The nightshade flower, with its fragrant fragrance that fills the air at night, is one of the most beautiful aromatic plants that adds a special charm to gardens in the evening hours. We, on the World of Plants website, have defined the night musk flower (night fragrance), then we have determined its original habitat, then we have explained the methods of growing the night musk flower (night fragrance), how to care for it, the diseases that may affect it, and many other things related to the night flower. Night Musk, which our dear reader is interested in.
Introduction to the night musk flower
The nightshade plant belongs to the nightshade family, and is also known as nightjasmine and the queen of the night. All its names are appropriate for it, as its flowers open at night and close during the day, and emit a beautiful aromatic scent that reaches long distances. Nightshade flowers are elongated tubular and produce small white star-shaped flowers, which usually grow in clusters. This plant is classified as a tropical or sub-tropical plant. It cannot tolerate low temperatures. It can be grown outdoors as well as indoors. Its flowers bloom up to four times a year, after which it produces white fruits filled with seeds. If it is grown as a houseplant and its flowers are not pollinated, it cannot produce fruits.
The original home of the night musk flower
Tropical America and the West Indies are the original home of the nightshade plant, and its cultivation is widespread in tropical regions of the world, including Hawaii, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Western Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.
How to grow nightshade plants
- Prepare small pots 10 cm high, and fill them with suitable soil.
- Place two seeds in each small bowl, gently press down, then spray with water.
- Place the small pots in a germination tray or a shallow bowl, and maintain the temperature of the tray between 16-21 degrees Celsius to allow for germination.
- Seedlings begin to emerge after two or three weeks, at which point the germination tray can be abandoned.
- Place the seedlings outside for a short period each day; To gradually adapt to external conditions, and become ready for planting outside.
- Plant seedlings at night when they reach 7-10 cm tall, and make sure the last frost has passed.
- Dig a hole large enough to contain the nightshade seedling.
- Holding the plant by the root ball, gently place it in the hole, then cover with soil.
- Repeat this with the rest of the seedlings, with the need to space the seedlings at a distance of between 1.2-1.8 metres.
Preparing to plant nightshade plants
First: How to extract the seeds of the night musk flower and prepare them for planting
- After pollination of the night geranium flowers and the appearance of the small fruits, it is preferable to leave them on the plant until they wither and fall naturally.
- It is taken to extract the seeds contained in it, and it must be soaked for 12 hours in a small bowl of water.
- Place some wet sand or peat moss with it, press the seeds down into the pot and cover them with about 26.9 mm of soil.
- Place the container in the refrigerator for a period ranging from one to two months. After this preparation period, which is called stratification, the seeds will be ready for planting.
- It is necessary to make sure every week that the soil is slightly moist, and if it is dry, a little water should be sprayed on it.
Second: The most appropriate times for planting night musk plants
Nightshade is usually planted in spring or early fall.
Third: The characteristics of the soil suitable for planting the night musk plant
It is preferable to grow the nightshade plant in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil, with a neutral pH ranging between 6.6-7.5 PH. It can also be grown in sandy soil as well.
Watering the night rose plant
First: - Dates for watering the night misk flower
During the first year of the nightshade plant's life, it should be watered regularly, two to three times a week when the soil seems dry. Watering should be done frequently during the spring and summer months.
Second: Methods for irrigating the night musk flower
A drip irrigation system can be used, as it helps distribute fertilizers evenly over the plant.
Third: Quantities of irrigation of night musk flower
Depending on rainfall, new plants need to be watered weekly. During hot spells, soaking the ground well with up to 20 cm of water every few days is better than watering a little daily, as deep watering encourages the roots to grow further into the ground, producing a plant that is more stable and tolerant of drought conditions.
Taking care of the nightshade plant after planting
First: Fertilizers that stimulate the growth of the nightshade plant
Nightshade does not require much care, as it does not need fertilizer at all. If you want to add nutrients, it is best to fertilize it only once in the spring using regular flower fertilizer, or by dissolving half a teaspoon of 15-15-15 fertilizer in a gallon of water and pouring the mixture on the base of the plant between late spring and late fall. This fertilizer contains a balanced mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Second: Diseases that may affect the night musk plant and their treatment
A. Leaf spot disease and leaf rust
This fungal disease causes leaves to distort and fall. When you notice circular spots on the plant's leaves, it is too late to treat it. For prevention, the fungicide must be applied as a protection when the leaf buds first appear, then again after one to two weeks. The leaf rust fungus produces a powdery residue on the underside of leaves that ranges in color from yellow, brown, and even purple, and causes deformation and leaf fall. Any infected leaves and any fallen leaves at the base of the plant should be removed.
B. Spider mite
It is one of the common pests of nightshade plants, and the color of these pests ranges from brown to red. It is difficult to see with the naked eye due to its small size. It attacks the leaves of the plant and feeds on the juices inside them, causing the plant to change color and appear bronze or grey. The plant's leaves sometimes become scorched and begin to fall off. The spread of the disease can be treated and prevented by using an insecticide to kill the insects.
C. Phytophthora fungus
This type of fungus causes the death of the plant roots and damage to the stem, as the plant stem appears peeled, and the plant leaves appear drooping or discolored. The main cause is excessive watering, so the soil must be kept moist, but not excessively.
How to harvest nightshade flower plant
It is preferable to leave some flowers on the branches until they dry. The nightshade plant produces small fruits called white berries that carry seeds inside. When they mature and become dark in color, it is preferable to wear rubber gloves when harvesting to protect the hands from the toxicity of the flowers and berries. Then collect the dry berries and put them in a paper bag, and shake the bag to open the dry berries and remove the seeds in them. Then take the seeds out and put them in another envelope, put it in a box in the refrigerator and store it until use.
Tips for caring for nightshade plants
There are many useful tips for caring for nightshade plants, including the following:
- It is preferable to plant the nightshade flower in a sunny spot, exposed to at least 10-12 hours of sunlight daily. If it is grown indoors, it is preferable to place it on a sunny window sill.
- In the event of frost or severe cold, the nightshade plant grown in containers must be moved indoors, because it does not tolerate conditions of extreme low temperatures.
- Nightshade should be pruned to remove dead branches, encourage new growth, more flowers, and maintain a certain size and shape of the plant.
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