Krishna Kamal: Plants with unique-looking pretty flowers
Image by anncapictures from Pixabay
Krishna Kamal is an evergreen climber who produces unique-looking beautiful flowers that add beauty to the garden. They are easy to care for and require very little maintenance. The plants are also said to have medicinal values and the ability of the plants to grow and thrive in pots makes them a great addition to the garden.
Quick Details of Krishna Kamal
| Other Common Names | Passionflower, Passion vines |
| Type | Subtropical flowering climbers |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Flowering | Summer |
| Light | Bright direct sunlight for 4-6 hours a day |
| Water | Deep watering twice a week |
| Temperature | Warm climatic conditions |
| Soil | Well draining acidic soil |
| Fertilizer | Any organic fertilizer |
| Habitat | Subtropical regions |
| Toxicity | Nil |
| Common Diseases | Cucumber mosaic virus, Aphids, Beetles |
| Scientific name | Passiflora incarnata |
Krishna kamal Buying Instructions
- Buy a healthy plant.
- The stem of the plant should be sturdy and strong.
Overview of Krishna kamal
These sub-tropical evergreen vines are native to America, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. They belong to the family Passifloraceae. These tendril-bearing climbers are woody or herbaceous and produce beautiful flowers which are white with a pink, purple, or blue crown. They have a purple stigma surrounded by a yellow stamen which is surrounded by purple filaments that are held by five sepals of the flower. The corona has a unique arrangement.
These pentamerous flowers produce fruits that are edible. These flowers have religious significance. Each part of the flower signifies something according to Hinduism. The flower has a reference to Mahabharata. The center part portrays the Sudarshan chakra of Krishna, and the three threads at the center portray the holy trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. the petals signify the Pandavas and the filaments represent the Kauravas. In Christianity, the flower represents the sufferings of Christ when he was crucified. The crown looks similar to the thorn crown that was worn by Christ during the crucifixion.
Usage and Advantage of Krishna kamal
- The tea made from the flowers of Krishna kamal is said to be calming and reduce insomnia.
- The fruit is edible and consumed and is also used in making juice.
- Can be grown as an ornamental plant.
- The roots are used in traditional medicine.
General Care for Krishna kamal
Soil
They prefer a well-draining sandy nutrient rich slightly acidic soil. Add compost to the soil before planting the Krishna kamal plant for better growth.
Water
The plants require proper watering. They cannot survive with underwatering. Deep water the plants twice a week. While watering the plants make sure that the water starts to drain from the bottom drainage hole.
Sunlight
They prefer bright direct sunlight for at least 4-5 hours. They cannot withstand harsh sunlight. so place them in spots where they can receive bright direct sunlight during the day.
Temperature
These subtropical plants require warm climatic conditions to grow. The optimum conditions are between 15-25 degrees Celsius. Protect the plant from harsh summers and cold winters.
Special Care
Mulch the soil with a thick layer of organic compost to help in the growth of the plant. Add compost to the soil before placing the plant. Place the plants away from harsh climatic conditions. Prune the plants to promote branching. Pruning can be done during winters. Remove the deadheads to promote growth.
Fertilization
Add an all-purpose organic fertilizer once a month.
Pests and other problems for Krishna kamal
If not grown in proper conditions, Krishna kamal can be attacked by various fungal pathogens. Care should be taken to provide them with bright direct sunlight for at least 5 hours a day. Maintain the moisture in the soil and the plant. Prune away dried leaves and any infected leaves for proper aeration and to prevent the spread of the disease. In case of any fungal infection, spray a fungicide or neem oil.
Another commonly seen infection in the plant is the cucumber mosaic virus. This can cause mosaic-like variegation in the leaf. The becomes deformed and causes wilting and death. Remove the infected plant and destroy it.
Pests like aphids and beetles can also attack the plant. In case of mild infestation, manually remove the pests from the plant. Use a mild pesticide or insecticide to get rid of them. Neem oil can also be used.
Propagation of Krishna kamal
The propagation can either take place through cutting, seeds, or layering.
Cutting is the most common and easiest method used in propagation. Take a mature, healthy 6-inch long cutting and dip it in a rooting hormone and plant it in a nutrient-rich potting mix. The roots should start to develop within 4-6 weeks.
Seeds can also be used for the propagation of Krishna kamal. Soak the seeds in water for 2-3 days before sowing them in a well draining acidic soil. Place the pots in a warm place where they can receive ample amount of sunlight. the seeds should germinate within 3-6 weeks. The seedlings can be transplanted to new pots.
Air layering can also be done to propagate these plants. Select a healthy growing part of the plant and remove the leaves from the top part of the stem and bury the stem in the soil. Water them regularly. The roots will start to develop in a few weeks. This can be done in late summer.
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