Bunga cempaka
THIS famous fragrant flower has been planted in most of the Asean regions and other temperate areas.
A native of Southern China, especially in Yunnan Province, it belongs to the historical genus of Magnolia family called Magnoliaceae.
We are familiar with the two common species here – the white and yellow cempaka.
Historical records from the plant fossils date back over 95 million years.
The Philippine species is called Magnolia Chempaca or simply known as champaka.
Other vernacular names include joy perfume tree, yellow jade orchid tree and fragrant Himalayan champaca.
We are planting Michelia Alba or creamy white champaka that is a large evergreen tree of the same family, famous for its fragrant flowers and as a good timber tree with the trunk up to two metres and over 50 metres tall. It has a narrow imbelliform canopy.
This species is main the ingredient of the source for speculation perfume – it’s a readily available natural perfume for the whole garden!
The speciality of Magnolia is famous for the perfume we got from the flowers and the early days natural perfume when chemistry was not yet there.
Of the several varieties, ylang ylang vine also comes in as an artabotry (an interesting vine) that grows in conditions ranging from full sunlight to filtered light.
The obovoid to ellipsoid carpels consume the shades of cream to yellow orange colours. The fertilised seeds are formed after the flower drops. How to grow champaka flowers? There are several ways of planting these flower trees. All are planted in a garden but the planting methods differ to help the trees grow successfully.
First, the trees must be planted in regions with ample sunshine such as the tropics.
The trees can be propagated through cuttings or grafted cuttings and seeds.
Before planting, take the seeds from the fruit and keep them dry. Rub the seeds with sandpapers to remove the hard coverings to speed up germination.
We can stilt them in hot water overnight till the seeds are bigger by one size or remove the upper coverings of the seeds.
Sometimes, it’s good to treat the seeds with fungicides to prevent fungus attacks.
Sowing the seeds in the acidic soil is recommended – in seedling trays or pots. Moisture for the seeds is provided by watering frequently.
Wait five weeks before germination begins and the fact that germination may not reach a high rate is natural. Propagation by cuttings Take the healthy stem cuttings of about five to six inches long. The best cutting angle is about a 45-degree slope. Keep a pair of leaves at the top end.
Now insert the cut end in rooting hormone to promote rooting. Insert the cuttings in the prepared pot with the right compost.
Water the cuttings every few days to keep the medium moist but not water-logged.
It takes over a month for the stem to start rooting. Wait till it matures to transplant into other containers or bags in the shade. Then wait till it’s ready for field planting.
Stem grafting is also possible to produce a new plant. It’s done by scraping away the bark of the mature stem with an ending shoot from a young side branch.
It may require a skilful craftsman as budder to do the work. When roots grow from the meristem of the cut end, we get a new plant.
Field planting is straightforward. The ground is prepared with compost and acidic soil is better still. The plant needs to be watered regularly.
Champaka also requires additional growth nutrients by adding in 15+15+15 NPK. Pruning is to only provide a good tree canopy or shape.
The tree may begin to flower at an early stage – even only few months old – and will continue till the whole foliage is tipped by creamy white fragrant flowers, giving us a garden of perfume that spreads to a distance.
Pest problems
The leaves may be susceptible to attacks by aphids and spider mites.
Aphids cause leaf curling and can be removed by water jets or chemical sprays.
Spider mites suck moisture and nutrients from the leaves, rendering the leaves grey and weakened.
Control is possible by mixing some neem oil sprayer. Repeat the treatment once in three days.
The tree is well-known because of its fragrant flowers and it can still be seen in the kampungs and villages. It’s a useful plant as the oil extracted is used for cosmetics.
A decoction of the bark is used as a febrifuge for fever and in seeds for rheumatism.