Rauwenhoffia siamensis / Melodorum siamensis
Has anyone ever sniffed/grown Rauwenhoffia siamensis a.k.a. Melodorum siamensis? I believe the Thai name is Nom maew. I can't find much info online about its scent beside it having a fine perfume and intensely fragrant flowers. Do they have a perfume sweet scent or is the scent more fruity?
Any info would be appreciated. I know it is closely related to Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) so I'm hoping it will have an awesome scent! :)
Thank you!
-Robert
This post was edited by robert1971 on Wed, May 1, 13 at 12:13
Comments (45)
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoI have no idea what the flowers smell like, but this plant is pretty easy to grow. It probably has the same hardiness level as M. alba (zone ~9b). I left mines outdoors this winter and there was no die back at all. It does go deciduous here though.
Here's a growing tip; It started leaving out in April.
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoThank you for the info, musaboru!
Did you grow yours from seed?
The one I'm getting (hopefully it will arrive tomorrow) is a two year old seedling so I know it will be tiny and won't bloom for 3-5 years (yes, I am insane). :)
-Robert
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10 years agoI couldnt tell if it was seed-grown or rooted cutting, but I got it as a very pathetic plant from AT (not a very recommendable mail-order nursery by the way). In late 2011, it was about 7" tall, and now it is between 4' to 5'. So far, the growth somewhat liana-like, similar to an Artabotrys.
Curious, where did you order it from?
Also Robert, I'm so glad you are getting a Michelia alba! This is perhaps my utmost favorite for fragrance.Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoHmm...not familiar with AT but maybe I'm being dense. Laugh.
I ordered mine from Logee's. They don't have enough in stock to offer it online. You have to call them to order one. The item number is R1841-2. Cost is $12.95. They state in their catalog that they are 2 year old seedlings and will flower in 3-5 years.
Yea. I've been reading about how awesome M. alba is for years on this forum so I finally caved. Laugh.
Course when it becomes a huge tree I'll be crying. :)-Robert
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoThanks Robert. That price is so tempting for me to get a back up plant. But I know if I order anything from Logee's, I always have to get several plants to make it worth the shipping costs, not sure if that is a good idea for me to order. lol
Aloha is one of those notorious nurseries and I couldn't find any other source for it except there.
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoMy plant from Logee's arrived today! About 11 inches tall. The main stem is thicker than I thought it would be. They also cut it so it should branch nicely. When re-potting I found out it has a pitiful root stock but knowing how fast your plant grew I'm not worried. :)
Now we know 2 mail order sources for this plant!
-Robert
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoYay! Happy to be a bad influence! Laugh.
Potted mine in the 5:1:1 mix and have been giving it filtered sun and it's putting out new leaves and the existing leaves have gotten darker green.-Robert
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoGuys, this plant really gets huge, you can see the ylang ylang vine in the bg for comparison.
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoRobert, now I wonder if what I got is really Rauwenhoffia. I know for sure we have two different plants. Yours has darker stem and the leaves appear to be smooth.
I'm ,pretty sure what I have is in an Annonaceae though. So does yours but they appear to be different species or genus?
I searched around for pictures. And I think yours looks more like the pictures of the real Rauwenhoffia. :O
This post was edited by musaboru on Tue, Jun 11, 13 at 23:07
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoI agree your plant looks different. Not only are my leaves smooth they are also alternate and yours looks to be opposite.
Hopefully whatever we both have will have awesome smelling flowers! :)-Robert
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoThx Robert for pointing out the alternating leaf. Now I know for sure my plant isn't a Rauwenhoffia. The plant I have does remind me of a young Cheriymoya though. I wonder if it is one of those or a related species.
I included a pic of "nom maew" I found on a Thai site. Looks a lot like yours Robert.
Ugh, I'm so upset, I wont be ordering from AlohaTropicals anymore.
Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.nanagarden.com/%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A7-136787-4.html
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoI'm sorry. :(
Well I hope whatever you have does produce fragrant flowers and now I definitely won't be ordering from AT!
-Robert
Dar Sunset Zone 18
10 years agoThx Robert... So is this an excuse for me to order the real deal from Logee's now? XD
I can't even find pics of an Annonaceae species with opposite leaves. Most of them appear to be alternate leaf. But the floppy new growth, that is very like a Cherimoya. It produces floppy new growth too. The leaf feels the same (hairy like a Champaca leaf) but Cherimoya leaves are a lot large and rounder.
This post was edited by musaboru on Tue, Jun 11, 13 at 23:57
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoYup! You're gonna have to call up Logee's and order the real deal! Laugh.
I'm sure with your sun and heat yours will be blooming before mine in no time! :)-Robert
No-Clue
10 years agoWhich one of you stole Rauwenhoffia siamensis out of my shopping cart?! You stinker! Yeah you know who you are. They had 6 this morning and now I don't see it in my cart! :(
See what you did Robert? LOL
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoHa! I didn't know the plant's popularity was going up so!
Did you really try to order this online or are you joking?
For Logee's you could only call and order (it wasn't available online).
Hope you weren't ordering from AT since you might not be getting one like musaboru experienced!-Robert
No-Clue
10 years agoYeah well we are all addicts here!
Of course I tried to order online. This is no laughing matter. It's serious business trying to possess every fragrant plant!
Anyway, I was reading all the fragrant plants but then when I added the coconut orchid to my cart I noticed Rauwenhoffia Siamensis was gone! Poof! So I called them up and she said she will just take my order online so I just bought the two for now. I am not sure it will go through but I will know next week.
Logge's is in CT right? AT is here in Southern CA. I would NEVER buy from them after my experience in person w/ them last year. I walked away feeling icky... like I have been had. And I don't like that feeling. I'm pretty sure I posted about them on the Plumeria forum last year. They are not very honest in my humbled opinion. So nope not AT.
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoHa! Looks like all the rauwenhoffias have been cleared out of Logee's thanks to my post! ;)
And yes, Logee's is in CT.
Would love to one day visit it in person! :)-Robert
No-Clue
10 years agoOMgoodness can you imagine going to Logee's in person? I might have to squeeze that in if I ever go back to the East Coast to visit family. I have family in Hamden CT... which is not too far from Logee's.
My DH is going to be so confused. One day I want to go back to Hawaii (didn't want to go back again b/c we have been there too many times, but now that I got hooked on Plumerias it's back on the table baby) and the next I want to go to CT. LOL
roseyd
10 years agoIt's to funny to think that people actually plan trips across country to visit CT??? Logees is beautiful - but it's a two or three hour shopping trip... then what? - you'd have to fill up a 2 week vacation with CT? well there's camping, and fishing... and hiking.... and ... casinos... but, really? vacationing in CT ... just sounds kinda' boring. I'm much prefer Hawaii :D Beach, sand, pretty people in suntans... :)
No-Clue
10 years agoRosey,
It's funny really... our kids are so used CA and Hawaii that they think it's boring now. So last year we took them back to DH's hometown to WI and they had a ball! Being city kids they were so spooked the first night we stopped by the log cabin type motel by the lake. It was pitch dark and dead silent, so quite the contrary to what they grew up with. But after a few nights, they got used to it and really loved it! Still begging to go back this summer.
You know you're an addict when you want to plan your vacation around your plants shopping! LOL
kemistry
10 years agoOkay 'fessed up No Clue, how many Rauwenhoffia did you order? I no longer see it on Logees' website. Good, now I don't have to buy it. Lol. : _)
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoKemistry,
Don't you listen to me? You have to call them! Now hurry up and do so before No Clue buys them all! Laugh.
-Robert
No-Clue
10 years agoI only bought one I swear! Although its so cheap I could have bought them all. But I am learning that there are many more fragrant plants so I don't need to hoard them!
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoGetting closer! Has anyone sniffed a bloom yet?
-Robert
This post was edited by robert1971 on Fri, Aug 9, 13 at 11:58
fragrantgarden99
10 years agocalled Logee's about this plant and got a really rude customer service person. She said they no longer carry the plant and refused to answer any questions on whether they plan to stock it in the future. oh well.
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoSorry to hear that. Weird. Every time I've called Logee's I've always gotten a very nice person.
Since they sold out even before they offered it widely I'd say the chances are good they'll start some more from seed. :)
I'm still waiting for mine to bloom but Kemistry's has and he says it smells like bananas but doesn't have any funky undertones like some people say Michelia figo has. He loves it.
I probably won't but hopefully soon enough I'll find out for myself!I'll post pics when it happens.
-Robert
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoStarting to open!
Kemistry says it's only fragrant for one night so I'm assuming tonight will be it.
I'll be sniffing and let everyone know what I think of its scent.
So far no scent.-Robert
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years ago10:30 pm and still no scent.
Maybe tomorrow?-Robert
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoIt's the afternoon and I can smell the banana scent!
It's a nice scent but not my fav.
I like fruit scents like lemon, citrus, grapefruit, peach and apricot myself. :)-Robert
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoThe flower is only fragrant for one day and night like Kemistry said.
Today it no longer has a scent and turned brown.-Robert
This post was edited by robert1971 on Mon, Aug 26, 13 at 11:25
kemistry
10 years agoAw Robert I really like the banana smell of this plant. Too bad it's not one of your favs!
I didn't know that it's fragrant at daytime too. I'll keep that in mind the next time it blooms. : )
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoYup! Fragrant during the day and night but for only one day. :)
Got another one open and smelling like bananas.-Robert
fragrant2008
10 years agoi think i will give this one a miss then if only fragrant for one day as i simple do not have the room for another tender plant :( was tempted tho ;) thank you for doing the research for me Robert :P Yours looks a beautiful healthy plant
PPIM
10 years agoI am a new member. I was looking to buy the Rauwenhoffia siamensis plant and found that the discussion from everyone here is very helpful. Thank you very much. I ordered right away from Logee's last week and I got the plant today. It looks healthy. I planted in the ground since I live in SW Florida so I hope the plant will be okay during Winter. I posted the picture of the plant I received today in case any one would like to see.
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author10 years agoHi PPIM!
Welcome to the forum!
Congrats on your plant. Looks like you got a large healthy specimen.
Hopefully your winters are not too cold where you live.
Let us know what you think of its scent when it blooms for you. :)-Robert
PPIM
10 years agoHi Robert:
Thanks for your note on October 22, 2013. I took this picture today. My plant went through the winter but it does not look as good as my last picture. I hope I will have flowers this year.PPIM
davidlmo
9 years agoI purchased one from logee's in April. It came in at about 6 inches and has never done a thing aside from looking more horrid each day. It didn't look too good when I received it. Guess I should have complained.
Absolutely zip information about this plant on the net.
I am growing it in my screened deck with South exposure. I have about 20 tropicals and all the others look great. I have a lot of experience growing tropicals. Plumeria, hoya, Hebe, desert rose, shrimp plant, cashmere bouquet, oleander, mandavilla, brugmansia and bouganvilla are its neighbors.
I have already repotted it once about 3 months ago. I keep it slightly moist and gave a mild fertilizer twice.
I will try to get a picture. Any tips on care - other than increase my Zone number by 3 or 4?:-) TIA.
BTW, my wife and I visited them and Wayside Gardens celebrating our 5th Anniversary. Yes - we spent a lot of money.:-)
davidlmo
9 years agoI purchased one from logee's in April. It came in at about 6 inches and has never done a thing aside from looking more horrid each day. It didn't look too good when I received it. Guess I should have complained.
Absolutely zip information about this plant on the net.
I am growing it in my screened deck with South exposure. I have about 20 tropicals and all the others look great. I have a lot of experience growing tropicals. Plumeria, hoya, Hebe, desert rose, shrimp plant, cashmere bouquet, oleander, mandavilla, brugmansia and bouganvilla are its neighbors.
I have already repotted it once about 3 months ago. I keep it slightly moist and gave a mild fertilizer twice.
I will try to get a picture. Any tips on care - other than increase my Zone number by 3 or 4?:-) TIA.
BTW, my wife and I visited them and Wayside Gardens celebrating our 5th Anniversary. Yes - we spent a lot of money.:-)
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author9 years agoHi David,
I'm sorry you're having problems with this plant.
Maybe you did get a diseased one or something?Anyway I no longer grow this plant but I had no issues with it.
I shook off the existing potting mix that it was growing in from Logee's and repotted it using the quick draining 5:1:1 mix and gave it dappled sun under the arbor and it happily grew.
Maybe others who are still growing this plant can chime in and help you.Good luck!
-Robert
Here is a link that might be useful: Logee's tips
sunny_orchard
9 years agoHey Robert, is there a reason why you are not growing this plant anymore?
I got some seed from a friend and start 10 in 2012. Eight of them sun burn to death as they birth out of the ground. 4 are growing very slowly. They are about 6 inches tall at 2 summer old. All of them has flower this summer (1 year old). They are a lot like american paw paw. Mine has not fruit yet. Their fruits are yellow and hang in cluster like paw paw. Fruit are sweet, small and not very meaty. Seedling are very intolerance of direct sunlight. They need cross polination from a different plant to form fruit. In Vietnam we call them Dủ dẻ.
Kenny
Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
Original Author9 years agoHi Kenny,
I no longer grow it since I personally don't care for banana scented flowers. :)
Thanks for sharing your tips on growing them from seed for other people growing this plant!
-Robert
sunny_orchard