For centuries, mythology has encouraged the use of Rudraksha beads as rosaries. Believers attribute them to Lord Shiva since they are frequently seen beaded in chains among worshippers. The constant spotting of these beads has been attributed to a variety of health benefits as well as the emergence of a new Indo-Western fashion statement over the years.
Did you know that when Rudraksha seeds are fully mature, they are encased in a beautiful blue outer fruit? as fascinating as they are, do you know that you can cultivate them on your own?
The Rudraksha plant is scientifically known as Elaeocarpus Ganitrus, according to Delhi's Rachana Jain, Founder of Indraprastha Horticulture Society (IHS). Rachana recalls seeing a handful of them growing outside the prestigious Delhi University's campus area, but says it's uncommon to find the plant growing in households.
She has spent the past 23 years, since the inception of IHS, raising awareness and educating people about low-cost home gardening and organic plant propagation methods.
Here's a Step-by-Step Instructions to Grow Rudraksha at Home Using the Air Layering Method
Getting the plant ready
"A single Rudraksha plant, commonly available at local nurseries as well as online these days, can produce tens to hundreds of saplings," Rachana explains. All you have to do is peel a 2-inch section of the bark's skin away.
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One thing to remember, according to Rachana, is that the stem should be of at least "pencil thickness or more." With the help of a sharp knife, the appropriate cut is made just a few centimeters below the nodal region of the plant.
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It is projected that fresh growth will emerge in this area. Make two round cuts within a 2-inch distance of each other for this.
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Make a slit between them & peel the skin off with your nails.
It's Now Time to Scratch the Bark a Couple of Times
"When you injure anything, the healing process is accelerated. The same principle applies to propagation, as scratching the stem causes the plant to actively regenerate and accelerate the growth process."
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The air layering technique is next, and Rachana recommends utilizing moss balls for this. "Coat these in cinnamon powder or honey, and then soak them in water for a few hours. Each ball is utilized to make one layer of air."
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This, in the opinion of this gardening enthusiast, is one of the most crucial components of the process for preventing the plant from drying out.
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The moss ball is then used to cover the skinned bark below the nodal area.
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A square plastic sheet is then placed over the ball.
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Jute or plastic string can be used to wrap the sheet around the ball and tighten it.
Getting the Most Out of It
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A new sapling can be observed sprouting from the Rudraksha stems in no time.
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Roots can sprout from the air layers formed by leaving the plastic covering intact for 3 to 7 weeks.
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This is the time to cut the tree's section off and transplant it.
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The moss ball coiled around the bark is delicate and should be handled with care.
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Your sapling is ready to be transferred into a pot after careful unwrapping.
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The height of your plant can be used to decide the size of the pot.
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A pot half the height of the plant is usually recommended to give it enough room to flourish.
"I propose that terracotta pots are the best as they are porous & avoid water stagnation," Rachana explains about picking the right pot for your transplants. “Plastic pots are less eco-friendly and more inconvenient."
The importance of paying attention to detail in the process cannot be overstated. The plant requires a lot of nutrition when it is growing. She suggests mixing basic garden soil with cow dung or compost for this.
"Coal ash, which is easily obtained from a local ironmonger," she notes, "is a wonderful natural source to meet the plant's nutritional requirements."
The Rudraksha plant should be kept in direct sunlight once it begins to develop, as this is where it flourishes best.
The home-grown plant matures into a fully grown tree in a year, ready to be harvested for its seeds.
