Single Mexican Tuberose, Rajanigandha, Sedap Malam

On Oct 6, 2013, brendak654 from Anna, IL (Zone 6b) wrote:

Tuberose bulbs are one of my first spring plantings about April 15th. I bring them out from downstairs where they have rested over winter. I plant them in a row in the garden where they will receive full sun and some cultivation. The bulbs grow in clumps and before planting, if the clump is larger than my small fist, I bust the clump in half before planting. They bloom for me in August and their wonderful fragrance permeates the air about dusk and they make an outstanding cut flower. Even cut - their fragrance permeates the air just before dark. Loved by florists. I have not had luck wintering them over in the ground, so by first of October when the ground is good and dry, I mow them off with the lawn mower and lift them, shake off the dirt and place into a tall airy basket (bas... read moreket with holes - laundry basket). I keep them dry - outside/in the garage for a couple weeks and shuffle them a couple different times from one basket to another to aid in drying before taking in to store over winter. The bulbs multiply quickly from year to year. Mine, I consider, an heirloom from my grandmother.

On Aug 1, 2010, Crit from Sand Springs (Tulsa), OK (Zone 7a) wrote:

I bought the bulbs to this plant in April at a street fair here. I planted some in a large (14-16" pot) right away and about a month later some more in the ground. The ones in the pot came up and folage did very well, however has not put up even one bloom. (It is now August 1) The ones in the ground have put up several shoots of blooms. Anyone have any input as to why on that? They both are in morning shade, afternoon sun, about 20 feet apart.
The fragrence on these are fabulous. My first sniff reminded me of one of my favorite flowers, the gardenia. I absolutely LOVE these flowers and have them planted at the edge of my deck. I wanted the ones in the pot on the patio so the fragrence I had been told about would be close to where we set. I'm real disappointed it hasn't bloom... read moreed.
I would appreciate any input on these. I'm not sure of my growing area, I think it is either 6b or 7a.

On Jan 20, 2010, clanross from Lanexa, VA (Zone 7b) wrote:

I am in zone 8b (southern Mississippi) and I planted my single tuberoses in a mulched flowerbed last spring. They were beautiful. Neighbors walking by on the sidewalk in the evening knocked on the door to ask me about the plant they smelled. The soil in the bed in very good and my tuberoses seem to have multiplied (from the number of grassy stems) but I won't know for sure until I dig them up. I watered in driest summer as they are next to roses and hydrangeas. Seemed very easy and should be hardy as I ordered them from "Tennessee Tuberoses". Can't wait to see them again this summer. Like Gardenias on a stick.

On Feb 7, 2008, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

Polianthes tuberosa has had its name changed to Agave polianthes (other synonyms: Polianthes tubulata, Polianthes gracilis). Tuberoses are still popular in Mexican gardens. They have been grown commercially for bulb distributors and florists in the San Antonio area for many years. In Zones 9 and 11, the elongated tubers may be left in the ground all year. In other zones, it is best to dig them up and store the tubers like gladiolus. Mid-spring is the best time to plant the tubers. I have read that once a tuber blooms that it does not bloom again. In other words, only new tubers bloom.

On Jul 24, 2006, OldHouseGardens from Ann Arbor, MI (Zone 6a) wrote:

I've grown tuberoses in pots here in zone-5/6 Michigan for years and absolutely love them -- as gardeners have for centuries. Not only were they grown by the Aztecs and in colonial America, but they were so popular in Victorian times that in 1893 a New York author claimed that "everyone who has a garden knows the Tuberose." I hope FlamingViolet will respond here, though, with some documentation about their origin. Every reference book I have consulted -- including the New RHS Dictionary of Gardening which is widely considerd the most up-to-date and authoritative encyclopedia of garden plants in English -- state that it is native to Mexico. So I'd like to learn more about the possibility that it originated elsewhere.

On Feb 11, 2005, franksabo from Brentwood, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

In victorian times the tuberosa was a very popular conservatory plant, however it tends to grow and blossom in the warmer climates in the USA. The tuberosa needs a long growing period inorder to blossom in early to late fall.

A soiless compost is recommended. do not water till leaves appear then water freely. Planting time is around March the depth of bulb is about one inch and the spacing is one bulb in a five inchpot.

On Jul 21, 2004, azar464 from Cleveland, TN wrote:

I grow these in southeast Tennessee. They take about two years to start blooming. This region is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6A. So far I have had no problems, though for the last 2 years we have not had a particularly cold winter.The fragrance of the flowers is worth a little extra trouble.

On Sep 22, 2003, Tuberoselover from Stockton, CA wrote:

I have never smelled anything so romantic or captivating! The history of this flower also includes that when you arrive in Hawaii, the tuberose is used in the leis because of their wonderful scent and beauty. This flower is also used in many Hawaiian wedding ceremonies. This is my first year with this plant.

On Aug 24, 2003, suncatcheracres from Old Town, FL wrote:

My plants are about six years old, and have only bloomed twice. But after reading all of the above I see what I may have been doing wrong. The first year I planted bulbs in a pot and had the pot on a sunny deck by the front door in Middle Georgia and they did wonderfully. My plants are "The Pearl" and I thought I had large flowers and very sweet fragrance.

The next year they went into the ground near Atlanta (zone 7b) and bloomed sporatically, but survived 6F degrees and snow for several winters. But after the first summer they never bloomed again.

Last year they were back in a pot in part shade in Northcentral Florida, zone 8b, and then were planted in a raised bed in part shade--I have almost no full sun here. This summer they came up strong and gree... read moren, and have survived our record rainfall, but again didn't bloom.

I see I have to move them again, and probably divide them, and put them in a sunnier location. I think I will try to find some bulbs of the single variety, too. And yes I've also read that this plant is only known in cultivation, not in the wild, like some of the gingers. People and plants go back a long, long way in time.

On Jun 26, 2003, bikram wrote:

Rajanigandha or Tuberose (in English) means "The Fragrance of the Night" in Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi...

The Flowers of this plant blossom in the night and should you happen to pass by this plant in the night you will be engulfed by its sweet smell.

The sweet smell is also there in the morning. However that is the time when it is used less.

It is a unique flower - possibly the one which is used in every spehere of the Indian - Hindu life.

The flowers are also used to make the garland which is used during the marriage ceremony.

The flower has been used for centuries in India to adorn the Woman. To adorn her neck as a garland, her ears as the ear rings her limbs as bangles.

It is also used by the men whe... read moren they would go out romancing and they would usually hold a small garland in their hands as a sign of an appreciator of beauty.

It is also used to make a small boquet which may be presented by people when they visit each other...

Most aply therefore these are the same flowers that are used to create a wreath for the departed soul.

On Apr 3, 2003, Lavanda from Mcallen, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:

This romantic flower comes in both single-flowered and double-flowered versions.

These are very commonly grown in Mexico in warm patios in pots. The unique scent is wonderful, and is most enjoyed when it is warm to hot, even at night time.

I have brought cut stems inside to air conditioning and they seemed to lose most or all of the fragrance.

It is called azahar (azar) in spanish, but the word comes from Arabic, so they probably originated in the Arab world.

This is a very traditional flower to use in wedding bouquets in Mexico.