A Step By Step Guide for Jasmine/Mallige Plantation in Karnataka - Farming Tips

Thin pointed , snow white Jasmine is famously known to be the queen of flowers from centuries ago. The feather touch flower spreads its unique exquisite fragrance winning hearts. Jasmine, locally called mallige in Kannada, Karnataka is widely grown in Udupi and Mangalore districts. Jasmine plantation is an bread earning occupation to many families from ages ago and even to this day you can find families with the same routine. Every smallest occasion and gatherings in this belt is accompanied with jasmine garlands irrespective of people of any religion.

Watch the beauty of Jasmine/mallige plantation here.

Step by Step Guide for Jasmine/mallige Cultivation:

1) Climate and Soil : The flowering plant is grown well in warm climates with good sunlight. Too much sunlight is not recommended. It requires watering just to maintain consistent moisture maybe around every 2 days. Over watering hinders the growth of plant . Also the yield usually reduces during monsoon season. The soil in the areas of Udupi and Mangalore is perfect for jasmine/mallige plantation. The best part is, the plant can be healthily grown in grow bags in your balcony or terrace.

2) Pest Control: The plant is usually attacked by a worm which eats up all the leaves making the plant too weak to survive. Neem oil is the best medicine for it. Whenever you find the edges of leaves to be cut off be cautioned that the worm is eating up your plant. Dilute neem oil with water and spray over the plant. Diluting is very important, concentrated neem oil is too strong for the flowering plant.

3) Weed Control: Pluck away the weeds near the roots of the plant as there are high chances of pests. Also the weeds pull out all the soil nutrition making the plant weak.

4) Organic manure: Do not use any chemical fertilizer. At the beginning the yield seems to be high when chemicals are used, but it reduces gradually and makes the plant addicted to it. Organic manure is best for healthy and even growth yield of the plant. Do not dump away your kitchen waste, especially rice water. Best practice is to make a large tub and collect all the kitchen waste in it. Dilute it and pour mugful to plants regularly. Avoid the citric wastes as it kills the worms growing in the compost.

5) Right Time To Manure : Never manure the plants while its rainy and damp. Remember jasmine grows well when its sunny and just wet enough for its growth. So if manure it given during rainy days the plants are likely to get rotten. Sunny days are the best time to provide manure which increases the yield too.

Jasmine Garland Making:

The fully grown flowers are plucked early in the morning before heavy sunlight. They are tied neatly using banana fiber.

Here is the video on "How to make banana fiber at home" and "How to tie jasmine/mallige"....

Different regions have different styles of garland making. Here I have listed the 3 common ways of Udupi/Mangalore region. Watch and learn :)

How To Make Banana Fiber at home? DIY