Bel Tree, Bilva Patra, Bel Patra

Description

About Bel Tree

Bael is botanically known as Aegle marmelos ant it is a deciduous tree with trifoliate leaves. The branches sometimes bear long straight spines. The bark is shallowly furrowed and corky. Bael is an indigenous fruit tree of India.

Bael grows in wild and semi-wild in the North India states of Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. It is considered holy in Hindu religion and the leaves are used as offerings for Lord Shiva. The flowering season starts in late May. It has pale yellowish-green sweetly scented flowers. The slightly pear-shaped fruits are green in colour and turn yellowish on ripening.

 

Common Name	Bel Patra
Maximum Reachable Height	Up to 10 meter
Flower Colour	Yellowish green
Bloom Time	April-May
Difficulty Level	Easy

Planting And Care

Light Requirement

More than 6 hours of sunlight a day is ideal for plants to grow well and natural direct bright light for the rest of the day.

 

Soil

The soil should be well-drained and fertile, rich in organic content for growing plants.

 

Watering

Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.

Apply 4 cups (Approx. 200 ml) water when topsoil (1-2 inches) in the pot feels dry to touch.

As a rule of thumb, Water the plant thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in the winter and rainy season.

Do not over-water the plant.

Apply water preferably in the morning or evening.

 

Application of Fertilizer

Loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.

During the main growing season feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month (Oct-Jan).

Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

 

Repotting

When a plant outgrows the current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer.

Do the repotting late evening and keep the plant in a shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable growing condition.

 

For repotting procedure ClickHere

 

Plant Protection

Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and dispose of them away from the planting area.

Spray Neem, Eucalyptus or Citrus oil for any insect/pest attack, as a primary treatment.

 

Don’ts

Do not overwater the plant especially when the pot does not have drainage holes.

Avoid applying water on flowers and leaves because it may cause fungus infection.

Bel Tree Care
Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location:

Keep the plant in Natural indirect bright Light.

Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.

Apply 4 cups (Approx. 200 ml) water when topsoil (1-2 inches) in the pot feels dry to touch.

Do not re-pot for min. 2 weeks after receiving it.

 

Key requirements to keep the plant healthy:

Sunlight	More than 6 hours of sunlight a day is ideal for plant and natural direct bright light for the rest of the day.
Watering	Apply 4 cups (Approx. 200 ml) water when topsoil (1-2 inches) in the pot feels dry to touch.
Soil	Soil should be well-drained and fertile, rich in organic content.
Temperature	20 to 35 degree Celsius
Fertilizer	Apply any organic fertilizer once a month (Oct-Jan).

Bel Tree Special Feature

Sacred plant

Bel Tree Uses

Medicinal Use:

• Bel benefits in healing digestive disorders, ulcers, headache, hypertension, diabetes, and numerous other ailments The ripe fruit works as a laxative but is not digested easily Unripe bel fruit, on the other hand, promotes digestion and cures diarrhoea
• Note: Use only after consulting the Health specialist

Culinary Use:

• The pulp is often processed as nectar or “squash” (diluted nectar)