Looking for an easy way to grow Thuja plant at home? Then, this article on Morpankhi Plant Propagation and Vastu Tips will be the right pick.
Morpankhi or Vidya plant needs no introduction as it is an integral part of almost every Indian home. So, this article on Morpankhi Plant Propagation and Vastu Tips will apprise you of its correct way of growing.
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What is Morpankhi Plant?
Morpankhi is a fast-growing, evergreen plant that is indigenous to America and Asia. Commonly known as the Thuja plant, Morpankhi is renowned for its columnar-shaped growth and the needle-like leaves that have religious significance. Many gardeners use this plant as a privacy screen, while some consider it a promising plant as per Vastu perspective.
Botanical Name: Platycladus orientalis
Common Names: Morpankhi, Thuja, Vidhya plant, Oriental thuja, Oriental arborvitae, Mayurpankhi, Lairikheibi
Morpankhi Plant Propagation and Vastu Tips
1. Morpankhi plant should always be located or planted at the house entrance. However, the north or east direction is the most convenient for its placement.
2. The placement of Morpankhi plant in the right direction cancels all kinds of Vastu dosha in the house.
3. Thuja plant brings good luck to its owner, as it increases riches, wisdom, and prosperity.
4. A school of thought says that Morpankhi should be planted in a pair of two since it bestows the couple with blissful married life.
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How to Grow Thuja Plant from Cutting
Morpankhi plant can also be grown from seeds, but it has a lower success rate. So, primarily morpankhi plant is propagated through cutting.
From Cutting
- Snip off a 5-6 inches long cutting right below the set of needles during the summers since branches of this plant are firm yet flexible during this timespan.
- Trim off the needles from the lower one-third of the cutting and apply rooting hormone to the cut portion.
- Take a pot and fill it with sterile potting mix. You can even take a mixture containing equal parts of peat moss and river sand.
- Plant the cutting in the potting soil deep enough to keep the stem upright.
- Moisten the soil well and wrap the container with plastic to retain moisture and warmth inside.
- Mist the soil regularly as this plant grows well when nurtured with ample moisture.
- Place the container at any bright place but away from direct sunlight. The cutting grows best around the 2o C temperature.
- You will witness the growth of new shoots after a couple of weeks.
Growing Requirements of Morpankhi Plant
Sunlight
The plant does well in full sun to part shade both. So, locate Thuja at any sunny place where it can receive 4-6 hours of sunlight. But during the summers, keep the plant at a semi-shade location; else the leaves can burn in the scorching sun.
Watering
The plant does best in consistently moist but not soggy soil. So, keep the soil well-moist always, and water the plant deeply whenever topsoil feels dry to touch. It is better to water the plant in the morning and evening to avoid water transpiration.
Soil
Surprisingly, the plant can do well in a wide range of soil types, including chalky. However, any moist, well-draining, loose, and fertile soil with a pH around 6.8-7.5 will be the best bet. You can take regular potting soil or sterile garden soil, but amend it with organic matter like compost or cow dung manure prior to planting.
Pot
You can initially start with a 6-8 inches deep pot and re-pot it in a larger container once it looks root-bound. The plant has a rapid growth rate, so you can re-pot it during the springs or summers. Also, make sure the pot you choose has ample drainage holes in the bottom.
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Morpankhi Plant Care
Fertilizer
It is recommended to feed the Morpankhi plant with a liquid, balanced fertilizer like NPK 19:19:19 during the growing season of springs and summers. You can fertilize once every two weeks for the best results. Stop feeding this plant during winters.
Pruning
Thuja doesn’t require any significant pruning because it naturally grows into a remarkable columnar shape. However, some gardeners grow this plant for hedges, so some pruning can be done to keep its size and shape in check.
Mulching
The plant likes ample moisture; thus, to prevent water loss from the soil, adding a layer of straw, leaves, bark chips, or pine needles at the base is recommended. This mulch will keep the soil cool and moist for a prolonged period and will prevent water loss.
My project work is to propagate thuja orientali using cutting