Rajnigandha

Rajnigandha (Polianthes tuberosa): This tall slender perennial which is up to 3 feet in height with its long leaves, a tuberous root and long flower stems whose flower buds will open 2 and 3 at a time over the course of a week. The collection of white waxy petals flowers, which release an intense fragrance after dusk. Just one or two open blossoms will fill the air of an entire garden. The Rajnigandha has elongated underground tubers that spread slowly over time. Long, strap-like leaves of green or blue-green rise from the tubers to form an unimpressive clump of basal foliage. After a long, warm growing season it produces tall, spiky stems lined with plump, dusty lavender buds. These open to show white, starry, tubular flowers. The foliage becomes fully dormant as winter's cold. Grow Rajnigandha in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The rhizomes can survive in the ground as long as soil does not freeze. In cold zones they can be lifted and stored in a cool, dry place over winter. Tubers stored in sand tend to fare best. They require at least four months of a warm growing weather to produce flowers.

Growing Conditions :The Rajnigandha likes hot sun, and loose, rich, moist soil. It is recommended that northern growers start them in pots four to six weeks before the last frost date and move them outdoors when the nights warm into the 60's. If the summer is short, the pots may have to be brought in to a sunny windowsill. Bulbs take about 3 months to produce flowers, which occur over several weeks. Bulbs can be left in their pots, or dug up and stored, in a dry place and over-wintered. The parent bulb will form baby bulbs and once these are thumb size, they can be grown next season. Regional Names : Telugu : Hindi : Rajnigandha Tamil :

My Experience with Alliums (Polianthes tuberosa)