Gooseberry Tree: Guide for Growing and Caring for Them.

Commonly known as amla, the Indian gooseberry or Phyllanthus emblica is one of the most significant medicinal plants grown widely in India. Almost 90% of the plant can be used to treat various diseases and ailments, and the fruit is a rich source of vitamin C. It has been a valuable part of ancient Ayurvedic recipes, and its leaves, bark, fruits, roots, and every other part is still used to prepare Ayurvedic medicines. Besides, Indian gooseberry has exceptional industrial value, as it is used to prepare lotions, infusions, jam, herbal teas, and many more consumer products.

See also: Physalis peruviana: How to grow and maintain the Cape Gooseberry?

Indian gooseberry tree: Quick facts

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Indian gooseberry tree: Physical description

A small-medium-sized tree, the Indian gooseberry tree has spreading branches with a grey-green bark and a crooked trunk. The leaves are simple, pinnate, and closely set to the 10-20 cm long, deciduous branchlets. The amla tree bears greenish-yellow flowers with axillary fascicles. And the fruits, the Indian gooseberries, are marble-like in appearance, globulose, light green (unripe), or yellowish (ripe) in colour.

Indian gooseberry tree: How to grow

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The first thing you should consider while growing amla at home is the suitable variety. There are about nine different plant varieties, namely, Francis, Banarasi, NA4, NA5, NA6, NA7, BSR1, NA10, and Chaikaya. Francis amla is considered one of the most profitable varieties of the plant, which is also quite resilient. It is high-yielding, to say the least, and is used to produce pulp, jam, powder, and other consumer products.

Banarasi amla is also high-yielding but is prone to losing fruits. However, it finds a wide variety of applications in the kitchen. The Chaikaya amla bears smaller-sized fruits used to produce candies and preservatives. Hence, depending on your preferences and requirements, choose the variety of Indian gooseberry trees you want to grow first.

Sowing the seeds

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If you want to grow the plant from seeds, the following steps will help:

1. Soak the reddish-brown amla seeds in water overnight and take out the ones that sink to the bottom of the bowl. The ones that keep floating are not fit for sowing.
2. Take a bowl of lukewarm water and soak the final seeds for 4-5 minutes. It will help increase the chances of germination.
3. Take a container and fill it with a high-quality potting mix and organic compost before watering it to make the entire growing medium adequately moist.
4. Put each seed into the potting mix at about 0.4-0.5 inches depth.
5. Water the seeds and ensure that they receive 4-5 hours of indirect, bright sunlight regularly.
6. You will notice little green seedlings in about 3-4 weeks.

Light requirements

Amla grows best in areas that receive full sunlight (4-6 hours) every day. Do not commit the mistake of placing the container in partial shade, as it may affect the size of the fruits. Also, the yield will get affected if the plant does not receive proper light.

Soil requirements

The Indian gooseberry tree requires moderately alkaline, well-draining loamy soil high in organic matter and compost. It is best to add plenty of organic compost to the soil when planting.

Water requirements

The plant will need regular watering during the growing phase, so keep watering the topsoil as soon as it feels dry to the touch. Once the tree attains a height of 5-6 metres, it can take care of its own.

Humidity and temperature requirements

Amla doesn’t do well when exposed to frost. Hence, if you are living in a cold region, make sure that the plant stays indoors during winter. It grows well in temperatures of 46-48 degrees Celsius and requires humidity of 40%-65%.

Fertiliser requirements

The Indian gooseberry tree fares well under the influence of organic fertilisers only. You can add good-quality manure to the plant, and it will be enough to help it grow. However, if you think the plant is not producing enough, feed it with a liquid fertiliser every 3-5 weeks.

Harvesting amla

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It takes about five years for the Indian gooseberry tree to reach its harvesting phase. The wild and glossy-green fruits can be plucked from mid-January to March in tropical areas. Once the fruits become dull green, you will know they are ready to be plucked. A healthy Indian gooseberry tree can produce up to 60 pounds of fruits rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Tips for growing amla trees in containers

You may also avail of the tremendous benefits of amla by growing the plant in containers if you do not have space in a backyard or garden. Pick a container that is at least 10 inches deep and equally wide. Place the potted plant in a spot with plenty of sunlight but fewer strong winds. It would be best if you kept changing the pot as the plant grows, or it would not produce healthy fruits. Also, pruning is essential while growing the plant in containers, as it will help increase yield.

Indian gooseberry tree: Maintenance tips

1. Young plants below three years old must be protected from extreme heat and cold. Once the plant gets mature, it can withstand extreme temperatures.
2. There is no need to water the plants during monsoons. Only the younger plants may need watering in summer, that too bi-weekly. Drip irrigation is considered best for the amla plant.
3. In early December, prune off all the weak, diseased, and dead branches and keep only the healthier, well-shaped ones at the best angles for maximum development of the Indian gooseberry tree.
4. At the beginning of spring, mulch the soil with high-quality organic matter to help it retain moisture.

Indian gooseberry tree: Benefits

Amla offers a plethora of lifestyle and therapeutic benefits, starting from skincare to treating health issues. Read on to learn more about how growing Indian gooseberry or amla at home may benefit you:

• Anti-ageing – Being a rich source of vitamin C, amla helps slow down the process of ageing. Vitamin C prevents cellular damage, one of the leading causes of ageing.
• Hair loss prevention – Amla is known to prevent or reduce the effects of an enzyme that may contribute to hair loss in most people. No wonder amla extract is used in so many hair care products!
• Anti-cancerous – Indian gooseberries are rich sources of Vitamin C, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidants, the combination of which prevents cancerous growth in the body.
• Anti-diabetic – Amla is said to drop sugar levels in the blood drastically, so people on insulin are advised not to consume it raw. If one can consume it under specific conditions, it is said to help control diabetes.
• Immune-strengthening – As a rich source of vitamin C, the Indian gooseberries benefit the immune system. It helps the body develop an army of antibodies against certain diseases.

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