Champa a tropical flowering tree

Champa tree is a stunning tropical flowering plant that can be grown according to the climate, indoors or outdoors. The tree is expensively grown in larger cemented pots and placed in road divider spaces in metro cities and towns for beautification. Very old trees of Champa are found growing with full vigor in old temple premises of India emitting fragrance and colour. It is available in a wide range of shades and flower colours.

 Despite their elaborate appearance, champa is straight forward to grow. These trees are simple to cultivate in a backyard garden and do not require much maintenance. They grow best in pots and often grow to be little trees between 5 and 15 feet tall. Champa has many common names as per location like Frangipani, Nosegay, Plumeria, Champa, Pagoda tree, Temple tree, and Hajari fool. Native of Mexico, Central America and Venezuela and flowers between April to November.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT:

The tree is native to the Indo Malayan realm, consisting of South Asia, South elevations of 200–1,600 meters. It is native to the Maldives, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In China it is native to southern Tibet East Asia−Indochina, and southern China. TREE: It is a deciduous tree with thin bark. The stem is coloured grey-green and fashioned like a sausage. Due to its deciduous nature, the branches are all that remains once the leaves have shed throughout the winter. The Champa flower has five petals stand for psychological perfection and stand for sincerity, faith, dedication, aspiration, and surrender. A large, evergreen tree with long, thin petals and fragrant blossoms is also called campaka in Sanskrit. The blooms are available in a spectrum of hues, from creamy white to orange. Since the beginning, the Champa flower has been a crucial part of Indian spiritual worship because of its potent and distinctive perfume.

 ESTABLISHMENT:

The Champa tree should be planted in the ground with its root ball flush with the surface by digging a hole that is as penetrating and wide as the root ball. Fill the hole with dirt, cover it, and water it. Water to keep the soil wet but not soggy.

 PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS:

Pick a 6-inch-long, healthy cutting from a Champa plant that is somewhat greener in hue; stay away from those that are wilted and brown. After that, using a pair of sharp scissors, remove/cut all the leaves off the cutting. Liquid mucilage emerges from the bottom of the cutting. Keep the cutting in the shade for 5-7 days. The mucilage heals the bottom portion and creates a layer of protection by developing a white coating and is now ready to be planted.

THROUGH SEED:

Purchase seed pods or seeds online or at a nearby garden centre. Rich, filling the well-drained potting mix in little plastic trays or pots would be best. The champa seeds should be sown in the ground with their wings protruding, to encourage good contact, ensure the soil is firm around the roots. Keep the soil moist and place it in a sunny area. The germination period of sources is approximately 21 days.

POTTING:

Take a pot that is 4 to 6 inches in diameter now. Make a hole at the bottom for air to go through and extra water to drain. Create potting soil with the following ratios: Garden soil, 1 part coco peat, and 1 part sand. The container should be filled with this potting soil, leaving one to two inches at the top. The plants the cutting are planted, and the pot kept out of direct sunlight for 15 to 20 days.

 AFTER CARE:

Do not water the cutting for 7–10 days; let it develop roots first. When all goes according to plan, the cutting will begin to grow leaves after 15 to 20 days, at which point you can place them in full sunshine. When the plant has enough leaves, transfer it into a larger pot, preferably one 8 inches in diameter, because Champa plants can be rather large. Prepare the same potting soil, fill an 8-inch pot with it, and then plant this cutting inside. Rich, fast-draining soil is necessary for the Champa plant to thrive and produce flowers. Always use a lot of sand and quality fertilizer in the potting mixture, such as this one. Keep it in a spot that can get direct sunshine because that is what it needs to grow and flower.

PRUNING:

 Make sure to choose a plant with numerous branches when purchasing a Champa plant from a nursery. Wait to repot the plant as soon as you get it. Allow the plant to adjust to its environment. Repot the plant ten days after the plant was purchased. To encourage lateral and fuller growth of the plant, you should prune the tips of the branches. Once the flowering is finished, and the flowers have fallen off the stems, pruning can be done. Late winter or early spring is the perfect time to prune the plants. Pruning should be done carefully because excessive pruning can also reduce flowering.

WATERING:

You should add at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water to champa each week. If the tree is inside, planting location may experience a drought. Saturate the top of the soil entirely once a week with water and allow the water to drain out the bottom of the pot.

SUNLIGHT:

Put the tree where it will receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The flower buds on tree will not form if it does not receive enough sunshine. Put the pot in the direct sun if you are outside. Another essential consideration while producing Champa is location. Plant it at least 10 to 20 feet away from other trees or plants to give its roots enough room to expand.

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS:

 If the temperature dips below 10°C, bring champa inside. It struggles to survive in the cold. While it can thrive in a room-temperature environment, cold temperatures can kill the plant or cause it to go into hibernation.

SOIL AND FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS:

During the summer growing season, keep the soil equally moist but permit some dries between thorough watering. Carefully avoid wet conditions as they could lead to root rot. Throughout the growing season, apply fertilizer to the plant every one to three weeks. In the spring and summer, thoroughly mist the cutting’s leaves and stem. In the fall and winter, stop fertilizing the plant.

VARIOUS TYPES AND SPECIES PLUMERIA RUBRA:

Is a tall cultivar that can grow up to 25 feet high? It has pointy, long leaves and produces red, pink, and white flowers in bunches. It is great for outdoor areas as it can cover a large space and expand quickly.

PLUMERIA PUDICA (NAG CHAMPA)

Also known as Nag Champa is another type of Champa flower that is recognizable by its unique leaves. It has long leaves that resemble a spoon, with a wider centre and pointed ends. While it is a mediumsized cultivar, its flowering is sparse but impressive. PLUMERIA OBTUSA: It has round, bright green leaves that are oval in shape and a bushy appearance due to its dense leaves. It has a slow rate of growth but produces huge, fragrant white flowers with a yellow centre in clusters, making it a great option for rooftop gardens.

PLUMERIA ALBA:

IS a deciduous bush that grows between 2-8m high. It has slim, elongated leaves and produces large, highly fragrant white flowers with a golden centre.

PINK CHAMPA:

 Produces continuously blooming flowers with a pleasant fragrance from spring through fall. The beautiful blossoms of this cultivar are commonly used in ancient households. Despite being a tropical plant, trees can be grown in different areas with the right conditions Decide where to plant in garden; they need full sun or shade. Due to their low cold tolerance, think about growing in a container with drainage holes so you can bring it indoors during the winter. Plant in the early spring or any other time the season is warm. Select a potting medium with perlite and sand that drains well and is somewhat acidic, such as a cactus potting mix. Champa aroma may draw flies, mites, aphids, and other insects. Apply horticultural oil or an insecticide to its leaves. For best results, always adhere to the label instructions.

 TREE BENEFITS:

Champa flowers are cultivated in temples and graveyards. Champa oil is an astringent to alleviate headaches and enhances the nervous system’s performance. The extracted oil is used in the cosmetics industry and is an antioxidant. In some parts of the world; it treats conditions like diabetes and asthma. Herpes, syphilis, and other diseases are treated with the plant’s roots and bark. Ulcers are treated using stem latex. The plants are used in the places of worship and symbols that are frequently visited. Birds, butterflies, and bees are drawn to it. It can withstand salty conditions; hence is suitable for growing in beach environments. The timber is used in woodworking. Champaca is logged for its valuable timber it has a finely textured, dark brown and olive-colored, which is used in furniture making, construction, and cabinetry.

TOXICITY:

 For many people, the fluid of the Champa tree can irritate their skin. The white liquid sap that the plumier plant produces makes it dangerous and poisonous. It is well known for producing skin rashes and even more severe issues when consumed by animals like dogs due to its toxic sap. The milky sapling is repulsive and sucking on or ingesting plant pieces may cause gastrointestinal distress, including oral irritation, sweating, and loss of appetite, vomiting, and dysentery.

 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The Champa flower holds significance in ancient Hindu scriptures not only for its enchanting fragrance but also for its beauty. Since time immemorial, the strong and distinct aroma of the Champa flower has played a crucial role in Indian spiritual worship

. l In the Bhagavata Purana, Lake Bindu Sarovara, where the sage Kardama Muni undertook austerities, is described as surrounded by marvelously fragrant and spiritually uplifting trees and flowers, with the champaka flower being specifically mentioned.

 l In the Puranas, Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, is depicted as adorned with various alluring aromatic trees, including the champaka tree.

 l During their search for Krishna, the Gopis of Vrindavan conversed with the champaka trees in the Vrindavana forest, inquiring whether they had witnessed the passing of their beloved.

 l In Theravada Buddhism, champaca is said to have been used as the tree for achieving enlightenment, or Bodhi, by the fourteenth Buddha called “Aththdaassi.

According to Tibetan beliefs, the Buddha of the next era will find enlightenment under the white flower canopy of the champaca tree

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Courtesy: DR. B L PUTTOO and  Spade A Spade-May 2025