I am looking for a source for Murraya koenigii. The leaves of this plant are used in southern Indian cooking. They are called curry leaves or kari leaves and are bright green with a bitter/sour taste and a distinctive odor. (This is not the same plant as the 'curry plant' with silvery, curry- powder-scented foliage sold by herbalists.)

I´m also looking for Indian Curry Leaves, but in Germany, Cologne. Maybe, I can get by this way an answer, how to get them just here. I Know them, since I stayed in Sri Lanka, commissioning two hydraulic powerstations, some years ago.
I like to cook this sri lankan food myself, but without Curry Leaves, it´s not so tasty. Maybe anyone can help me with an adress, where I can order them.
Thanks

Jürgen Freyer

I have a good size curry leaves plant and this winter I have it in my house I live in Greenville, South carolina winters are cold. This year I have noticed small white insects clinging to the stems of the plants and is covered I hae washed then and sprinkled some ust on it. Can you please give me information on how I can cure this pland and make it look healthy It is very dear to me.

Thanks for your help in advance and give me full details of how to care for it it has grown off shoots form the base of the pot also which I am planning to transplant in spring please send information on the best time and how to transplant.

Sincerely

R.P. Rama

I am interested in curry leaves. Does anybody offer seeds or dried curry leaves like dryed herbs in yars all over the world ? I would also like to have addresses of supliers for curry plants( live trees ) from europe.

Sincerly

MEXO

My best source for finding dried curry leaves is if you have a Hare Krishna shop nearby. They usually sell them!

Good Luck!

Send SASE TO Alan Smith 7341 121st terrace nth.,Largo Florida 33773 USA Please mark it Curry leaves. Alan.

Hello to all the "Curry leaves" lovers.

Can any one tell me if the curry leaf tree can grow from seed.
If these can be grown from seed, a source to obtain same will be welcome!

Thanks for nay body that can send me info on this direct to my email address.

Julian

I would like to know more about Curry Powder : Origin of this condiment. Its History. The uses of the curry powder in food preparation and medicine . Also I would like to know what kind of plants are used to prepare this powder and how to cultivate each plant.
I apreciate your information.
Thanks, Ana Isabel

We too are looking for a supplier of curry leaves in UK. We have recently returned from the middle east where they are in abundance. Failing any supplier in UK i will try and set up a supply of plants from there to be grown and propergated here. I hope they are allowed to be imported into this country and are politically correct.

Burns

In the past I purchased a curry leaf bush locally (here in Richardson Texas) and was dissappointed at how slowly it grew. In fact eventually it died.
I have a friend who also has one and he is also having trouble getting it to thrive. Is there something I might be doing wrong?

Have just got a terrific Sri Lankan cookery book, but almost every one specifies curry leaves. Have not seen any in our small country town - any NZ curry fanatics know of a source in Auckland / Hamilton?

Great to know there are so many curry leave lovers out there! I cook a lot of South Indian/Sri Lanka food (having just moved here from Bangalore). One can buy leaves fresh in the Asian markets in San Jose, for anyone who is out here and looking, but I would like to grow my own tree. Anyone know of a CA supplier of seedlings?

I am also on the lookout for any farms that sell the plant in the CA area or portland OR area of USA. if any one knows it then please post a reply.

I usually buy my curry leaves at one of the Indian grocery stores in Manhattan located on E. 28th street and surround- ing area. They have fresh and dried curry leaves but the dried leaves do not have the strong flavor of the fresh and more must be used when frying. They are especially good when fried in mustard oil and, of course, added to whatever dish you wish for a terrific and distinctive taste.

does anyone know about the difference in curry leaves? apparently there is one variety of plant that has a much stronger flavour and has to be used much more sparingly. Here in Sydney, Australia, supplies of fresh currry leaves can be found at Graham's Place, corner Angus&Brodie st. Birrong.
Good cooking

We have been using curry leaves in our curries for about 10 years. Our trees came from off-shoots from the roots of trees origininally imported from Sri Lanka. They are a great additive to any curry recipe. Anybody interested in leaves or small trees please feel free to contact us. They grow quite well here in northern NSW.

I own a curry leaf tree and I live in Springfield, Illinois. Initially, the tree seemed to be doing quite well but recently in the summer months it appears the leaves and branches are drooping a bit. The tree is potted and I do fertilize with Miracle Grow when the soil is dry. What can I do to prevent this appearance?

I am trying to grow a curry leaf plant here in Northern California. The leaves are available at Indian stores but I can't find a nursery that sells the plants. Does anyone know if I can use root hormone on the end of a sprig to start growing the plant. My last resort would be to buy a plant from the catalogue if all else fails.

Greetings from Melbourne, Australia. We have had a curry leaf plant in a pot. We bought a 9inch high plant from an Indian grocer in melbourne. Apparently the seedling came from sunny Queensland.
We planted it in a large (20 inch across) pot. We shade it in winter and every year it flowers in late spring and seeds in summer. I have planted the seeds which have produced healthy young plants. Trim the seedlings to produce more branches and you can keep trimming the plant in late winter for luxurious shoots in spring and summer. I use organic fertiliser - pellletised chicken poo and it seems to do the job.

I am desparate to get a curry leaf plant,we live in Cornwall and I am finding it very hard, any suggestions would be grateful.

Thanks

I live in Northern California and would like to know if the curry leaf plant is available in Northern California. Does anybody know if there are any seeds available to grow this plant.

I have recently bought a Curry Leaf plant here in San Diego, Southern California. The place where I got it is called
Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery in Vista. They also accept mail-orders. They even have Allahabadi guava and Indian
Mango and Banana plants, if you are interested.

Their phone # is (760) 724-9093

Here is a link that might be useful: Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery, Vista, CA

Hi,
I live in Toronto , Canada. Can any one tell me a nursery where I can find the Curry leaf plant ?

R.P.Rama,
The small white imsects are most likely Mealy Bugs.
The safest way to remove them is to touch them with
a Q tip dipped in alcohol. If heavily infested,
the entire plant could be sprayed with the alcohol.
Mike

Can anybody have an idea regarding
Curry leaves as a hypoglycemic food?

If yes, please kindly let me know. I would appreciate your help.

Thanks,
nirmala

I live in St.cloud Minnesota. Is there a nearbuy nursery that sells the above plant.

hi! i live in hawai`i. can any one tell me if curry leaves are available in here. thanls

Can anyone tell me what is the exact spacing to be followed for planting of curry leaves in a plantation. Please mail me relating to installing irrigation systems for curry leaves and other crops to enhance their yield potential.(we use the modern systems for irrigation like inline micro systems)

Hello! Does anyone know where I an order dried kari (curry)
leaves? I have not been able to find them here in Alaska.
Please provide address, phone number, or email address of
sources.

Thank you!

hi, I live in country NSW in AUstralia. Not far above the vic border. I am having a heap of trouble trying to find curry leaves to cook with. I have decide to try growing a plant. But then there is the trouble of finding one to grow. Anyone with any ideas please help

In response to mathy (ma99pal@hotmail.com) who is looking
for a curry plant in Hawaii:

Look around the UH Hamilton Library. There is a farily
large plant growing there. Enjoy!
Manika

Please let me know the phone or address of the grocer in the vicinity of Orlando, FL who sells fresh CURRY LEAVES

Thanx
Kola

Hi,

Does anyone know of any nurseries in the northern California
bay area which sell curry leaf plants ? Fed up of running to
the indian stores every time we need a fresh bunch.

Thanks

I have a curry leaf plant - 12" tall. Lately the leaves
have been drooping. The plant looks sick. New branches
are growing but they also drrop. It is kept in a well
lit room with indirect sunlight. I would appreciate
if you could send me info. on how to revive my plant.
Thanks.

Hi!

I'm interested in growing curry leaves. I live in
Northern California, and am not sure if the curry
leaf plant can withstand the winter temperatures.
Can someone advise? Also, are there any nurseries
in Northern California that sell these plants?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Uma

We live in Canada does anybody know where can we get a small curry leave plant and actually we have a small plant we do not know hat kind of fertilizer we should use.
thanks in advance

"These plants like 65 degrees Farenheit and above generally. They like Direct or Diffused sunlight. Water them only when they have dried up soil. Water them throughly, and provide adequate drainage for the pot.

"Generally, they should not be given fertilizer during the winter and fall months. Watering alone should suffice. If the leaves start to turn yellow, then a little fertilizer can be given. But during the Spring and Summer months, they should be fed on a regular basis (approx. 2-3 times a week).

"The one reccomended by the growers is Peters brand fertilizer with a ratio of (20-10-20). They prefer it to Miracle grow with the same ratio becaue Peters has less salt buildup.

"When transplanting the new plant from its greenhouse container, use a 4-inch clay pot and use potting soil."

This has been an amazingly long thread on Curry Leaves! At
the risk of drifting "off topic", can somebody tell me why
they are almost never called for in recipe books yet seem
to be so widely used by knowledgeable subscribers here?
What taste difference do they impart, is it cruitial? Is it
why my home curries never taste like the ones in the restaurant,
whatever recipe I have followed?

A private answer would likely be appreciated by the forum
and very much appreciated by me.

Hello!
I'm really intrestet with Indian Curry Leaves.
Lately in Malaysia we find difficulties in getting fresh Curry leaves.For the matter I would like to know more about
curry leaves.
I like to know about technical aspect of making dry /frozen
curry leaves.If any body can help please do so.This will help my research on curry leaves.
Thank You.

please can anyone tell me of a UK nursery selling the plant or seeds.

gratefully, jay

Richard,
The problem is usually the cookbooks.i've experienced it too.
For 'convenience' they usually omit the curry leaves.

Also,they aren't used generally in curries though the name is so.They're used in Indian soups and stews.If you ever come across recipes like 'sambar','rasam',etc you'll find them.

This thread is very useful. Let me add my 2 cents worth.
Recently I got my Curry leaves plant from "Exotica" nursery in Vista (Southern California).
The phone number is (760) 724-9093.
The web site's URL is http://www.bonusweb.com/exotica/.
The plants seem to be healthy.
Rest....check out the web site!
P.S: They ship the plants...so, non-californians can check it out too!

To those who are apprehensive about weather conditions:I have a 10 ft high curry leaf tree, 12 years old in Melbourne, Australia. It was 9" high when I got it, covered it with a plastic shopping bag, during Autumn and Winter months-at night- for the first four years, after transplanting it from pot to ground - to prevent frost. Caution: remove the bag when the sun shines in winter months or the tree will burn. We do not get snow- in the area I live. I feed it worm juice, from my worm farm

Crazy as it sounds, try dog food(one cup powdered in a mixie) and mix it with the soil around the plant. It worked for me and my curry plant is quite healthy. I do this about three time per year, here in southern Texas. The secret might be the bone and blood meal in the dog food. Good luck.

Hi,
I'm trying to find out some details about the plants which give us the curry leaves..anything to do with it's history.Thanks a lot.

Radica

Could you please let me know as to where I could obtain one kilogramme of oil distilled from this plant?

Anyone from Canada find any plants here ? I hear from friends that it is a perfect accompaniment to goat meat dishes.

A year back, a friend of mine gave me a wilting curry leaf plant that had shed all its leaves.

I cut the stem tip which seemed to encourage side branches. Now I have healthy 2 ft tall plant which is growing vigorously. I pinch leaves whenever required.

I feed it with compost, steer manure and fish emulsion once in a month, just like I feed other plants.

I plan to take it indoors in winter (though it never snows here in Cupertino, CA). I am curious to see it flower and seed.

I have grown the jagged leaf variety here in central NJ for about 20 years. Plant them in your garden after night temperatures stay over 45 F and bring them in when temperatures want to drop below 45 F. Do not let them sit in water. It seems they go into dormancy in-doors during the winter. They will initally drop leaves and regrow new from their top crown area. Strangely, I have killed several over the years by giving them a too sunny a window spot during the winter months. After two to four years of growth, they produce seeds that will drop off about a month after you bring them in in the fall. Plant the seeds in the same pot about 1/2 inch down and you will have new plants soon.

I have found this plant resistant to mealy bugs. The only infestation seems to be a scale that seems systemic to the plant once it is inside about two months. They grow on the underside of the leaves along the vein line. Initially, these scale are very small and almost unnoticable because of their transparent, part of the leaf appearance. They continue to grow and multiple to such an extent that you cannot get rid of them adequately by hand. On a warm winter day, at least once during our winters, I take them outside for a hand spraying of Malathion and an hour or so later a water wash before bringing them in again.

The leafs have a pleasant fresh and stronger curry flavor then the dried available in indian spice shops.

Enjoy, Terry

Where does one obtain a Curry Leaf plant in New Zealand??

Please help.

Thanks.

Siva

Based on a few responses to my 8/1 note I would like to add that the curry plant leaves are added to food as a garnish as well as enhancing the greater curry flavor one gets from using fresh curry powder in the marinating and cooking process. That the fresh leaves alone would result in a weakly flavored curry dish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Web

I live in the Bay Area, CA and would like to know if anyone knows of any store that sells fresh/dried curry leaves. An exact store,address or phone number is much appreciated.

A little over a year ago I bought a 2 ft. curry leaf tree (Murraya Koenigii)
from an Indian grocery. It looked pretty much like someone had cut off a
single branch of a "real" tree and rooted it. It never grew and I had such a
problem with thrips with it that I took it inside to try to get them under
control (I'm in AL,border of zones 7b and 8a).It took quite a few
applications of insecticidal soap but I finally got them under control. By
that time cold weather had set in so I left it inside under 2 light fixtures
each with 2 cool-white flourescent tubes. I draped aluminum foil over the
fixtures to help reflect the light onto the tree.Last spring I decided to
just leave it there as I didn't want to battle the thrips again ( they
attack a lot of my "leafy veggies" so I knew they'd be around).Early fall
all the branches started falling off, starting at the bottom. I thought I
was going to lose the whole tree,but a bit after this started,a new branch
started growing near the base of the tree (I thought it might be an offshoot
or something,but after checking I determined it is an actual branch) and
started growing rapidly! Before I knew it it had reached the lights (which I
kept only a couple inches from the top of the old,woody branch) and the
growth tip had burned off. I guess this was fortuitous as then that branch
itself started branching, and the plant looks a lot better (well, except for
the old woody branch, which did start growing slowly,and whose tip I cut
off--since its lower branches fell off, it looks like a miniature palm tree
curved off to the side of the new branch, which has grown straight up ).I
have continued to nip new growth points,but the new branch has continued to
grow to almost 3 ft and I have now raised the fixtures to the maximum height
in the current set-up.

I have 2 questions:

Can I allow the tree to continue to grow higher (at least for awhile- I'd
like to actually be able to harvest the leaves for use in cooking on a
regular basis) under the 4 tubes placed just a couple inches away ? I'd
have to modify the current set-up,but that's ok with me. What I worry about
is that the plant won't receive enough light near the base leaves. I don't
see any sign of that happening now--the leaves down there look normal--but
what's the limit? Otherwise I guess I'll just keep nipping out the growth
tips as they appear, tho I'm not sure what this will eventually look like!

The woody branch sticking out to the side looks a little weird, tho I can
live with it. Should it be pruned off,and if so, at what time of
year,i.e.,now while the plant is still putting on new growth, or what ? The
only reference I could find to such a situation said to prune off the NEW
growth,not the old. But the new growth liiks a thousand times better than
the old ever did.

Thanks for any help you may offer!
Peg Daniels

Hi Peg,

I don't think there is any harm in letting your tree get
taller. They do get to be about 8-10 feet tall in nature if
I remember correctly. Sounds to me like you're doing just
about everything right to keep it going. Should warn you that
most of the trees I've seen out in nature have been fairly
sparsely branched - but then again, they don't receive the
kind of TLC that your plant is getting.

If you ever want your tree to have babies, I've
heard that water you use for cleaning shrimp (the kind with
shells on) works wonders. Not quite sure how it smells though!

Good Luck.
Suja

I read your story about the curry leaf plant and the side branch. There is no harm in pruning. Actually, the more we prune the growing tip,it produces more side shoots and the tree grows more profusely. We should be careful asto how often we prune the tree. Back home, in India, it is done twice a year. Commercial users come and break off the tips and the growth is really very good. So, good luck and happy growing.

We have a curry leaf plant in a pot, about 4 ft. high, purchased from an Asian grocer in Melbourne about a year ago. Very recently my husband brushed his face up against it and has received a very severe allergic reaction necessitating hospital treatment. Is anyone aware of similar topical allergies to this plant?

I bought a small curry leaf plant some weeks ago. Now it produced a lot of dark blue-black fruits. Does anybody know anything about their toxicity? I am a little bit concerned, when I read Priscilla Taylor's event. The taste is similar to the leaves, roasted-burnt, slightly sweet-sour. Are they used in the original countries? can I use them as seedlings?

Many thanks
Willi Grab

Where can I purchase a curry leaf plant or seeds in the Toronto area? Thanks Monica.

Willi,

Used to eat those berries when I was younger, and I know that the birds used to eat them too. I don't know how much luck you'll have growing babies from them. The seedlings I have seen always come from the roots.

-Suja

We can export any quantity of any pack size of Curry Leaves, Fresh by Air or Courier.

Hi there

I live in Melbourne, Australia - just moved here from the west coast (Perth) actually. I am hoping somebody will help me out with details on how to obtain a curry leaf plant as well as good Indian grocers (preferably inner-city) where I can purchase all the ingredients that I need for South-Indian cooking.

Thanks

Dave

I found a supplier of curry leaf plants in Ontario. Thanks so much Monica.

I am looking for the wholesale prices of curry leaves as well information on food brokers who deal with curry leaves. Anyone with information please let me know. Thank you very much.

I'm looking for a Curry leaf plant to buy in central Florida.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.vinayexports.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Pacific Tree Farms

Here is a link that might be useful: Murraya Koenigii

Here is a link that might be useful: IShopIndian Website