When it comes to curry plant care, there are several factors that you should take into consideration. These include fertilizer, watering, pruning, and treating. You can read this article to learn about these vital steps. Once you’ve understood the basic steps, you can easily grow a delicious, healthy curry plant.
Fertilize
Fertilizing your curry plant is easy and can help you grow the best curry leaf possible. You can use a variety of homemade fertilizers, which are rich in nutrients and are often cheaper than commercial ones. These include crushed egg shells, sour yoghurt-buttermilk, coconut ash, Epsom salt, cow dung, and aquarium water.
A balanced fertilizer is the best option for growing curry leaves. It’s recommended to use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content to promote the fastest growth. Additionally, you should also feed your plant with calcium, magnesium, and iron. These nutrients can be added to the soil through a granular fertilizer or a homemade mix. Fertilize your curry plant at least once a month.
Water
Water is essential for the proper care of curry plants. They need to receive ample water, particularly in humid conditions. However, they can also develop a sticky coat on their leaves if the humidity level is too high. To avoid this, some owners apply diluted dishwashing soap or a drop of olive oil to their leaves, then wipe off the excess. For best results, Husain suggests mixing one tablespoon of biodegradable soap with one gallon of water. This solution should be applied to the leaves once a week.
Curry plants need less water during the winter season, so you may want to move them indoors. Ideally, you should place them near a south-facing window. This will keep the temperatures comfortable, and provide them with sufficient sunlight. If you do not have a south-facing window, you can also cover the roots with a plastic bag.
Prune
When you prune your Curry plant, you can control the size and shape of the plant. The amount of pruning depends on the age and type of plant. For instance, if you want a small, round curry tree, you should cut off any leggy branches. However, if you want a tall, slender Curry tree, you should prune it from the bottom. The best time for pruning your Curry plant is late winter and early spring.
To prune a curry plant, you should first ensure that the soil is half dry. You should also make sure that the soil has sufficient drainage. In addition, you should ensure that your plant is in a sunny location. After you prune it, remember to water it every year. You should only water the top three to four inches of the plant. Also, you should transfer it to a new pot every year.
Treat
A fungus known as downy mildew is a common problem for curry plant leaves. It can cause the plant to become deformed. Fortunately, there are fungicides available that can be used to prevent the spread of this disease. This problem usually affects young plants and can be prevented by applying copper-based fungicides to the leaves of the plant. Another option is to use cow urine or turmeric powder, both of which are natural pesticides that will kill pests.
Aphids can also be a problem for the curry plant. Aphids love the sweet taste of the plant and suck out huge amounts of sap. They also excrete half-digested food underneath the leaves, which attracts mould. In addition to aphids, you may also notice small insects congregating on the leaves and stems of the plant. If the infestation is heavy, you’ll also notice dead aphids on the leaves.
Iron nails
Curry plants don’t require much fertilizer but they can benefit from adding some iron to the soil. You can add one or two tablespoons of iron sulfate to the soil every three months, which will encourage new growth and healthier foliage. You can also feed the plant with Epsom salt. This helps the plant grow faster. Adding this to the soil is a great way to feed your plant without the risk of it rotting.
Another important part of curry plant care is to add extra oxygen to the soil. When the soil is too deficient in oxygen, the leaves of the curry plant may start turning yellow. By adding iron nails to the soil, the plant will get more oxygen from the soil. Since iron nails require oxygen to rust, they help the soil retain more oxygen.
Temperatures
Curry plants need moderate temperatures and plenty of sunlight to survive. They also need well-draining soil. Waterlogged soil is harmful to the plant and will cause root rot. You should always keep your plant at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Overwatering will result in death.
Curry plants need natural sunlight to survive, so try to give them at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It is also necessary to limit water while they adjust to warmer temperatures. Their soil should have a slightly acidic pH level. A pH level of 5.5-6.5 is ideal. If the soil is too acidic, brown spots will appear on the leaves.
Pests
Aphids are common pests of curry plants, which thrive in the lower parts of the plant. If you find an infestation, you can use soapy water, horticultural oil, or pesticides to control them. But aphids can come back once you stop treating them. To prevent this from happening, check the leaves and stems of the curry plant carefully. If you see any signs of pests, remove them immediately with a sharp knife, then treat the plant with pesticide.
Aphids can cause severe damage to the plant, so it is important to find a treatment for them. Aphids are one of the most common plant pests, feeding on a variety of plant species. They cause diseases in many species, and their damage can reduce the growth of plants.