Growing Curry Leaf Plant from Cuttings, Seed (Kadi Patta)

agrifarming.in/growing-curry-leaf-plant-from-cuttings-seed-kadi-patta

Jagdish Reddy July 1, 2019

A step by step guide for growing curry leaf plant from the
cuttings, seeds
Today, we go through the topic of curry leaf plant growing from cutting and seed. We
also cover propagation of curry leaf plants from stem, cuttings or seeds. Other facts we
talk about are curry leaf plant care, curry leaf seed germination, etc.

Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) is a very important perennial tree vegetable. Its leaves are
used mostly to improve the taste and flavor of foods. Its leaves are slightly pungent and
retain their flavor even after drying. Ground curry leaf with mature coconut kernel and
spices forms a superb preserve.

Curry leaf plants are a section of the Indian seasoning called curry. Curry leaf seasoning
is a compilation of many herbs and spices, whose flavor can sometimes come from
curry leaf plants.

About curry leaf tree:

The curry leaf tree is a small bush or tree that grows 13 to just under 20 feet in height.
The curry leaf plant is tropical to sub-tropical and produces small fragrant white flowers
that become small, black, berry-like fruits. The fruit is edible, but the seed is poisonous
and should be removed prior to use. The foliage is the real standout and is arranged
alternately on the stem, pinnate and comprised of several leaflets. The aromatic scent is
spicy and heady and best when the curry leaves are fresh.

Other names of curry leaves:

The scientific name of the curry leaf tree is Murraya koenigii. Other names of curry leaf
tree are curry tree; curry leaves tree, curry plant, sweet neem, and meethi neem or
kadhi patta.

Different varieties of curry leaf:

Different varieties of curry leaves are;

(1) Regular: these grow tall and fast and look most like the curry leaf buy at the
grocery store;

(2) Dwarf: these do not grow as tall and the leaves are lighter in color and longer than
the ones you generally buy at the store;

1/7
(3) Gamthi: Gamthi is the most fragrant, has thick leaves, and grows the slowest of the
three.

There are two improved varieties of curry leaf – DWD 1 and DWD 2. Both types of these
have a good aroma. They have an oil content percentage of 5.22% and 4.09%
respectively. They are mostly cultivated in Karnataka. DWD 1 is sensitive to the winter
season. During winter its development is poor, whereas DWD 2 is winter insensitive.
This type gives a higher yield than DWD 1. ‘Senkaampu’ is a local cultivar developed in
many parts of Tamil Nadu.

Climate and soil requirements:

Growing Conditions of Curry Leaves.

You may also check Dragon Fruit Farming Profit, Project Report.

Curry leaf can be cultivated in a wide range of soils. Red sandy loam soil is ideal for
curry leaf cultivation. It can tolerate a temperature range up to 37°C. But below 16°C, its
leaves growth is affected.

Propagation of the curry leaf plant:

Let us discuss propagation methods in curry leaves;

Curry leaf propagation is mainly through cuttings or seeds. For raising seedlings, well-
ripe fruits are collected from high-yielding curry leaf plants. The seeds are sown either
in nursery or polybags filled with a mixture of 1:1:1 sand, soil and farmyard manure or
FYM. Seeds germinate in three weeks. One-year-old seedlings are planted in the major
field. It can also be propagated by root suckers process. There are a number of root
suckers close to its plants. They are separated from the main plant during the rainy
season and planted instantly in the main field

2/7
Remove hard outer shell before sowing for faster germination rate. Use fresh curry leaf
seeds for high germination rate. Sow them in excellent quality potting soil. If the
temperature is not warm around 65°F (20°C), layer it with polyethylene or keep it in the
greenhouse since the seeds germinate in warm temperature.

The seed is the pit of the fruit and can either be cleaned or the entire fruit can be sown.
Fresh seed shows the greatest germination rate. Sow the seeds in potting soil and
maintain them damp but not wet. They will want a warm area of at least 68 degrees
Fahrenheit (20°C.) to germinate. Growing curry leaf tree from seed is not an easy task
because the germination process is fickle. Other methods of germination are more
consistent.

The best season of sowing curry leaf plants:

The major season of availability of curry leaf fruits is July – August. Within 3 to 4 days
of collection of fruits, the seeds should be pulped and sown in nursery beds or poly
bags.

One-year-old seedlings are appropriate for planting. One seedling is planted at the
center of the pit.

Curry leaf planting method:

Planting in the main field is done during the monsoon period. The major field is plowed
thoroughly. Pits of 30cm × 30cm size are dug at a spacing of 4m × 4m. Farmyard
manure @10kg/pit is applied.

You may be interested in Green Leaf Manuring Advantages.

Growing curry leaf plant from seeds:

Seed germination of curry leaves
A new curry leaf plant can be easily developed from curry leaf plant seeds. The seed
germinates at temperature range around 21°C (70°F).

The process of growing curry leaves plants from seeds are explained below;

Pick curry leaf berries when they are almost ripe, becoming black color.
You can sow the whole ripe berry, but the germination process will be slow and
the success may be limited.
It is improved to squeeze the seed out of the fruit pulp and sow them in seed
raising mix.
Placing the curry leaf plant seeds in a moist paper towel for a few days before
putting them in the soil will speed up the germination process.
Cover the curry leaf seeds with soil and place in a warm place. The seeds will
germinate in about 10 to 15 days. Note that it can take longer to root if the
temperature is low.
3/7
 It is pointed out that fresh seeds will germinate simply in a few days, whereas old
seeds or dried seeds may not germinate or take a very long time. To speed up the
germination of curry plant seeds, soak the seeds in water for one day before
sowing.

Growing curry leaf plant from cuttings:

Let us discuss how to grow curry leaf plant from cuttings;

The steps for growing curry leaves from cuttings are given below:

Fill a small pot with the rooting mix, which is a mixture of peat and sand, and
water well before planting.
Insert a pencil into the soil of the pot reaching up to one inch above the base. Take
out the pencil.
Then, take the curry plant cuttings. Select a branch or stem of the curry leaf tree
which is neither flexible or nor stiff, means semi-hard.
From this branch take a cutting of pencil thickness about 5 mm diameter and
about 5 inches long with 4 to 5 leaf sets.
Cut directly above the highest bud and a slant cut below the lowest bud. Remove
the lower set of leaves leaving top 2 to 3 sets. Cut each of the upper curry leaves
into half or less.
Put the lower element of the curry leaf stem cutting into the rooting hormone
powder and shake off the extra powder. Push the curry leaf cutting into the hole in
the pot and firm it. Do not water it again.
Put the pot in a polythene bag or zip-lock bag and tie the top end and place it in
shade. In about ten days, you will see your cutting to grow new buds. Maintain the
pot in shade for a few weeks until you find that the stick has become quite firm in
the soil, indicating the root growth.

Preparation of soil for planting curry leaf seedlings:

The field is plowed 3 to 4 times to get a fine tilth. Before the last plowing, well-
decomposed farmyard manure is applied @ 20 t/ha. Pit size of 30 x30x30 cm is dug 1 to
2 months before planting at a spacing of 1.2 to 1.5 m.

Water requirement for growing curry leaf plant:

Immediately after planting process, the pits are irrigated. On the third day, the second
irrigation process is given and then the irrigation is given once in a week.

Pruning of curry leaf plants:

It is very important that you start pruning curry leaf plant early in its growth stage.
Plants that are older and have an open shape can be pruned early in the period just as
growth starts and they will still flower later in the year. We recommend pruning

4/7
annually to keep plant tight, compact and producing the greatest amount of tasty
foliage.

This curry leaf plant is about 12 inches in height, leave about 3 to 4 inches from the top
and prune it right there. Make sure you make a nice sharp cut for pruning. Within a few
weeks, the plant will generate side shoots and fill out into a mini-grove of numerous
bushy stalks with pointed leaves. That is a sign that your curry leaf plants are healthy
and thriving.

Manuring and fertilization of curry leaf plants:

Generally, the curry leaf plant is not given inorganic fertilizers. But for higher yields, its
plant can be given 10kg farmyard manure and NPK @ 60:80:40g/plant/year. The
fertilizers can be applied at the onset of the monsoon.

Aftercare
The pit must be irrigated if there is no rain. The plant must be irrigated at 3-day
intervals if there are no rains. The field must be kept weed free. The plants must be
trained and pruned to maintain a height of 1m. The plant terminal buds are removed to
encourage lateral branching. A minimum of 5 to 6 branches are kept per plant.

Curry Leaf tree care and plant protection

Pests
Citrus butterfly: Hand picking and destruction of the larvae and spray Malathion @ 1
ml/ lit.

Psyllid bug and scale: Psyllid bug and scales can be controlled by spraying
Dimethoate @ 1 ml/lit.

Diseases
Leaf spot

Leaf spot disease can be controlled by spraying Carbendazim @ 1 g/lit of water.

Spraying Sulphur compounds should be avoided.

Harvesting and Post-harvest management:

Curry leaves are picked or harvested 15 months after planting. Commercial harvest can
be started from three-year-old plants. With good management, normal yield can be
obtained up to the age of 20 to 25 years. The curry leaves can be harvested at two and a
half to three months intervals, the average yield is about 20–25 tonnes/ha

The yield of the curry leaf plant:

Fully developed curry tree can yield nearly 100 kg of leaves each year curry leaves are
picked 15 months after planting. Commercial harvest process can be started from 3-
5/7
year-old plants. With good management, normal yield can be obtained up to the age of
20 to 25 years. The leaves can be harvested at two-and-a-half to three months intervals,
the average yield is 20 to 25 tonnes/ha.

You may also read Tomato Profit per Acre.

Some facts about growing curry leaves:

Curry Leaf Plant.

The curry leaf tree should be grown in rich, well-drained soil in full sunlight or
partial shade. It does well when developed in a pot. If it is grown outdoors, it must
be located in an area that does not receive a lot of wind.
Fresh curry leaves are being completely banned in the UK, Uday Dholakia,
Chairman of the National Asian Business Association has revealed. Neither has it
been possible to identify alternative import requirements, which could
consistently ensure freedom from the pathogen and its vectors in curry leaves.
During the winter season, curry plant’s leaves might turn yellow. This generally
means that the plant is about to go dormant and might lose its’ leaves.
Native to warmer countries, curry leaf plants develop best indoors in the UK.
Choose a bright windowsill away from any draughts or radiators where the
temperature range stays above at least 12°C.

6/7
 You can keep curry leaves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two
weeks or freeze them. While dried curry leaves are also obtainable, they have less
aroma and flavor.
Curry leaves can be grown indoors in pots. They can be grown in the balcony, on
the terrace, backyard.
As an indoor plant in temperate areas, curry leaf develops and flowers from spring
through fall. In the north, it can experience a resting phase during the winter
months when the days are short.
Curry leaf is a restricted item because it is recognized to harbor pests associated
with citrus diseases. This citrus disease has cost the U.S. citrus industry billions in
lost revenue.

That’s all folks about growing curry leaf plant from the stem, and seeds. Keep growing
curry leaves!.

You may also be interested in How to Grow Hydroponic Amaranth.

7/7