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fragrantgrower

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 ago

    I 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Thank 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

  • Dar Sunset Zone 18
    10 years ago

    I 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Hmm...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

  • Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Aloha! Found your source. ;)

  • Dar Sunset Zone 18
    10 years ago

    Thanks 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 Author
    10 years ago

    My 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

  • kemistry
    10 years ago

    Ugh Robert. Now I want this plant. Lol.

  • Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Yay! 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 ago

    Guys, this plant really gets huge, you can see the ylang ylang vine in the bg for comparison.

  • Dar Sunset Zone 18
    10 years ago

    Robert, 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 Author
    10 years ago

    I 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 ago

    Thx 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 Author
    10 years ago

    I'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 ago

    Thx 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Yup! 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 ago

    Which 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Ha! 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 ago

    Yeah 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Ha! 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 ago

    OMgoodness 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 ago

    It'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 ago

    Rosey,

    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 ago

    Okay '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 Author
    10 years ago

    Kemistry,

    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 ago

    I 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Getting 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 ago

    called 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Sorry 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Starting 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 Author
    10 years ago

    10:30 pm and still no scent.
    Maybe tomorrow?

    -Robert

  • Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    It'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 Author
    10 years ago

    The 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 ago

    Aw 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Yup! Fragrant during the day and night but for only one day. :)
    Got another one open and smelling like bananas.

    -Robert

  • fragrant2008
    10 years ago

    i 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 ago

    I 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 Author
    10 years ago

    Hi 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 ago

    Hi 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 ago

    I 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 ago

    I 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 Author
    9 years ago

    Hi 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 ago

    Hey 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 Author
    9 years ago

    Hi 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

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