Aegle Marmelos, Bael Patri (in polybag)

Height- 1 foot

COMMON NAME-  Bel

It can attain maximum height of 30 feet.This plant becomes a tree in four years and start yielding fruit. The tree can survive extreme hot weather also. Its branches are with spines, hence it’s very difficult for a person to climb the tree for plucking its fruits. Spines may hurt you, if you do not take proper precautions about it.

The Bael fruit is highly useful during summer and provides relief in heat stroke. Its fruit juice is commonly sold in North India. The fruit has medicinal importance also. Patanjali manufactures Bael candy out of this fruit. Leaves of this tree are worshipped as an offering to Lord Shiva in India.This plant is drought tolerant and widely used in hot climate areas. The plant does not need any special care or fertiliser.

Watering & Sunlight:It likes sunlight but can grow with minimum 4 hours direct sunlight availability also. Blooming may reduce with less sunlight. Sunlight availability for maximum time is must for more blooming. This plant can easily tolerate high temperature upto 48⁰ C. We should water it, whenever the soil of your pot becomes dry.

Soil:     Drainage in pot is necessary by making sufficient holes in bottom. To make the ideal potting mix, 20 % drainage media (river sand/ Leca/ Perlite/ Pumice or rice husk- use any one of them) in potting mix must be available. If you give sufficient water and vermi-compost, it shows more vibrant and bright green colours. It’s a long life plant. Even if you don’t give fertiliser, it shows satisfactory growth. If we have planted it in open ground, we should add vermi-compost after six months.

Uses:             Medicinal and spiritual use. Leaves of this plant are used in worship of God Shiva.