How to Grow and Care for Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Indoors
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Botanical name: Allamanda cathartica
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Golden Trumpet, Common Trumpetvine, Yellow Allamanda
Description
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) also called Common Trumpetvine or Yellow Allamanda is a true beauty which bears flaring yellow trumpet-like flowers.
Common Trumpet is a spectacular climbing plant whose leaves are glossy and the flowers are tubular. Though a climber, Golden Trumpet does not twine, nor does it have tendrils or aerial roots.
Yellow Allamanda is a delicate type of plant requiring warmth, humid conditions and plenty of sunlight. The plant does not last very long under room conditions if these requirements are not met.
Size
Golden Trumpet is a climbing plant which can grow up to 20 ft if left unpruned. The leaves are about 4 in. long and the tubular flowers are about 3 in. in diameter.
Golden Trumpet Origin
Allamanda cathartica is native to Brazil.
Varieties
Several varieties of Golden Trumpet are available. The most popular varieties are grandiflora which has more compact, pale-yellow flowers and handersonii which has red buds and golden yellow flowers.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add this striking beauty to your collection, beautiful Golden Trumpet Plants are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Aloha Tropicals
Allamanda cathartica Care Indoors
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) care indoors is easy when it is provided with the right growing conditions. Yellow Allamanda thrives in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Allamanda cathartica requires regular grooming to keep it tidy, to encourage new growth and to promote flowering. Repotting is needed when it outgrows its pot as it blooms best when slightly root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Golden Trumpet grows best in bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to promote flowering.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the Yellow Allamanda receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Common Trumpet will also grow under a grow light where natural light is inadequate.
Watering
Water Golden Trumpet moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Cut down on watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it lead to wilting and leaf drop.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Temperature
Average room temperature within the range of 16-270C is ideal for Golden Trumpet. Temperatures outside this range can negatively affect the growth of the plant.
Keep the Common Trumpet away from cold draughts to prevent sudden drops in temperature which can result in brown leaf tips and edges.
Humidity
Golden Trumpet thrives in humid conditions. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity for lush growth. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Golden Trumpet with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
Withhold feeding for Allamanda cathartica during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn.
Pruning
Prune Golden Trumpet by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. Removing dead blooms encourages more flowering.
Cutback the Yellow Allamanda after flowering to control growth and to encourage new growth from which the flower buds arise.
Repotting
Repot Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) at the beginning of the growing season in a pot only one size larger than the current one when the plant becomes pot-bound.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
Soil
The best soil for Golden Trumpet should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant. Buy quality Potting Mix for Common Trumpet online from Etsy.
Propagation
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Golden Trumpet from stem cuttings
Take stem cuttings of about 4-6 in. from a healthy Golden Trumpet. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from. Strip off the lower leaves.
Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting and insert 2 in. of 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 away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
Allow the new Allamanda cathartica to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Peppyflora
Allamanda cathartica Problems Indoors
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) problems indoors are due to cultural faults mainly in watering, temperature, humidity and lighting. The problems are wilting, leaf drop, yellow leaves, lack of blooms, pests and diseases. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Wilting and dropping leaves
Wilting and dropping leaves in Golden Trumpet is due to underwatering which results in too little moisture for the plant to take up to the leaves.
Water the Yellow Allamanda liberally during the growing season and maintain the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Leaf drop
Leaf drop in Golden Trumpet is due to cold draughts which cause sudden drops in temperatures. The plant grows best in warm temperatures within the range of 16-270C.
Keep the Common Trumpet Plant from cold draughts like windy doors and windows, air conditioning units and others to maintain warm temperatures within the range of 16-270C.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Golden Trumpet are to too low humidity especially where the indoor temperatures are very high.
To raise humidity for Allamanda cathartica, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
No blooms
There are three possible reasons why Golden Trumpet will not flower (bloom). One possible reason is too little light.
Move the Common Trumpet to a brighter spot where it can receive bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to encourage flowering or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
The second possible reason why Golden Trumpet is not flowering is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which encourages foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
The third possible reason why Allamanda cathartica is not flowering is underwatering.
Water the Common Trumpet moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Yellow leaves
Naturally, the older leaves in Golden Trumpet will turn yellow and fall off. Excessive yellowing is due to root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil.
Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Mushy brown-black roots are indicative of root-rot.
You can try to save the plant by root surgery. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
To prevent root-rot, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Pests
Common pests in Golden Trumpet are Mealy Bugs and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and control the pests appropriately.
Is Golden Trumpet poisonous?
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 also cause severe skin irritation on senstive skin; always wear gloves when handling Yellow Allamanda.
Keep the plant out of the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
