Purple Allamanda — อัลลามันดาสีม่วง (Alaman da si mwong) — Allamanda blanchetii (syn. Allamanda violacea)
Purple Allamanda, known in Thai as อัลลามันดาสีม่วง (Alaman da si mwong), is a beautiful flowering plant that can be found in Hua Hin, Thailand. Here’s a brief description of this plant:
1. Scientific name: Allamanda blanchetii
2. Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)
3. Origin: Native to Brazil, but widely cultivated in tropical regions
4. Appearance:
— A climbing or sprawling shrub
— Can grow up to 3–4 meters tall
— Leaves are dark green, glossy, and arranged in whorls
5. Flowers:
— Large, trumpet-shaped blooms
— Vibrant purple or lavender color
— Usually 7–10 cm in diameter
— Bloom throughout the year in tropical climates, with peak flowering in summer
6. Growing conditions:
— Thrives in full sun to partial shade
— Prefers well-draining soil
— Drought-tolerant once established
— Grows well in coastal areas like Hua Hin
7. Uses:
— Ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes
— Often used as a climbing plant on trellises or fences
— Popular in tropical and subtropical regions for its showy flowers
8. Care:
— Regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage flowering
— Fertilize during growing season for best blooms
— Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between waterings
Purple Allamanda adds a striking splash of color to Hua Hin’s gardens and landscapes, making it a popular choice for both public and private spaces in this coastal resort town.
Flowering Season
Purple Allamanda typically blooms throughout the year in tropical climates like Hua Hin’s, with peak flowering often occurring during the warmer months. In Hua Hin, you might expect more prolific blooming from March to October, coinciding with the hotter and rainy seasons. However, some flowers can be seen year-round.
Pruning
1. Best time: Prune after the main flowering period, which in Hua Hin would likely be in the late rainy season or early dry season (around October-November).
2. Method: Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. You can also shape the plant by cutting back long stems to promote bushier growth.
3. Frequency: Light pruning can be done year-round, but major pruning should be limited to once a year.
Propagation
1. Stem cuttings: This is the most common method.
— Take 4–6 inch cuttings from semi-hardwood stems.
— Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
— Plant in a well-draining potting mix.
— Keep moist and in a warm, bright location (but out of direct sunlight).
— Roots should develop in 4–6 weeks.
2. Layering: This can be done while the stem is still attached to the parent plant.
— Choose a low-growing, flexible stem.
— Make a small wound on the underside of the stem.
— Bend it to the ground and cover the wounded area with soil.
— Secure with a small stone or pin.
— Keep the soil moist. Roots should form in a few months.
3. Seeds: Less common, but possible.
— Collect seeds from mature seed pods.
— Sow in a well-draining potting mix.
— Keep warm and moist until germination occurs.
Given Hua Hin’s climate, propagation can be done year-round, but you might have the best success during the rainy season (June to October) when humidity is high and temperatures are warm.
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