Tuberose

What is tuberose?

The tuberose is a night-blooming plant which is thought to be native to Mexico, as is every other known species of Polianthes. Polianthes tuberosa is a plant related to the agaves. It is a herbaceous perennial tuber bulbous plant with erect leafy stems and broadly linear leaves.  It grows in elongated spikes up to 45 cm (18 in) long that produce clusters of fragrant waxy white flowers that bloom from the bottom towards the top of the spike.

For more than 400 years, the tuberose has been a secret seductress giving passion and fire to thousands of perfumes. A symbol of dangerous love and voluptuousness to the Victorians, tuberose's rich, the heady fragrance is similar to the gardenia. The tubular flowers that scale the spikes of the tuberose are typically snowy white and last up to 14 days.

The flower consists of twelve species and is a prominent plant in Indian culture and mythology where it is used for weddings, garlands, decoration and various traditional rituals. Tuberose, like jasmine, has a heady floral scent that continues to produce itself. Tuberose can thrive in warmer climates and survive the outdoors well. They bloom in the late summer best when they receive ample sunlight daily.

Names of Tuberose

·         Common names: Tuberose

·         Indian names: Rajnigandha, Sugandraja

·         Botanical name: Polianthes tuberose

Characteristics Of Tuberose

·         Life-Cycle: Perennial/annual (depending on growing conditions)

·         Height: 2 to 3 feet

·         Width/Spread: 1 to 2 feet

·         Flowering Season: Year-round

·         Flower: Tuberose

·         Varieties: Calcutta Single, Mexican Single, Phule Rajani, Prajwal, Rajat Rekha, Shringar, Hyderabad Single, Pune Single, Arka Nirantra, Calcutta Double, Hyderabad Double, Pearl Double, Swarna Rekha, Suvasini, Vaibhav.

·         Design Ideas: Containers or Hanging baskets

Growing Details

·         Sunlight:  This requires full sun but can be grown indoors with bright light.

·         Water: As tuberose grows, provide roughly 1–1.5 in. (2.5–3.75 cm) of water once a week. Tuberose prefers this to more frequent watering in smaller amounts.

·         Sowing season: Tuberose bulbs are best planted in early spring, but this requires a warm climate with a growing season at least 4 months long.

Sowing method: –

·         Care: Plant in soil that drains well and has a pH of 6.5-7.5. Place the rhizomes 2 to 4 inches deep and 6 to 8 inches apart, in well-draining soil in a sunny spot.

·         Pests: Thrips and aphids are usually disrupt the plant. Use general pesticides to fight them.

·         Harvest: – For loose flowers, the individual flower is plucked regularly which are used for various purposes whereas for cut flower the spike is cut from the base so that longer spike is available.

Caring: –

·         Water sparingly until plants emerge. Keep the soil fairly dry, but water before it dries out fully. Within a few weeks, green tips should emerge, and root systems will develop that allow the plant to handle more water.

·         Pests: Thrips and aphids are usually disrupt the plant. Use general pesticides to fight them. 

·         Water moderately during the growing season. As tuberose grows, provide roughly 1–1.5 in. (2.5–3.75 cm) of water once a week. Tuberose prefers this to more frequent watering in smaller amounts.

v  Reduce watering if rain occurs, so the tuberose only receives a total of approximately 1–1.5 in. (2.5–3.75 cm) of water each week.

v  Take care not to over water, as tuberose rots easily (the reason you really need well-draining soil).

·       Apply a balanced fertilizer. An 8-8-8 fertilizer, with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is recommended for tuberose. Apply solid fertilizer around the soil of the plant once every 6 weeks, or apply liquid fertilizer according to packaging instructions.

·       Feel free to cut flowers to arrange indoors. The flowers typically emerge about 90-120 days after planting, usually in the late summer or early autumn. Removal of the flowers for house display will not harm the plant, so enjoy bringing the scent into your home.

·       If the weather is turning cold and the plant has not yet flowered, transplant the tuberose to a large pot, and bring it to a warm location indoors. Remember, the pot must be well-draining, with a hole in the base and something beneath it to catch the water.

·       Keep in mind that the tuberose flowers are very fragrant. They will be at their peak of fragrance during the evening hours.

·       Support the flowers if needed. The flowers will start to weigh the branches down when they start to bloom, so you may want to add some form of support. Place a trellis in the ground next to the plant or use a cage to help support the plant from all sides.

·       Prune to encourage growth. Even if you don't bring flowers indoors, remove the withered flowers to encourage new growth. Do not remove any leaves until they are completely yellow.

·       Stop watering when the flowers and leaves die. Once the foliage is yellow or brown, the plant is done growing for the year. Move on to the next

·       Do not apply any fertilizer while the plant is not growing.

Benefits Of Tuberose

·         Tuberose oil can relieve a person of stress and anxiety. It can calm down the agitated nerves by giving a soothing sensation.

·         The oil extracted from tuberose can also help in reducing inflammations relating to the respiratory and nervous system.

·         This essential oil also stimulates and increases blood circulation throughout the body.

·         Propagation: Bulbs are used for propagation.