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Murraya Koenegii in SA
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Posted by pafc64 SA Aust (My Page) on Thu, Nov 6, 03 at 22:47
I have just bought a small curry leave tree ( Murraya Koenegii)can anyone form South Australia give me any hints or advice on how to keep it growing, I live in the Whyalla area so Adelaide conditions are fairly similar.
Things I'm looking for are is it best in ground or pot?
Full sun,Part shade or under shadecloth?
Fertilising & Watering.
In fact anything will be greatly appreciated
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Some general information for you: Propagate by growing the small suckers from the base of the tree, by root cutting, or by seed. Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Needs warm temperatures. Soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings, and water very sparingly during winter. Fertilise weekly during the growing season. Harvesting: Collect leaves as required. They can be dried, but lose some of their flavour in the process. They are best frozen for storage, and should not be separated from the stems. |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| pafc64 - There was a beautiful one growing in the Adelaide botanical gardens until just recently. they cut it down! No idea why, it looked the picture of health. I think they are hardy in the absence of heavy frosts. Plant it in the garden I'd say... heat shouldn't be a problem, they are from India and Sri Lanka! I'm currently looking for one. Where did you buy yours? |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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JamusOwlwise- Thanks for your post if heats not a problem it should go alright in Whyalla and we don't get frost to often either.
I got mine from the local nursery(they had to order it)the sticker on the pot says it comes from Cottage Herbs no other info it cost $12.00 |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| I have one in a pot doing really well, it is lot in the least bit fazed by hot weather but it likes regular watering, I use neutrog as a fertiliser. It is somewhat decidous in our climate, though it is an evergreen in the more tropical and humid environs of Sri Lanka. Jamus, I got mine from Perrys Fruit and Nut Nursery a few years ago, but am starting to see them everywhere (for considerably less $$ !) - I saw a little one today at the Willunga Farmers Market, I have also seen them in the Mclaren Vale garden centre - though none of these are much use to you if your not down south..... cheers, mudlark |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Mudlark, Do you take your pot inside in winter? Good to hear it's easier to find nowadays. I must have a look at the places you mentioned, amongst others. I have been hankering after one for a few years. Thanks :) |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Spatzbear, no I don't take my pot inside, it is quite large and attached to a drip irrigation system ;-) I guess if you did it probably wouldn't lose most of its leaves in winter....but to be honest I can't be bothered with shifting them and I'm not that crazy about indoor plants...my compromise is to pick the leaves and dry them for winter use. Because I live right on the coast with no fear of frost and have moderate temps etc, it actually loses its leaves very late, I am working on having a better microclimate around the plant, so I'm optimistic in the long term it would even stay evergreen outside. The plant I bought though more expensive than ones I have seen lately was quite a well established 'tree'. Good luck with your search, its a rewarding plant to grow...the only concern I have about it would be that because it produces a berry that could be spread by birds, it may have some weedy potential in more humid climate, I'm hoping the dryness of Adelaide would reduce that risk, but its worth keeping in mind, the solution would be to remove the berries before they are ripe and dispose of them carefully. I have left some on this year to see if birds are likely to feed on them. (I work in conservation, hence the weedy potential of any plant is always a concern: I don't want to be pulling out curry trees AS WELL as olives, blackberries, asparagus, salvia, etc etc etc etc!!!) cheers, mudlark |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| FYI - the curry leaf tree at the Adelaide botanic gardens was relocated. It's growing as happily as ever in the herb garden. What's more, a new tree is suckering up from root left in the ground when it was moved! A testament to it's toughness. |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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Thanks for your answer, Mudlark!
I am already looking forward to my curry tree. :) I guess, I'd check on the berries too, once they appear, as I am with you there where weedy potential of plants is concerned. Jamus, great to hear about the curry tree in the herb garden. I have to go there again soon to have a look at it. I think Adelaide's herb garden is one of the best around. :) |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| yeah without a doubt. It's fantastic and we visit it often and sniff and nibble little bits and pieces. :) AThe other garden thats awesome is the class ground. WoW... blows me away. |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Hi all, would love to try one, would it grow in the Adel Hill? Have a lemon, lime and tangello (I think) growing in pots all quite happy. If so I'll look out for one. Thanks. |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Ringtail, I'm in the Adelaide Hills, too. I still haven't gotten round to acquiring a curry leaf tree. However, when I finally get one, I'd put it in a big pot and bring that inside in winter. Just in case.
Good luck! |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Just thought I'd let you know, mine has so far kept all its leaves this year, with just a little browning around the leaf margins, I am on the (Fleurieu) coast though. In my experience they are easier to grow than citrus. One other thing though, this year my tree had some kind of lerp or scale affecting one branch, which I hadn't noticed in previous years. I used a mild pest oil on them and one spray did the trick. cheers and good luck, mudlark |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Mudlark, has your tree already produced berries? Did you end up leaving some on the plant? Did the birds eat them? Isn't it amazing that it has kept all its leaves despite this terrible weather we've had? Maybe your micro climate is already kicking in? |
RE: Murraya Koenegii in SA
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| Hi Spatz, yes, I left most of the berries on the tree until they were semi-dried and the birds didn't seem to touch them, and having summoned the courage to taste them myself, I can testify to the wisdom of my backyard birds, native and feral alike, for those berries taste revolting! I've also decided that since the branchlets are so flimsy it would take a fairly agile bird to be able to eat them anyway. I am going to try and propagate some seedlings from the berries I collected so I'll let you know how I go, if I have some success you are more than welcome to some 'babies'. I was also surprised that the tree got through this winter so well, I have given it a bit more love throughout the year, with a better water and fertiliser regime, so maybe that helped. My proposed attention to the microclimate has yet to eventuate and it is still in a bit of a wind tunnel (maybe I'll get to that before NEXT winter!!), so I don't think I came claim credit there! cheers, mudlark |
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