Harvesting Good
Senna (Sinai Makki) is an evergreen plant (perennial herb) that can be a tree or a shrub with high endurance, comprising of beautiful green leaves and yellow flowers. It has been praised for its healing and medicinal properties and can also be used as an ornamental plant with distinctive foliage. Its quiet a resilient plant.
Dried and soaked leaves are boiled in water to make an amazing drink.
Land is the foremost consideration for growing anything, let alone sinai makki. Land for growing senna needs to be chosen carefully.
- Wild senna plants grow naturally in a moist soil.
- Well drained sandy (loam) soil.
- Optimum pH is around 7 – 8.5.
- Exposure to direct sunlight is preferred, as with most plants.
- Has good resistant to high soil salinity.
Water is life and hence an essential component of any plant. However different plants have varying amount of water requirements.
- The senna plant is resistant to drought but responds well to a benign supply of water. As well watered plants grow to taller lengths like 10 feet or more.
- Although the plant can survive on low amounts of water or on rain alone, and is resistant to droughts.
Growth of the plant depends on several conditions but it is a fast growing plant and is perennial. Can be maintained to be either a long shrub or a tree.
Flowers usually bloom in spring and summer, but are often short lived.
Plant is heat and drought resistant and can even grow in partial shade.
Proper planting is essential and is usually planted in fall. Scarified seeds can be planted at a depth of 3 to 5 mm, in either autumn or early spring at around 3 feet apart. The plant has an inherent ability to spread and can be invasive.
Use overnight soaked seeds for plantation for best results.
Pollination
The plant is usually pollinated by honey bees and bumble bees.
Feed the plants with organic fertilizers in spring and at the start of plantation.
Lime is often used for correcting soil pH (consult local licensed agronomist).
Nitrogen is most important and is necessary for germination & production, potassium and phosphorus are also desirable.
Climate is an essential and predominant factor for the growth, survival and quality of any type of plant, as different plants require different climatic conditions to thrive. The plant can grow well in tropical and Mediterranean climates among others and prefers warm weather, and can be rain fed.
The first harvest is done after 2 to 3 months of sowing and subsequent harvests at around 30 to 100 days interval. Leaves and pods are usually dried for 7-10 days.
Pruning
As with majority of fruit trees, plant reacts positively to pruning, but is not necessary, simply prune dead or damaged branches or to shape into a tree or a shrub.
Threats
Senna is usually resistant to many diseases and pests and is a robust plant.
Diseases & Pests
Aphids pest and leaf spot may occur particularly for a plant with less favorable conditions.
Last Word
Start with good research and knowledge of your surrounding land and weather conditions and access to water. And pursuing plantation with caution and patience and using organic and natural methods for best production. Rest is with God.
