Pikake, also known as Hawaiian jasmine is plant which is famous for its lovely fragrance and beauty. The plant grows well in drained soil and loves hot climate. The pikake flower plant needs to be added in the gardens to enhance the beauty of gardens. In this article we will surround ourselves how does pikake grow, its care tips soil climate type it needs etc.
What is pikake plant?
The name pikake has been derived from a Hawaiian word which means peacock, possibly this name is
give because the pikake resembles with the peacock feathers but small in size.
How Pikake flower look like:
The Pikake flower is typically small and oily and arranged in the clusters that makes the plant attractive. It is also an aromatic plant and has sweet fragrance.
Features:
1. Botanical name: Jasminum sambac
2. Family: Oleaceae.
3. Type: shrub
4. Dimensions 2-3 feet wide and 6 feet tall.
5. Growth rate moderate in spring and summer seasons and slow in winters.
6. Color of flowers white and star shaped.
Different Types of Pikake:
There are four different types of pikake flower that can be distinguished in Jasminum sambac.
1. Single flowered variety:
It has white petals that are ovate to acute, with a 3 ⁄4– 11 ⁄4-inch diameter flowers. This is the variety
commercially grown in Hawaii as a lei flower.
2. A semi-double variety:
It has flowers with elongated white petals forming a flower 3 ⁄4–11 ⁄4 inch in diameter. This variety is
not suited for lei making, because the stems on the flower buds cannot be pushed into the flower bud
below it due to the greater number of petals.
3. The Rose pikake:
It is a double-flowered variety with white, rounded petals. The diameter of an open flower is 3 ⁄4–11
⁄4 inch. The name comes from its structural resemblance to a rose flower. Rose pikake produces fewer
flowers per plant than the single or semi-double varieties.
4. A multi-whorled variety:
It has petals so packed that it resembles a small, white, 3 ⁄4–13 ⁄8 inch diameter carnation. This
variety, like the rose pikake, produces fewer flowers compared to the single and semi-double varieties.
How To Grow Pikake in Hawaii
- The ideal conditions for the pikake plant are long days and warm weather Pikake grows best in
dry locations, and flowers blossom in full sun. the shade is not good for the plant. - The temperatures range between 80– 90°F (27–32°C) in daytime, and 70–80°F (21–27°C) for
night. Lowland, leeward areas free for cool breezes are suitable. - Lowland, leeward areas free from cool mountain breezes provide these conditions.
- The soil type suitable for the plant is rich loam, silty clay loam, or sandy. The soil pH should be
6.0–6.5.well irrigation is required.
Soil Required for the Pikake plant:
The soil required to grow the pikake plant need to be rich, silty clay or sandy loam. To make such soil
organic content like dry leaf mould, moss, humus acts as best supplement.
How does Pikake Grow:
The plant best grows in the areas of full sunlight, avoid the shaded places for better blooms. The best
site for the plant is to place it near the window here it receives abundant sunlight. Also it enhances the beauty and supplements the fragrance to the room as the plant is aromatic.
1. Pruning:
The best time usually considered for pruning is November, December and January when the plant is not producing flowers. The pruning is done to facilitate the space for harvesting.
It is also advisable to prune the plant once or twice during the flowering months as it helps in
promoting flowering. Pruning will help in getting rid from lateral branching and thus helps in good
flowering.
2. Spacing:
The spacing recommended and followed for the growing the pikake plant are 1.5 m x 1.5 and 1.5 x 2 m. It is also supported by the research of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore.
Growing pikake:
If you’re enthusiastic to plus beauty and scent to your garden, the pikake would be the best choice. Certainly it needs some efforts, proper care and patience, but this plant can convert your garden into beautiful bush with aromatic and vibrant flowers.
The plant can be grown by following the below steps
- Preparing soil.
- Maintaining the nutrient level of soil.
- Watering the plant (usually when top soil is dry water the plant).
- Suitable location i.e choose the place where sun shine lasts for long avoid planting at
shaded places. - Pruning the plant.
By following the above mentioned steps successful growth is possible and the plant is sufficient
enough to impress the guests.
Essential care tips / how to care:
To care for the plant it is essential to follow the following:
- Watering the plant: Pikake plant needs the moist soil which means that the soil needs to be watered daily ,it should be noted that water only when the top soil is dry and avoid the overwatering. The over watering will damage the plant.
- Fertilize the plant: Feed your plant by fertilizers once or twice during the growing season.
- Monitor for pests: If you find that your plant is exposed to the pests use pesticides, and check that the plant has good humid environment if you find environment not suitable then change the plant location (suggested for only potted plant).
How to Propagate the Pikake plant:
There are two ways of propagation of pikake plant:
- Layering method: This method is preferred for home garden and is not viable option for commercial purpose. Using this method only few plants can be grown from the parent plant.
- Jcutting method: This method uses the small vegetative parts of the parent plant and thus large number of new plants can be grown from the cuttings os the parent plant. It is very useful in commercial propagation.
Can pikake plant be grown from seeds?
Yes the pikake plant can be grown from seeds for this follow,
- The seeds needs to be soaked for full day.
- Sow the seeds in the seed-starting mix.
- Cover the pots with plastic and place the pots in full direct sunlight.
- Wait for some days
Wrap up:
In conclusion, you came to know how does Pikake grow. The pikake plant is the beautiful plant and stands attractive and fragrant, the plant enhances the decoration of your garden thus makes it the good choice to add to the home garden.
Its smooth and delicate flowers add this to the counting of most beloved flowers in the garden and
landscape. Alongside to its aromatic characteristics and ornamental use it continues to be used in
the traditional and cultural ceremonies. It is best and wonderful to enjoy the charm of the pikake
plant flower.
