Botanical name: Allamanda cathartica
Family: Apocynaceae
The Golden Trumpet also called Common Trumpetvine or Yellow Allamanda is a true beauty which bears flaring yellow trumpet-like flowers. It is a spectacular climbing plant whose leaves are glossy, about 4 in. long and the tubular flowers are about 3 in. in diameter. It can grow up to 8 ft if not pruned. Though a climber, Golden Trumpet does not twine, nor does it have tendrils or aerial roots. The plant is a delicate type requiring warmth, humid conditions and plenty of sunlight. It does not last very long under room conditions if these requirements are not met. Golden Trumpet is native to Brazil. Several varieties of this plant are available. They include grandiflora which has more compact, pale-yellow flowers and handersonii which has red buds and golden yellow flowers.
Golden Trumpet grows best in bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to encourage flowering. Learn more on how to ensure your plant receives the correct light in this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Water Golden Trumpet moderately during the growing season while allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out as it can lead to wilting and laef drop. Avoid waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot. Learn more on how to water houseplants.
Average room temperature between 16-270C is ideal for Golden Trumpet. Protect it from cold draughts to prevent brown leaf tips and or edges. Find out more on temperature for houseplants.
Golden Trumpet grows best in humid conditions. Employ these techniques to raise humidity for the plant.
Feed Golden Trumpet with a phosporous-rich fertilizer every 3 weeks during the growing season. Withhold feeding during the growth season as growth is minimal. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.
Prune Golden Trumpet by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. Removing dead blooms encourages more flowering. Cutback the plant after flowering to control growth and to encourage new growth from which the flower buds arise.
Repot the Golden Trumpet at the beginning of the growing season in a pot one size larger than the previous one only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to avoid waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot.
Golden Trumpet can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings. Take stem cuttings of about 4-6 in. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 nodes. Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting. Insert the cutting in moist free-draining soil. Cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect in order to promote rooting. Place the set up in a warm brightly lit spot. Allow the plants to be well established before transplanting.
Underwatering is the cause of wilting and leaf drop in Golden Trumpet; water the plant moderately and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season.
Cold draughts will cause leaf drop in Golden Trumpet. Protect the plant from cold draughts and maintain warm temperatures.
Too low humidity will cause brown leaf tips and edges in Golden Trumpet. Employ these techniques to raise humidity for the plant.
Several reasons can lead to no blooms in Golden Trumpet. These are too little light, feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and underwatering.
Naturally, older leaves turn yellow and fall off. Excessive yellowing is due to waterlogging of the soil. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining. Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots for Root-rot.
Common pests in Golden Trumpet are Mealy Bugs and Aphids.
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) produces a milky sap which contains a strong substance that is toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. The toxin can cause severe skin irritation on senstive skin; always wear gloves when handling. Keep this plant out of reach of children and pets.
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