Ylang ylang
Cananga odorata
Caractéristiques de la plante
- Cananga odorata : Ylang ylang
- Family : Annonaceae
- Origin : India to Philippines
- Height in its natural environment : 25 m
- Hardiness : 5°C
- Flower colour : yellow
: Height : about 15cm (depending on the season)
Medium grower
Description of the plant
Very rare plant!.............
Ylang ylang means "the flower of flowers" and we understand why!
First of all, its flowers are a firework of colors: first white then green before reaching their famous yellow with a base tinting of red. And above all... what a perfume... Perfumers are after it: peppery in a mixture of narcissus, jasmine, carnation, difficult to describe, you must experience it yourself... And once initiated, you will be addicted for life! Fortunately, its bloom can last a good part of the year!
We get from its flowers the essential oil so sought after in cosmetics, and from its leaves a distillation with aphrodisiac, anti-stress and anti-insomnia properties. The Indonesians are not mistaken and spread Ylang Ylang on the bed of the newlyweds ... In the Philippines, the flowers are woven into necklaces as ornaments or to arrange around holy images.
Ylang ylang grows fast, very fast, you will not be able to do without it!
Caution!
Ylang ylang is a small sensitive being reserved for expert hands and persevering characters.
Conseils de culture
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
For an indoor planting
A true houseplant, place it in a warm and bright place, like a veranda or behind a window, direct sunlight suits them perfectly.
For an outdoor planting
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
Pruning
This plant is very easy to prune, which will make it branch out.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!