How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting | Chinese Honeysuckle Care

|
Last Updated: 18.10.2023
Harpreet Monga
Written by
Harpreet Monga, a seasoned content writer and gardening enthusiast, has crafted over 150 articles at India Gardening. She expanded her writing journey with freelancing at the Times of India. Her passion for writing shines through her contributions to various book projects. Harpreet's commitment is to sow stories that resonate with readers, fostering a deep connection to the natural world.

Aromatic Madhumalti flowers, creeping on the hedges, are the pride of many Indian Gardens. Here’s How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting easily!

How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting

Popular for its highly fragrant flowers, Madhumalti is a creeping vine that grows up to 8-25 feet tall. It produces a cluster of blossoms that changes color gradually. Initially, they are white, then they turn into pink and eventually to red. Emerging during springs and summers, the mesmerizing fragrance of its flowers is at the peak during the night time. This creeper can be trained on trellis, arbors, and borders as an ornamental vine. Let’s see How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting!

Botanical Name: Combretum indicum

Other Names: Chinese honeysuckle, Rangoon creeper


Madhumalti Plant Propagation Using Stem Cutting

What you will need-

  1. Sanitized knife
  2. Trowel (optional)
  3. Soilless potting mix (Or combine equal parts of compost, sand, and loamy soil)
  4. Pot and tray
  5. Rooting hormone
  6. Pebbles

How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting

  • During early summer, cut 4-5 inches long stem section from a healthy vine, using any sanitized shear or knife.
  • Make sure the stem should have at least three leaf nodes and no flower buds.
  • Remove all the leaves from this cutting, or simply cut them in half.
  • Take a rooting hormone solution, or you can make one by mixing three-part of aloe vera gel with one part of honey.
  • Put the cutting in this solution for 2-3 hours for speeding up the rooting process.
  • Take a tray filled with potting mix or make yours by taking equal parts of sand, compost, and loamy soil.
  • In this tray, layer some pebbles at the bottom, and fill one-third of the tray with a mix mentioned above.
  • Plant the cutting in the soil in a manner to keep two leaf nodes above and one node buried in the soil.
  • Water the soil uniformly. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and keep it at a spot with partial shade or filtered light.
  • Sprinkle some water regularly, but do not make the soil soggy.
  • Within 15-20 days, new shoots and leaves will start emerging from the cutting.
  • Now, using a trowel, you can transplant it in a big pot (10-12 inches wide and deep) or directly on the ground with general potting soil or in the garden.
  • As this vine starts sprawling, give it additional support of trellis or fence.

Madhumalti Plant Care

How to Grow Madhumalti from Cutting 2

Sun

Full sun with afternoon shade is an ideal condition for the successful growth of this vine. So, train it at the spot where it can receive at least 4-5 hours of full to partial sunlight, as its blooms, it looks more striking at a sunny location.

Water

Regular watering is the key to its successful growth. It appreciates moist soil and needs adequate water during its growing and blooming period. So, water twice a week or check the soil moisture by poking finger 2-inches in the topsoil. And, do ensure, not to overwater it.

Spacing

While training them on fences in a row, keep them at least 4-5 feet apart from each other. And if you are growing them in the garden, make sure this vine is at least 4-feet away from the nearby plants and shrubs, as this fast-growing creeper sprawls vigorously.

Fertilizer

Although this vine is not a heavy feeder, you can supplement its growth by using leafy compost or composted cow manure (Gobar ki Khaad) every six months. Avoid fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen, as they will induce abundant leaves growth with fewer flowers.

Pruning

You can prune or trim this vine for giving it the shape of your liking. During winter, when vine goes to dormancy, you can clip or trim its stems lightly. This will encourage fresh growth during the spring season.

Leave a Comment

Send this to a friend