and garlands.
• Due to its potent and aromatic fragrance, it is also used to produce incense sticks and to flavour shampoo, lotions, oils, and detergents.
• The use of a large number of Bela flowers at temples by worshippers is widespread in India.
• Flowers can be added as a fragrant component to jasmine tea and perfumes. 
• The flower is used to make medications.
• Bela has been used to treat liver diseases (hepatitis), pain from liver damage (cirrhosis), and abdominal pain brought on by acute diarrhoea (dysentery).
• It is also used to cure cancer, relax people (as a sedative), increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac), and prevent strokes.
• It is applied topically to the skin to treat skin conditions, decrease breast milk production, and hasten wound healing.
• It can be inhaled to elevate mood, ease tension, and reduce cravings for food.
• The Bela flower is used in food to flavour puddings, gelatins, frozen dairy desserts, confectionery, and beverages.

Bela flower: Toxicity

Yes! Tropane alkaloids found in berries and foliage of the Bela flower make them highly toxic when consumed.

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